Today, GA 39 and 39 Connector run lengthy courses over Quitman and Stewart Counties. Though long recognized today as such, the respective sections of GA 39 and 39 Connector north of Georgetown began as GA 375, later joined by GA 375 Connector. In all, this northern section of GA 39 runs for 32 miles from GA 27 (not to be confused with U.S. 27) in Georgetown northward to its northern terminus at U.S. 27/GA 1.

Mainline GA 39 here runs beside the Walter F. George Reservoir, holding back the waters of the Chattahoochee River, before turning east to end at U.S. 27. Meanwhile, GA 39 Connector, Georgia's longest banner route, cuts a lengthy 16 miles from GA 39 to U.S. 27 in Lumpkin. The entire route of GA 39 Connector runs parallel to GA 39 traversing the rugged badlands formed by the alluvial soils that make up Providence Canyon and Providence Canyon State Park. Like the northernmost section of GA 39, this highway also carried the GA 375 designation as GA 375 Connector, the only banner route of GA 375.

Other points of interest near GA 39 and 39 Connector include Westville, a model historic town designed from authentic historical buildings, and Florence Marina State Park on Walter F. George Reservoir.

GA 375 was extremely short-lived, so prior knowledge to document this route was not available. As a result, this route was listed as though it had never existed on the old route log from the previous site. Only with the help of GDOT was any documentation found of this route. The route only existed in 1972 and did not appear on the 1973 map due to its extremely short life. (1)

GA 375 was commissioned on June 26, 1972. Two months later, GA 375 Connector was commissioned on August 22, 1972 joining and running south of the route through Providence Canyon. On September 13, 1972, both routes became GA 39 and 39 Connector. This effectively meant that GA 375 lasted less than three months and GA 375 Connector lasted less than one month!

This map represents GA 375 during its short existance in the summer of 1972. Note GA 39 at the base of the map that will take over the route.

Overall, it is believed the creation of the two highways was influenced by tourism. Providence Canyon State Park was created in 1971, and the unusual series of canyons created tourist potential for the rural and economically disadvantaged areas surrounding it.

(1) Information contained here courtesy of Bert Brantley, Georgia Department of Transportation.