Georgia Highway 274

For those who believe that GA 274 is dead, it is alive and well. Why GA 274 is often overlooked is due to the fact that GA 274 is a very short business loop for U.S. 78 through Temple. Additionally, the route includes an extremely brief multiplex with GA 113 in downtown. In all, the entire route is only 1.1 miles long.

GA 274 is the shortest route in the state to be signed with a principal route number. The entire route includes two streets that join in downtown Temple just west of GA 113. In the near future, it is hoped that this very short route is not a casualty of either future rounds of turnbacks or GDOT's current policy of changing all principal route spurs and short highways to banner routes like they did with GA 294.

GA 274 is located entirely in Carroll County with both ends at U.S. 78/GA 8 both east and west of Temple with U.S. 78 running to the south. The street on the part west of GA 113 is known as James Street, while the street to the east is known as Sage Street. However, neither street appears to be signed.

GA 274 was established in the major road building era, appearing first around 1950. It appears that the route may have been previously part of an early alignment of U.S. 78, especially considering the route passes through downtown Temple, but this is not clear. The route was originally unpaved upon commissioning, but it is not clear when it was finally paved, though it appears it was fully paved in the 1950's. The route has remained largely unchanged since that time.

Georgia 274 Termini Gallery

All photos below by J.T. Legg.

The photos below replaced earlier photos that helped begin a separate highway ends site that were later featured on Georgia Highway Ends before being replaced with these photos. Nothing had changed since the first photos when these were taken.

Western Terminus: U.S. 78/GA 8 west of Temple
Photos include now replaced end signage, directional assembly on westbound U.S. 78 and first eastbound reassurance shield. All photos taken July 27, 2004.
Eastern Terminus: U.S. 78/GA 8 east of Temple
Photos include end signage, directional assembly eastbound on U.S. 78, relatively new old-style reassurance assembly and junction assembly on U.S. 78 westbound. Photos taken January 25, 2005.