History of the Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites Division
A.H. Stephens Historic Park Amicalola Falls State Park Black Rock Mountain State Park Bobby Brown State Park Chief Vann House Historic Site Cloudland Canyon State Park Crooked River State Park Dahlonega Gold Museum Historic Site Elijah Clark State Park Etowah Indian Mounds Historic Site Florence Marina State Park Fort King George Historic Site Fort McAllister Historic Park Fort Morris Historic Site Fort Mountain State Park Fort Yargo State Park Franklin D. Roosevelt State Park General Coffee State Park George L. Smith State Park George T. Bagby State Park and Lodge Georgia Veterans State Park Gordonia-Alatamaha State Park Hamburg State Park Hard Labor Creek State Park Hart State Park High Falls State Park Hofwyl-Broadfield Plantation Historic Site Indian Springs State Park James H. (Sloppy) Floyd State Park Jarrell Plantation Historic Site Jefferson Davis Memorial Historic Site John Tanner State Park Kolomoki Mounds Historic Park Lapham-Patterson House Historic Site Laura S. Walker State Park Little Ocmulgee State Park and Lodge Little White House Historic Site Magnolia Springs State Park Mistletoe State Park Moccasin Creek State Park New Echota Historic Site Panola Mountain State Park Picketts Mill Battlefield Historic Site Providence Canyon State Park Red Top Mountain State Park Reed Bingham State Park Richard B. Russell State Park Robert Toombs House Historic Site Seminole State Park Skidaway Island State Park Smithgall Woods Conservation Area and Lodge Sprewell Bluff State Park Stephen C. Foster State Park Sweetwater Creek State Park Tallulah Gorge State Park Travelers Rest Historic Site Tugaloo State Park Unicoi State Park Victoria Bryant State Park Vogel State Park Watson Mill Bridge State Park Wormsloe Historic Site
Vintage Photo Gallery
A.H. Stephens State Historic Park Taliaferro County
Amicalola Falls State Park Dawson County
Black Rock Mountain State Park Rabun County
Bobby Brown State Park Elbert County
Chief Vann House State Historic Site Murray County
Date Established: 1952 Original Acreage: 3 Current Acreage: 99 By the 1940s the once elegant Chief Vann mansion, the first brick home in the Cherokee Nation, had fallen into disrepair. Concerned local citizens raised $5,000 and purchased the house in 1952. It was donated to the state of Georgia and a six-year restoration began, which included repainting the mansion according to its original color scheme of blue, red, green, and yellow. Since 1958 the Chief Vann House has been open to the public as a state historic site operated by the Georgia Historical Commission and later by the State Parks and Historic Sites Division of the Department of Natural Resources. In 2002 the Springplace Moravian Cemetery next to the Vann House was donated to the state and became part of the historic site. A new interpretive center also opened that same year. Eighty-five additional acres of the former Vann Plantation became state property in 2005 after a successful fundraising campaign, which raised $1.5 million to preserved an historic tract next to the mansion that was threatened with commercial and residential development. In the 1790s James Vann became a Cherokee Indian political leader and wealthy businessman. He established the largest and most prosperous plantation in the Cherokee Nation that once covered 1,000 acres of what is now Murray County. In 1804 he completed construction of a beautiful two-and-a-half story brick home that was the most elegant and expensive in the Cherokee Nation. Chief Vann was murdered in 1809 and his son Joseph inherited the brick mansion and plantation. Joseph was also a political leader in the Cherokee Nation and became even more wealthy than his father. In the 1830s almost the entire Cherokee Nation was forced west by state and federal troops on the Trail of Tears. The Vann family lost its elegant home and plantation and had to rebuild near the Arkansas River in Oklahoma. Today the Vann House survives as Georgia’s most original and best-preserved historic Cherokee Indian home.
