Like most people with a casual interest in history, we always thought the Civil War ended in Appomattox, Virginia, when General Robert E. Lee surrendered to General Ulysses Grant on April 9, 1865.

But as we learned during an accidental visit to the Jefferson Davis Memorial State Historic Site in Irwinville, Georgia, it effectively ended when Union troops captured the Confederate president here on May 10, 1865. Davis and a few Cabinet members were fleeing west, where they hoped to rally Confederate forces west of the Mississippi River.

A bronze bust of Davis and a monument mark the site of his capture.

Irwinville is at the junction of State Highways 32 and 125 in south-central Georgia, about 14 miles east of I-75 (Exit 78). From Irwinville, head north on Jefferson Davis Park Road for 1 mile to the park.

The 13-acre park is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 2-5:30 p.m. Sunday; open Monday on holidays, but then closed on the following Tuesday. Admission is $2.50 for adults and $1.50 for children ages 6-18.

For details, visit www.gastateparks.org or call 1-229/831-2335.