We
ended the Georgia Good Sam rally with a Sunday morning Worship Service, led by
the Georgia Good Sam Chaplain. It features a choir, readings and a message. We
took our time getting around, because we could not check in until 3pm. We got
gas in the RV’s and then came back and hooked up the cars. We traveled north on
US 41 out of Perry Georgia, until we hit GA 96 E. We traveled along the
southern edge of Warner Robbins.
On GA
96, we traveled through Bonaire GA. We crossed the Ocmulgee River and there was
a small pond that was loaded with ducks.
The
earliest community in the boundaries of Jeffersonville, Georgia was called
Sandy Bottom, incorporated as Raines’ Store and later changed to
Jeffersonville, around 1850. The Georgia Legislature moved the Twiggs county
seat from Marion to the City of Jeffersonville. On February 6, 1901, the Twiggs
County court house in Jeffersonville burned to the ground, destroying all the
records. First erected in Marion, then moved to Jeffersonville, that two-story
building was constructed of very heavy timbers and had been recently renovated.
The fire was visible from Macon, over twenty miles away.
Outside
the courthouse is a Confederate memorial. The Inscriptions read: To the Twiggs
County soldiers and those who sacrificed all to establish the independence of
the South 1861-1865. In memory. Twiggs Volunteers Capt. Jas. Folsom, 4th Ga. Reg.
- Twiggs Guards Capt. Jno. Barclay, 6th Ga. Reg. Faulk Invincibles, Capt. E.S.
Griffin, 26th Ga. Reg. - Slappey Guards, Capt. U.A. Rice, 48th Ga. Reg. It was
erected in 1911 by the Twiggs County Chapter Daughters of the Confederacy. The
monument was relocated in December 18, 2014 and dedicated on April 12, 2015 at
the Courthouse. On April 25, 2010, Jeffersonville’s public library burned to
the ground. A new library on Main Street opened its doors in 2013. The
distinction of Longest Serving Sheriff goes to Sheriff Earl Hamrick who served
Twiggs County and Jeffersonville for 48 years behind the badge. In 1962
Jeffersonville’s Volunteer Fire Department became first Volunteer Fire
Department certified by the State of Georgia.
Just
outside of Jeffersonville, we turned on GA 18 N and crossed Big Sandy Creek. We
came upon a church on the left, I thought the name was Clear Creek Baptist Church.
But I cannot locate the church anywhere, in my research. But what really struck me was the three wooden
crosses on the right side of the road. It reminded me of a Randy Travis song …
the feelings it stirred in me are very appropriate for a Sunday.
We
came into the City of Gordon Georgia on GA 18 N. Gordon was founded in 1850 as
a depot on the Central of Georgia Railway. It was named for William Washington
Gordon of Savannah, the first president of the Central of Georgia Railroad, and
the first Georgian to graduate from West Point Military Academy. Gordon is the
largest city in Wilkinson County and the main industry is the manufacturing of
kaolin, which is used worldwide. Kaolin is one of Georgia's largest natural
resources. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, more than 8 million metric
tons of kaolin are mined from Georgia each year, with an estimated value of
more than $1 billion. Georgia is by far the leading clay-producing state in
America and is recognized as a world leader in the mining, production,
processing, and application of kaolin products.
In
Gordon, we turned onto GA 540, which merges with GA 243, called the Fall Line
Freeway. We crossed Lake Tchukolaho on the McCook Bridge. Lake Tchukolako is a
privately owned lake that is known for its peacefulness, beautiful scenery, and
friendly neighbors. The name Tchukolako, pronounced "chew-co-la-co",
was chosen from the tribal name of American Indians who once lived in the area.
Built in the mid 1960's for the sole purpose of a lake front community. You can
still purchase into this community, known as Holiday Hills.
We
crossed the Oconee River. The river's name derives from the Oconee, a Muskogean
people of central Georgia. The Oconee lived in present-day Baldwin County,
Georgia at a settlement known as Oconee Old Town. From the earliest days, the
river has been an important source of water power. In recent years, the river
has seen a dramatic drop in its flow. That was evident to use, it was very dry
and low.
We
turned onto GA Route 24 then quickly onto GA Route 22. In Sparta Georgia, we turned
onto GA Route 16. This massive structure is called the Lafayette Hotel. But in
the late 18th century, the Eagle Tavern once stood on the site of the present
Lafayette Hotel. A state coach stop on the Augusta to Macon line, the tavern
owned by a Mr. A. Abercrombie was the scene of a great ball held for the
Marquis de LaFayette in 1825. Burned in the late 1830's, the Tavern was
replaced by the present structure in 1840 when it was known as the Edwards'
House. Renamed the Drummer's Home in 1897 it was, in 1900, voted by traveling
men the most popular hotel in Georgia and received a silver wine dispenser from
the Georgia Hotel Association.
As GA
Route 16 turns from Broad Street into Augusta Highway, we passed the remnants
of a burned out building. It looked like it was a fresh fire. My research
helped me determine that the building was the old Hancock County Board of
Education building. The fire occurred on the Sunday afternoon of August 25,
2019. The building was no longer in use, so no one was inside at the time, and
no one was injured. This fire comes just a few days after the five-year
anniversary of the fire that destroyed the Hancock County Courthouse back in
August 2014.
We
traveled through Jewell Georgia along the Warren County Piedmont Scenic Byway
Extension, which is GA 16. The Warren County-Piedmont Scenic Byway extension
serves as a continuation of the Historic Piedmont Scenic Byway. The route was
once part of the old Native American Okfuskee Trail, which connected what is
now Augusta with the Mississippi River. The byway traverses eleven miles of
gently rolling hills on State Route 16 from the Hancock/Warren County line to
the intersection of State Route 12. It passes a wildlife management area,
farmland, rivers, and historic properties. Included on the byway are the Cities
of Jewell and Warrenton, both listed as districts in the National Register of
Historic Places. The byway has been featured on the Tour de Georgia race route
two times and offers ample opportunity for recreation such as cycling, golfing,
boating, fishing, hunting, camping, hiking, and equine activities.
We
quickly passed through the downtown of Thomson Georgia, but we will be back to
explore the area more. We drove north of Thomson to arrive at Big Hart Corps of
Engineer campground
Ahhh,
life is good … this is our home for the next week!
Our view is just perfect!
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