Cloudland Canyon State Park Dade County
Crooked River State Park Camden County
Dahlonega Gold Museum State Historic Site Lumpkin County
Elijah Clark State Park Lincoln County
Etowah Indian Mounds Bartow County
Florence Marina State Park Stewart County
Fort King George Historic Site McIntosh County
Fort McAllister Historic Park Bryan County
Fort Morris State Historic Site Liberty County
Fort Mountain State Park Murray County
Fort Yargo State Park Barrow County
Franklin D. Roosevelt State Park Harris County
Georgia Veterans Memorial State Park Crisp County
Date Established: 1946 Original Acreage: 1,200 Current Acreage: 1,308 The idea for Georgia Veterans Memorial State Park came from Nelson Shipp, head of the Georgia Department of Commerce in 1946. He took his idea to long-time friend Crisp County Representative Palmer H. Greene who brought representatives and senators from all over the state to look at different sites and to sell the idea to the Department of State Parks Director Charlie Morgan. The main property considered consisted of 900 acres of land and 300 acres of water in the county next to Lake Blackshear that was part of the Daphne Plantation. The land was owned by Dr. Russell Thomas of Americus and his brother John Frank Thomas, Jr., of Palm Beach, Florida. Daphne Plantation had once been a popular resort, with a store and mill, picnic areas, and round, wooden, open-sided pavilion near the old flowing well. The Seaboard Railroad ran excursion trains on weekends and holidays. The location was widely known as an ideal spot for outdoor recreation. The Crisp County Commissioners of Road and Revenues, with Dr. Loron E. Williams, Chairman, and members J. Homer Dorough and Claude L. McMillan, agreed to purchase the property for $35,000 and deed it to the state. Deeds were executed to transfer the land from the Thomas brothers to Crisp County, who then deeded it to the state. The deed was accepted by Secretary of State Ben Fortson for Governor Ellis Arnall, for use and improvement as a perpetual memorial to the heroic service and sacrifice of Georgia veterans. With the theme “Serve the Living – Honor Our Heroic Dead,” this shared vision of Nelson Shipp and Palmer Greene became Georgia Veterans Memorial State Park. The park is shielded and almost surrounded by Lake Blackshear, an 8,700-acre lake 15 miles long, with a drainage area of 3,750 square miles. The lake was formed by the backwaters of the Crisp County Hydroelectric Power Dam, the first county-owned, constructed, and operated hydroelectric power project in the United States. Construction of the dam started in 1928 and operations began in August 1930. The lake is named for General David Blackshear, who constructed Fort Early near present day Warwick, the Blackshear Trail from Macon to Ft. Early, and the Blackshear Road from Hawkinsville to Darien on the coast.
General Coffee State Park Coffee County
Date Established: 1970 Original Acreage: Unknown Current Acreage: 1,511 In the late 1960s, the citizens of Coffee County had the vision for a state park. Coffee County donated the park to the state in 1970, and it was named after General John Coffee, a planter, U.S. Congressman and military leader. During the late 1960s and early 1970s the park had only a small campground and day-use area. A four-acre lake, swimming pool, and campground expansion was added in the 1980s. The 1990s brought about great change and growth for the park. The State Parks and Historic Sites Division acquired the Burnham Cottage and Hawks Nest Cottage from private ownership in the early 1990s. Later, a 32-person group lodge and four two-bedroom cottages were built. The park continues to prosper in the 21st century. The park is home to Heritage Farm which interprets farm life and history in old rural Georgia. Another unique feature is the park’s habitat which is situated on both river-swamp and sand-ridge communities. These communities are home to several threatened and endangered plants and animals such as the Pitcher Plant, Gopher Tortoise, and Indigo Snake.
George L Smith II State Park Emanuel & Candler Counties
Previous name: Parrish Pond Recreation Area Date Established: 1975 Original Acreage: 1,355 Current Acreage: 1,634 The land was originally purchased through the Heritage Fund as a historic area and was named Parrish Pond Recreation Area. The name came from the original owner and developer of the land, James Parrish. In 1980, the area became a state park and was named after the local politician, George L. Smith, who was instrumental in purchasing the land for the state. In 1988, 13 additional acres were purchased as a buffer zone from development and to build a house for use as staff residence. In 1997, 266 acres were purchased to expand the park with a boat ramp and parking area, pioneer camping area, three-mile trail, and four additional cottages. The park interprets Georgia history through the 1880s covered bridge and gristmill. Water recreation is available with boating and fishing in the 400-acre lake. Natural recreation is available on the sand ridge trails with the opportunity to see the gopher tortoise.
George T. Bagby State Park and Lodge Clay County
Date Established: 1972 Original Acreage: 365 Current Acreage: 444 (700 with golf course) In 1972 the park was created and situated at Pataula Creek, outside Fort Gaines and ten miles north of its present location. It was named for State Parks Director George T. Bagby. Some 17 years later it was moved to a location on Lake Walter F. George at the request of local enthusiasts. In March 1989 the park expanded with a 30-room lodge, conference center and restaurant. The marina opened in late 1989 and nature trails were cleared in 1990. On November 21, 1995 a groundbreaking ceremony took place to recognize the upcoming addition of Meadowlinks Golf Course, which opened in spring of 1997. In 2002 the park added 30 more lodge rooms and built a new restaurant. The former restaurant dining room was converted to become additional conference space. The park’s location was chosen in part because of its unique location in southwest Georgia on the shores of Lake Walter F. George with its major tributary being the Chattahoochee River. This 48,000-acre natural resource, known for the great opportunity it provides for fishing and water-sports was leased to the Department of Natural Resources for the development of a park that would provide a natural resource where there is a unique mix of artifacts, landmarks, history, legends and wildlife to attract history buffs and naturalists alike. The park is situated along the Chattahoochee Trace, which includes an educational experience trekking three states. George T. Bagby is one of 30 sites included in the Southern Rivers Birding Trail, which provides wildlife enthusiasts with a spectrum of viewing experiences to include a kaleidoscope of birds, butterflies, wildflowers and other admired species that are indigenous to the park and area.
