Built for the Pope family in 1892, this was converted to a boarding house and restaurant in 1934 by the Lankford family. Pre-interstate, when US41 was a main north-south route to Florida, it was one of the busiest tourist sites in Tifton and known statewide, even nationally. After the boarding house ceased operation, the popular restaurant remained a Tifton landmark for many years.
Tifton Residential Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
Lankford’s Sunday lunch staple – salad w/thousand island, fried chicken, green beans swimming in juice from canned apple slices and, a tough choice for dessert, pecan pie or apple cake w/caramel icing. The highlight Sally Lund rolls. You could say it made an impression on me as this was from May 1961 – August 1970. I was between 4-14.
I remember the Lankfords’ children, in college at that time. Their son always talked with my father, Joe Wiggs, who owned Tifton Auto Parts at the time, about business and accounting. In early 1977, “Miss Margaret” Bowen, hosted a wedding shower in my honor, of course, at Lankford’s. Very fond memories.
Thanks for your sweet message. Love hearing stories. I have been back in Tifton 11 years after 43 years in Atlanta. Betty Lankford (Heath). My brother Bill continues as a CPA in Atlanta.
Thank you for your very special comments Jane.
Betty Lankford
We loved Lankford Manor ♥ as young ABAC students we welcomed a great home-cooked meal and happy faces :)Wonderful memories ♥ thankyou 🙂
My grandmother, Olive Bennett Lankford, converted this house which became Lankford Manor. It was in my family until my father Billy Lankford retired in the late 1990s. It was opened as a popular restaurant, The Local at the Lankford, a few years ago by David and Jennifer Scarbrough. I have many old photos and lots of memorabilia.
Betty Lankford
I’d love to see them! We loved Lankford Manor. If you have scans of any of them, please share with me via my email. wbrianbrown@gmail.com and I’d gladly add them to the website.
I lived in Tifton from December 1983 to May 1985. My husband and I ate many evening meals at the Lankford Manor. I remember Billy fondly.
Thanks so much for your comment. I love hearing things about my parents.❤️ Betty Lankford