USS George Bancroft Roadside Attraction

Roadside attractions have a special place in my heart. Maybe it’s because I love things that are quirky and unusual; the things that you don’t see every day.

Or maybe it’s due to the budget-conscious side of me that tries to stretch our travel budget just a little bit further, so we can see more, and do more without sacrificing the quality of our trip.

Since many roadside attractions are free, I’ve found that adding one or two on each trip tends to ramp up the fun factor while giving my family an excuse to get out of the vehicle to stretch our legs.

You may have noticed that my recent trip to Florida was full of roadside attractions. I’ve shown you several, and believe me, there are more to come.

One of my personal favorites was the USS George Bancroft roadside attraction located just outside the gates of the Kings Bay Naval Submarine Base in Georgia. Located just minutes off I-95, this stop was well worth the detour.

The USS George Bancroft SSBN-643 was commissioned in January of 1966 and served for over 27 years. When the Cold War ended, the need for the Franklin-class submarines decreased in favor of the newer Ohio-class models. The USS George Bancroft was decommissioned in 1993 and slated for scrapping.

That would have been the end of the USS George Bancroft, but members of a local submarine veteran’s group began a grassroots effort to save the Bancroft. Their efforts succeeded in securing the sail of the submarine, which was used to create the exhibit. Members of the community pitched in to construct an earthen hull which was covered with black gunite, a mixture of cement, sand and water.

The result is a “submarine in a sea of grass” that makes an incredible photo op.

The exhibit was dedicated on April 7, 2000, while celebrating the 100th anniversary of the submarine forces.

While you’re welcome to walk along the cement hull, however, climbing on the sail, or command center, is strictly prohibited.

You’ll find plenty of parking in the Pass & ID parking lot- even plenty of room for RV’s.

I first visited this site with my teens and they give it a thumbs up.

While this is considered a roadside attraction, it’s important to realize that this roadside stop is also a memorial for those servicemen who served on board USS George Bancroft. You’ll find some of their comments in the section below.

If you enjoy stretching your legs at this attraction, you may want to check out the smallest church in America, a short drive away.

Visiting Information for the USS George Bancroft SSBN-643 Command Exhibit Display:

Website: http://www.cnic.navy.mil/kingsbay/About/USSBancroft/index.htm
Address: 1063 USS Tennessee Avenue Kings Bay, Georgia 31547
Phone: (912)882-2782 or alternate phone: (912)573-4714
Hours of Operation: Round the Clock
Cost: Free

More Roadside Attraction Fun:

The Big Muskie in Miners’ Memorial Park
Visiting the Harland Sanders Cafe and Museum in Corbin, Kentucky- the First KFC
A Stop at the Giant Cross in Orlando