Gordonia-Alatamaha State Park Tattnall County
Previous Site Name: Reidsville State Park Date Established: 1956 Original Acreage: 206 Current Acreage: 462 with Golf Course In 1956 the General Assembly allocated funds for six state parks which included Gordonia. At the time the park was called Reidsville State Park. It was renamed Gordonia-Alatamaha in 1960 for a plant that has only been found in the state of Georgia. The local Lions Club and citizens were instrumental in getting the park started. On March 22, 1956 the Kennedy and McLeod families donated land for the park. The political and social climate of the late 1950s contributed to the establishment of Gordonia-Alatamaha State Park. Local citizens wanted the park and worked very hard to get it. The swimming pool, 12-acre lake and picnic facilities were the early recreational resources. Also, having the park located in the City of Reidsville makes it very accessible to the community.
Hamburg State Park Washington County
Date Established: July 24, 1968 Original Acreage: 741 Current Acreage: 741 Richard Warthen, a native of South Carolina, acquired the property in 1850 and built the first mill in Washington County just 100 feet upstream from the present mill and dam. T.B. Rachels and his brothers purchased the property around 1895. The property was later acquired by Oscar Harrison and then sold to the Gilmore brothers who farmed much of the surrounding area. In the early 1920s the Gilmore Brothers constructed the present dam, mill, and cotton gin. Construction took one to two years, and the mill was capable of grinding both wheat flour and cornmeal. The mill and adjacent store were centers for both work and community activities. The brothers sold the property to the Hall family, who then sold it to Hugh M. Tarbutton and William Rawlings. In 1968 Tarbutton and Rawlings deeded the 740 acres and all historical buildings to the state of Georgia. Hamburg provides cultural, historical, and recreational opportunities for the public. The park continues to maintain and operate the gristmill on a regular schedule, and visitors may purchase cornmeal in the old country store. The Gin House at Hamburg processed cotton in the mid 1900s and now serves as the park’s museum with displays of equipment and artifacts used by rural farmers in the early 1900s. The 225-acre impoundment of Hamburg Lake provides recreational opportunities for boaters and fishermen.
Hard Labor Creek State Park Morgan County
Previous Site Name: Hard Labor Creek Recreation Demonstration Area Date Established: 1946 Original Acreage: 5,805 Current Acreage: 5,805 Hard Labor Creek State Park came into being during the Depression at a time when public works projects were used to bolster the nation’s weak economy. Developed by the National Park Service to demonstrate that marginal cropland could be reclaimed and developed for recreation use this area was designated a Recreation Demonstration Area. Forty-four individual parcels of land varying in size from 10 to 1,042 acres were joined together to provide 5,805 for recreational purposes. In 1934, the young men of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and the Work Progress Administration (WPA) developed Hard Labor Creek Recreation Demonstration Area. They cleared the beds of Lake Brantley and Lake Rutledge and built their dams. They also built numerous facilities for picnicking and group camping. With the onset of war and lack of building material and labor, development slowed in 1942. In 1946 the Recreation Demonstration Area was given to the state of Georgia. Characterized by broad sweeping hills and river bottom lowlands, the new Recreation Demonstration Area possessed the potential for scenic beauty as well as for leisure-time recreation. The park provides swimming, boating, and fishing on Lake Brantley and Lake Rutledge along with golfing, picnicking, nature trail hiking, camping, cottages, group shelters, and two group camps. It also provides 22-miles of horse trails along with stables and 12 campsites with water and electrical hook ups. The park derived its unusual name from the farmland stream that passes through the park. Some say Hard Labor Creek got its name from slaves who tilled the cotton fields that once dominated this area. Still others say the Indians who once inhabited this area gave the stream the name after finding it hard to cross during frequent floods.
