We took some back roads heading to the Russell Dam. We passed some unique sights and bits of history. We found this overgrown entrance with a gate and a name … I searched and searched, but no luck on finding out more … but it makes you wonder … just want happened to “The Preserve” on Clearwater Run Drive on the edge of Elberton Georgia.
Old Dan Tucker's Grave, for one. It is the burial site of Reverend Daniel Tucker who came to Elbert County to take up a land grant and became one of the county's most useful and best known citizens. Rev. Tucker died April 7, 1818. The Reverend Daniel Tucker was born in Virginia on February 14, 1740. As a young man he came to Elbert County to take up a land grant and served as a Captain in the American Revolution. Farming the rich land along the Savannah River, he became a very capable farmer. One of his closest friends and neighbors was the former Governor of Georgia, Stephen Heard. Another important job that Daniel Tucker had was ferrying people back and forth across the Savannah River between the states of Georgia and South Carolina. Records in the Elbert County Courthouse show that in 1798, Tucker bought from Mr. John Heard for $1,000 in cash, part of the "Cook's Ferry Tract" with a ferry and all the items that went with it. The ferry was well situated and continued to serve the traveling public until bridges were built for the coming of automobiles. Besides farming and carrying travelers across the river, Daniel Tucker was probably best known for his role as a Methodist minister who cared very deeply for the slave population. He spent much of his time teaching them and praying with them. The slaves adored him, writing verse after verse about him to show their appreciation for all that he did for them. Their song about "Old Dan Tucker" has become a famous part of American folk music. Daniel Tucker died in 1818 and was buried near his home. Today, his grave lies on a hill overlooking Lake Russell.
We did see Sasquatch on the corner! Paul Hoffman
would be so happy!
Turning down the road to the Russell Dam we passed this historical marker. Colonists Crossing … can you imagine what it took for this early settlers to cross the Savannah River? Amazing fortitude.
The Richard B. Russell Dam and Lake is the third multipurpose project built on the Savannah River by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District. Authorized in 1966 for the purpose of hydropower generation, recreation, and flood control, the project got underway in 1976.
The Russell Dam site is located between the existing Hartwell and Strom Thurmond Dams. We have been to the Strom Thurmond Dam. This dam was built in the headwaters of the Strom Thurmond Dam about 35 miles above the Strom Thurmond Dam. Hartwell Dam is located about 30 miles upstream from the Russell site. Too bad the Visitor Center was closed, it would have been very interesting.
We continued on down to the end of the peninsula, where the Bobby Brown State Park is located. Previously, it was the Bobby Brown State Outdoor Recreation Area. The park was obtained in 2015 through a lease agreement with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. The park is operated by the Elbert County Government through Elbert County Parks and Recreation.
They have an Yurt Village with five Yurts. They are 20 feet yurts with heating, air, dorm refrigerator and microwave. All five yurts overlook Clarks Hill Lake.
Located on 665 acres in Elbert County, Bobby Brown Park offers access to the 71,100-acre Clarks Hill Lake (the second-largest man-made lake east of the Mississippi River). Located where the old town of Petersburg thrived during the 1790's, the park is named in memory of Navy Lt. Robert T. Brown who gave his life in World War II. Petersburg was situated where the Broad and Savannah rivers flow into the Clarks Hill Reservoir. When water levels are low, visitors can see some foundations of the town.
This park has a wire suspension bridge over an Arm of Clarks Hill Lake and a portion of Savannah River. Originally established as a wildlife reserve on the swampy forested peninsula, the park contains well-made footbridges that stretch across all low and wet areas in the park. As you wander over the bridges, look up -- bald eagles often play in the sky overhead. This is the second park we have stayed in on this trip that had a suspension bridge.
We did not see any eagles, but will a turkey do? We saw this turkey on the railing of the camp hosts site at the park. It actually jumped off the rail and kind of chased our car. Crazy Turkey!
We decided to cross the Savannah River and head into South Carolina, making a big square on our travels today. We came into the town of Calhoun Falls, South Carolina. The town was named after the Calhoun family, one of first families to settle here in the 1700's. The town grew due to the railroad and textile mill located in here.
The town was originally called Pressly’s Station (named after the station master) then Rocky River and finally Lowndesville. The selection of William Lowndes as the town's namesake was made at the request of Abbeville native Landgon Cheves. Lowndesville, incorporated in 1839, had about 150 inhabitants for most of its history. Cotton was the major crop in the area, with bales ginned here and shipped by the Charleston & Western Railway. In 1890 the town included a hotel, nine general stores, a grocery, a dry goods store, a drugstore, a stable, and three saw mills. Lowndesville is nicknamed the "Town of Seven Hills." The town itself is in the shape of the letter "L" with points to the north and east. At the bend, on a hill overlooking the town, sits Providence Presbyterian Church, a striking white structure with a tall steeple. Behind the church is an old cemetery.
We had lunch at the park, along with the squirrels.
We headed out of the park for a dry run to our next campground, since we are only about 20 miles away. We finally spotted a few more deer that we could snap pictures of. Looks like a mother and her your deer.
We finished the day with a short visit at Watsadler, a Corps
of Engineer Park, to check out our sites and to see Brian & Janet!
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