Hart State Park Hart County
Date Established: 1968 Original Acreage: 147 Current Acreage: 147 In 1963, the Army Corps of Engineers built the Hartwell Reservoir by constructing Hartwell Dam at the confluence of the Savannah, Tugaloo, and Seneca rivers. In 1968 the Corps of Engineers leased the land now known as Hart State Park to the state Of Georgia. Although the park is located only two miles from downtown Hartwell, it was still in use as farmland until the lake filled up. Fish abounding in the lake, gentle summer breezes to encourage sailing enthusiasts, spectacular sunsets to draw campers to enjoy a quiet evening at their campsites, and gently sloping open woodlands that provide excellent hiking/walking trails led directly to the establishment of the park. This 10th reservoir park in the Georgia State Park system now provides a variety of recreational activities, including boating, fishing, swimming, and wildlife viewing on the 55,590-acre lake, which is maintained by the Corps of Engineers.
High Falls State Park Monroe, Lamar and Butts Counties
Date Established: 1966 Original Acreage: 726 Current Acreage: 1,050 On July 19, 1961, the Hiawassee Timber Company/Bowater’s Southern Paper Corporation donated the lake and adjoining lands to the Georgia Fish and Game Commission. This property was turned over to the State Parks Department in 1966 for the purpose of creating High Falls State Park. Subsequent acreage was added in 1962, 1965, 1968, 1975, 1979 and 1980 through five property owners, bringing the current acreage to 1,050. All of these acquisitions have served to provide protection and preservation of the area associated with the High Falls State Park. The park provides a unique combination of natural, cultural and recreational resources. Its location on the Towaliga River in Georgia’s Piedmont lends itself to several outstanding natural features to include the series of waterfalls from which the park gets its name. Cultural resources remain from when the area was an important power generating and commercial location, such the old powerhouse, the dam that forms the lake constructed with bedrock from the river itself, remains of the old gristmill and a raceway used for water diverting. Recreation abounds in and around the 650-acre lake formed by a combination of the Towaliga River, Buck Creek and Brushy Creek.
Hofwyl-Broadfield Plantation State Historic Site Glynn County
Indian Springs State Park Butts County
James H. “Sloppy” Floyd State Park Chattooga County
Jarrell Plantation State Historic Site Jones County
Jefferson Davis Memorial State Historic Site Irwin County
John Tanner State Park Carroll County
Kolomoki Mounds State Historic Park Early County
Lapham-Patterson House Thomas County
Laura S. Walker State Park Ware County
Little Ocmulgee State Park Wheeler County
Little White House State Historic Site Meriwether County
Date Established: 1948 Original Acreage: 4,000 Current Acreage: 163 In 1945, Franklin D Roosevelt died in Warm Springs and his will stipulated that his property, house, and contents were to be left to the Georgia Warm Springs Foundation. The foundation quickly realized it needed to be preserved and opened to the public in the president’s memory. A private Memorial Commission was set up and charged with acquiring all the adjacent property to control future development. Funds were not available to build a separate museum, so a Memento Room was added under the sundeck of the house. Auxiliary buildings and a parking lot were added as well. In 1959, a former neighbor left her home to be used as a museum. It was remodeled and opened to the public in 1961. This museum was refurbished in 1973. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources took over operation of the museum, historic house, and property in 1980. Much of the acreage was transferred to F.D. Roosevelt State Park at that time. The pools Roosevelt built in 1928 for therapy also passed to DNR in 1980 and extensive repairs to that property were completed in 1995. A museum was added at the pool complex in 1997. In 2004, a new museum was opened at the main site. The Pools Museum allows visitors to explore the history of the warm springs and Roosevelts’ involvement in the area. The new FDR Memorial Museum allows the opportunity to interpret the life and achievements of a man considered by many to be our nation’s most outstanding President. The historic house offers a glimpse of a moment frozen in time as it is preserved very much as it was on the afternoon that FDR died in 1945.
Magnolia Springs State Park Jenkins County
Previous Site Name(s): Camp Lawton (during the Civil War), Millen National Fish Hatchery (1948), then Bo Ginn National Fish Hatchery and Aquarium (1988) Date Established: 1939 Original Acreage: 959 Current Acreage: 1,037 Magnolia Springs State Park was created in 1939, the culmination of a 15-year effort by local citizens to have the site developed into either a national or state park. Millen Mayor Walter Harrison, described as “always in the front of every progressive movement for the development of both the town and county,” was in the forefront of the movement. Landowner W.E. Alwood donated a 58-acre tract that included the remains of old Fort Lawton, and the rest of the property was purchased by Jenkins County. The development of Magnolia Springs as a state park was a project of the Civilian Conservation Corps, Company 3465. It was composed of up to 175 officers and men, and commanded by Albert C. Haley. Designated SP-16, the camp contained 22 buildings including five barracks. The spring-fed stream that runs through the park was dredged, dammed and widened to create a large swimming area. Roads, a bathhouse, “casino,” and several other buildings were constructed at that time. Prior to its operation as a state park, Magnolia Springs was the site of a state fish hatchery. It was also a popular privately owned recreation area. It is reported that as many as 1,100 people per day utilized the area for picnics, church gatherings, family reunions and swimming. In 1948, more than 100 acres of park property was transferred to the federal government for the creation of the Millen National Fish Hatchery. In 1988 this facility was renamed the Bo Ginn National Fish Hatchery and Aquarium. A variety of sport and endangered fish were raised at this hatchery until its closing in 1996. At that time the property, including aquarium and ponds, was returned to Magnolia Springs State Park. Magnolia Springs is named for the water source that produces up to 9 million gallons of freshwater per day. This natural feature was recognized as a prime recreational opportunity during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. During the Civil War this same spring saw the Confederate military prison, Camp Lawton, developed along its banks. At least 10,000 prisoners were held captive with at least 500 of these succumbing to disease and exposure.
Mistletoe State Park Columbia County
Date Established: 1965 Original Acreage: 1,920 Current Acreage: 1,920 In 1952 the Corps of Engineers leased 1,920 acres to the state of Georgia for what was to become Mistletoe State Park. It was named after a small town called Mistletoe Corners that had a preponderance of mistletoe in the early 19th century. Mistletoe Corners had been a thriving little community with a post office, one-room schoolhouse and “Bunk” Bullard’s store, which was the heart of the community. The park was established in 1965 and dedicated in 1971 by Georgia Governor Lester Maddox. By 1971 many families had already considered Mistletoe State Park their vacation/recreation center. The park provides recreation on Clark Hill Lake, a 72,000-acre lake billed as the “largest man-made impoundment east of the Mississippi.” The lake is a haven for all water-related activities and is also touted as the best bass fishing lake in the Southeast. Clark Hill is in the top ten of the most visited recreational lakes in the nation. The park is rich in cultural history from the Paleo Indians through the Revolutionary War, slavery and king cotton.
Moccasin Creek State Park Rabun County
Previous Name: Georgia Power Campground Date Established: 1966 Original Acreage: 32 Current Acreage: 32 In the early 1960s, Fulton Lovell, Director of the DNR’s Fish and Game Division, envisioned a campground located on the adjacent hatchery property for fishermen who visited each season. In 1963, a proposal was made to land owners Charles and Lona Hunt for the use of Lovell’s vision. In May 1963, $63,415 was given to Fish and Game to convert what was once a cornfield into a Georgia Power campground, run by the Fish Hatchery. By 1966, the campground was too popular for the hatchery to manage. It was turned over to the state and the name was changed to Moccasin Creek State Park, in reference to the stream that flows between the park and the hatchery. In 1968, a pavilion was completed with money donated by Governor Lester Maddox to be used as a Chapel. In the 1970s, the trailer that served as an office was removed and a formal office was constructed. In the mid 1970s, the comfort stations were built, sewage system installed, and multiple water faucets added. In the ‘80s, the chapel was designated a pavilion due to “Church and State” controversy. In 1993, the pavilion was dedicated to Lovell and is known today as the Fulton Lovell Assembly Shelter. The park provides recreation on Lake Burton, a 2,800-acre impoundment maintained by Georgia Power Company. Tallulah River, Coleman River, and many other streams that flow straight out of the mountains feed the lake. The lake offers boating, fishing and swimming. The rivers and streams offer excellent trout fishing opportunities. Moccasin Creek offers fishing to the handicapped, beginners and experienced anglers within the park boundaries. The park ~~ being relatively flat, located on the lake, and with a trout stream – an easily accessible base camp for adventures in fishing, hiking, hatchery tours, boating, hunting, swimming, and natural water slides. The park’s location also provides visitors with the opportunity to visit mountain overlooks and nearby state parks.
New Echota-Cherokee Capital State Historic Site Gordon County
Panola Mountain State Conservation Park Rockdale County
Pickett’s Mill Battlefield State Historic Site Paulding County
Providence Canyon State Conservation Park Stewart County
Previous Site Name: Also called “Georgia’s Little Grand Canyon” Date Established: 1971 Original Acreage: 1,108.6 Current Acreage: 1,108.6 Eight acquisitions made up the total 1,108.6-acre park: - 11/13/70 - 754.0 acres previously owned by Ingram-LeGrand Lumber Company - 01/04/71 - 9.2 acres previously owned by Melvin & Madge Rutledge - 01/13/71 - 168.6 acres previously owned by Ellis-Worthington et al - 02/08/71 - 22.9 acres previously owned by Georgia Kraft Company - 02/15/71 - 73.2 acres previously owned by Stewart County - 04/21/71 - 49.8 acres previously owned by Stewart County - 05/17/71 - 1.2 acres previously owned by Stewart County - 07/10/75 - 29.7 acres previously owned by Ellis-Worthington et al total acres - 1,108.6 The land that is now Providence Canyon State Conservation Park was originally owned by three families (the Worthingtons, Woodalls and Humbers) and Providence Methodist Church. Stewart County purchased some of the land from these families and made a small county park that only included picnic tables. Many families would pack a lunch; attend church services and picnic at one of the tables overlooking the largest of the canyons. The local people referred to this canyon lying on the western rim as Grandfather Canyon. On July 1, 1971 after buying the land, Governor Jimmy Carter signed the bill making it a state park. Over the years the park has grown from a few picnic tables to include 10 miles of hiking trails, backpacking sites, pioneer group sites, playgrounds, a group shelter, open-air picnic shelters, a museum/interpretive center and gift shop, and more picnic tables that now include grills. The farmers who scratched out a hard living growing mainly cotton out of the soil here 170 years ago did not know about soil conservation practices such as contour plowing, crop rotation and cover crops. They would be astounded if they could see today what they started with their mule-driven plows. These poor farming practices, along with the extremely soft soils, have provided today’s visitors with the opportunity to view land that was once under the sea. Take a look at the walls and you will see slanting lines, some leaning to the left others leaning to the right. This is referred to as cross bedding and actually shows where the ocean currents laid down the sands millions of years ago. Today there are 16 canyons in all where 43 different colors can be seen. The park is host to several rare plants the most famous of all is the Plumleaf Azalea that blooms along the canyon floor. This shrub grows only in a 165-mile radius in southwest Georgia and southeast Alabama. Providence Canyon is known worldwide as having the largest natural concentration of this azalea.
Red Top Mountain State Park and Lodge Bartow County
Date Established: 1950 Original Acreage: 1,457 Current Acreage: 1,553 Red Top Mountain, located on Lake Allatoona, consists of 1,553 acres and derives its name from the rich red color of the soil that comes from the high iron content in the ground. In 1950, the state initially leased the land for 25 years from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The park served not only to preserve the area’s history, but also boost Bartow County’s growth and agricultural economy. Also in 1950, Atlanta resident and former Tuskegee Airman John Loyd Atkinson was instrumental in establishing George Washington Carver State Park, the state’s only park named after a Black man. Carver was a brilliant inventor and chemist who helped the devastated farming community and spurred the South’s peanut industry. Atkinson had leased the 345 acres adjacent to Red Top Mountain Park from the Corps of Engineers with the intention of establishing a private resort for Blacks. Governor Herman Talmadge helped lease the land and assimilate it into Red Top Mountain State Park, although operated and maintained separately. Atkinson became the superintendent, the first African-American park manager in the state, serving from 1950 to 1958. Clarence Benham became Bartow Carver’s second park manager, serving for three years. In 1989, a 33-room lodge, conference center, and full-service restaurant were opened at Red Top Mountain. In the early 1990s, with the help of The Etowah Valley Historical Society, the Vaughan Cabin Relocation Project began in 1993. The Vaughn family donated the 1870s log cabin to the society. Partnering with Red Top Mountain State Park, the cabin was preserved and relocated to the park. Through a partnership with the Friends of Red Top, the park is able to increase the awareness and appreciation for the region’s resources. These include Lake Allatoona and the Etowah River shed, various forms of wildlife, and plants found in both the Piedmont and Mountain communities. Cultural resources include a working example of an iron foundry complex, an 1800s log cabin and blacksmith shop that once belonged to local families, and archaeological sites including open pit iron mines and associated railroads, pioneer roads, a church, school and home foundations. Recreational resources include hiking trails, a combination bike/walking trail, boat dock, ropes course, tennis courts, swimming areas, picnic facilities, playgrounds, mini golf, and a privately run marina.
Reed Bingham State Park Cook and Colquitt Counties
Date Established: 1958 Original Acreage: 1,613 Current Acreage: 1,613 In the 1930s, Amos Reed Bingham envisioned the creation of a dam to generate electricity to the rural community. It was determined that the Little River could not provide sufficient continuous water flow for the purpose intended. He pursued a new strategy that still included the building of a dam but with hopes that it would lead to a recreational opportunity that would bring families in the community together. The lake that it created is one of the main reasons for the many visitors at the park each year. Bingham, after whom the park is named, worked for many years to get his idea in motion. Finally in 1952, the 71-year-old man convinced the Moultrie Chamber of Commerce and city and county officials to obtain an engineering survey to include plans for a lake and park. The park did not become a reality until 1958 when Cook and Colquitt counties bought the land and deeded it to the state. The original dam was constructed on the Little River in 1965, creating a 400-acre lake that was used for water sports and fishing. The dam ruptured on July 1, 1967 but was rebuilt, after many delays, by December 1970. On December 24, in the dead of winter, the water started flowing over the dam, and that day skiers started trying out the lake again. The park now offers places for families and friends to meet and enjoy the park’s unique natural resources. The park contains many miles of undisturbed woodlands that many plants and animals call home. Every year volunteers and staff contribute to the survival of Georgia’s state reptile, the Gopher Tortoise, through education, research and fieldwork. The Little River, Reed Bingham Lake and Coastal Plain Nature trails are wonderful places to enjoy bird watching, stargazing and fishing. They also offer opportunities to appreciate the park’s abundance of distinct wildlife, such as the yearly migration of thousands of Black and Turkey Vultures.
Richard B. Russell State Park Elbert County
Previous Name: Coldwater Creek State Park Date Established: 1987 Original Acreage: 2,508 Current Acreage: 2,508 In 1987, the Army Corps of Engineers leased to the state of Georgia this property for the purpose of creating a state park. The park was originally called Coldwater Creek State Park and was the only one planned for the Georgia side of Lake Russell. In 1988 the name was changed to Richard B. Russell State Park, in reference to the newly built Corps lake by the same name and Richard B. Russell, a former state representative and Georgia’s youngest governor. Construction was started on the first phase of development in October 1987. The park would be limited to a day-use area only with picnic sites, three picnic shelters and a beach. The plans were to open the facility in December of the same year, but with weather delays the park opened in May 1989. In June 1990 the park was dedicated. In 1997, 10 cottages, 28 campsites, 3 boat ramps, 3 picnic shelters, a rowing center and disc golf course were added. During July 1996 the park rowing area was used as pre-Olympic training site for over 130 athletes. Arrowhead Pointe Golf Course, Georgia’s newest 18-hole state park course, opened July 2004. The park was created to offer recreational opportunities after the development of Lake Russell. Several Indian sites were excavated during the building of the lake in the 1980s, indicating that Paleo-Indians lived in the area more than 10,000 years ago. The area is called Rucker’s Bottom and lies within the waters of Lake Richard B. Russell.
Robert Toombs House State Historic Site Wilkes County
Seminole State Park Seminole County
Skidaway Island State Park Chatham County
Smithgall Woods-Dukes Creek Conservation Area White County
Sprewell Bluff State Park Upson County
Stephen C. Foster State Park Charlton County
Sweetwater Creek State Conservation Park Douglas County
Tallulah Gorge State Park Rabun County
Traveler’s Rest Historic Site Stephens County
Tugaloo State Park Franklin County
Unicoi State Park and Lodge White County
Previous name: White County Area State Park Date Established: 1954 Original Acreage: 278 Current Acreage: 1,050 In 1954, the state opened Unicoi State Park named after the Unicoi Turnpike, which was a toll road used in the 1830s to bring the first white settlers to the area. The Cherokee word “unega” means “white,” thus the meaning of Unicoi is “Place of the White Man,” “White Man’s Way,” “The New Way,” or “The New Beginning.” Concerned north Georgians worked for many years to create an outdoor recreation experiment station, and in 1968 their goal was attained. The General Assembly created the North Georgia Mountains Authority, which was given the title to the existing park and facilities. In September 1973, The Lodge at Unicoi opened for business. In 1974, the experimental station was abolished and became a state park once again. In 1997, a contract was awarded to AMFAC Corporation to operate the lodge, cottages, and campground, while the DNR retained operation of the park. In March 2001, the contract with AMFAC was terminated, and in 2002, the DNR assumed operation of Unicoi State Park again. Unicoi State Park and Lodge is the largest of all Georgia Lodge Park operations, and the barrel cottages and squirrels nest campsites are unique to the park. Features include a trading post, year-round interpretive programs, pedal boats and canoe rentals. The park has recreational opportunities on 53-acre Smith Lake with a swimming beach and fishing docks. Smith Creek has over three miles of trout fishing. The park has eight miles of hiking trails and seven and a half miles of mountain bike trails. All of these amenities make it one of the main tourist attractions in northern Georgia.
Victoria Bryant State Park Franklin County
Date Established: 1952 Original Acreage: 45 acres Current Acreage: 502.34 acres 1953, Franklin County resident Paul E. Bryant of Royston dedicated 45 acres as a living memorial to his mother, Victoria Osborn Bryant, and to provide recreational opportunities for the community. In 1957, 1962 and 1966 he donated or sold additional tracts of land. In 1967, the state purchased several tracts of land for purposes of constructing a nine-hole golf course and other amenities. These purchases included: 1) 16.71 acres from Hubert Hickman, 2) 16.24 acres from Paul E. Bryant, 3) 0.84 acres from Paul E. Bryant, and 4) 191.66 acres from Boyd Brown. Bryant made his final donation in 1972 and passed away five years later. In 1998 the state purchased 92.75 acres from Leyland Gawt to expand the golf course to 18 holes. The Cherokee and Creek Indians once roamed the hills and valleys of what is now Victoria Bryant State Park. They found good hunting and fishing in the rolling hills and dense wooded areas. Indian artifacts and arrowheads are occasionally found in the park. As the white man settled the area, crops of corn, wheat and rice were cultivated. The park’s pioneer camping area was once a swampy flood plain suitable for growing rice, providing the name for Rice Creek. A sawmill was added and the remains of some homes can still be found in the park. In 1910, a raging flood washed away the mill, which was never rebuilt. Parts and pieces remained over the years, but today only a few metal pins can be found to mark the spot along the creek shoals where the mill was originally built. In the years prior to the state park being built, the area became a recreational draw as people from the area enjoyed swimming, wading and picnicking along the creek. Bryant donated the land to promote the welfare of his fellow citizens through increased recreational facilities. During his final years, he expressed his hope that generations to come would enjoy and benefit from the facility.
Vogel State Park Union County
Date Established: 1927 Original Acreage: Unknown Current Acreage: 238 Vogel State Park is the second oldest state park in Georgia and one of the oldest parks in the nation. Fred and Augustus Vogel of Milwaukee, Wisconsin gave the property to the state in 1927. They owned thousands of acres of land in north Georgia to harvest bark from oak and hemlock trees. This bark was shipped north to Wisconsin to the Phister – Vogel Leather Company for use in the preparation of the leather. During World War I a synthetic method to tan leather was developed so there was no further need for the north Georgia resources. As a result, the land was slated to become a state park. The “boys” of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) developed the park during the Great Depression of the 1930s. Since then, Vogel has long been a destination for family vacations. The goal of the park is to continue this tradition by preserving the natural, historical, cultural and recreational opportunities afforded by the area. Visitors can hike, swim, and dream of earlier times when an Indian, settler or CCC Boy may have done the same thing. The park also provides habitat for numerous plant and animal species.
Watson Mill Bridge State Park Oglethorpe and Madison Counties
Date Established: 1969 Original Acreage: 144 Current Acreage: 1,118 The Bryan family, owner of Jefferson Textile Mills, donated the original 135 acres of land to the state of Georgia as the nucleus of a new park. The establishment of the park was a grassroots effort by local citizens and the Bryan family to preserve an old covered bridge and surrounding natural area for future generations. For more than 25 years, the park was focused mainly around the covered bridge, which was placed on the National Register of Historic Places, and provided camping, picnicking, nature trails, and fishing. Seeing the potential for greater natural resource protection and park expansion, the state worked with the Trust for Public Land in 1996 on three phases of land acquisitions. By the end of the decade, the park acreage was at 1,018 acres. In 2006, an additional 100 acres was acquired through DOT land mitigation funds, bringing the total acreage to 1,118. One of Georgia’s few remaining covered bridges is the focal point of the park, preserving a link to the culture of a bygone era. The bridge crosses a natural flowing river, which is surrounded by rich natural resources of flora and fauna. The biodiversity of this site is varied with different ecosystems. It is one of only two parks in Georgia that operate an equestrian stay-use area. There are presently 19 miles of trails with some designated as horse trails, some as hiking/biking, and some as walking only. With the natural scenic beauty of the site, it is a subject for many artists and photographers in the state.
Wormsloe State Historic Site Chatham County
Date Established: 1973 (as part of the Heritage Trust program) Original Acreage: 822 Current Acreage: 1,232 In 1972, the Wormsloe Foundation conveyed 822 acres to the Nature Conservancy with the stipulation that the property be available to the public, highlighting Wormsloe’s historical and natural resources. In 1973, Wormsloe was acquired by the state of Georgia under the Heritage Trust Program to become a State Historic Site. At that time, the relevancy of interpretation to the public became the site’s mission. Without the generosity of the descendants, part of Georgia’s early history would be lost. In 1997, with the support of the Wormsloe Foundation, the state acquired an additional 410 acres, which was originally one of Noble Jones’ holdings and was the site of the blockhouse. As one of the first colonists in Georgia, Noble Jones’ history is important, not only in Georgia, but as a foundation to the establishment of the United States. The tabby remains of Jones’ fortified house with its defenses are a rare find, if not the only remaining example of fortified domestic architecture typical of coastal Georgia. In addition to the Colonial relevance, Wormsloe’s rich history ranges from prehistoric shell mounds, to the late 19th Century oak avenue. The coastal pine forest amid tidal river marshes offers a unique natural setting for its resources.
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