Georgia Natural Wonder #92 – George L. Smith State Park. 549

[Top Row Dawg]

Georgia Natural Wonder #92 – George L. Smith State Park

In an effort to involve the whole state in these Natural Wonders, and at the suggestion of a poster, I want to go way south to make sure this site gets in the top 100. You are driving down that long stretch of I -16 from Macon to Savannah. We have already talked about 4 natural Wonders just off this Highway.

We had the Ocmulgee Indian Mounds and Bond Swamp as GNW #66 (Part 1)

We had the Camp E.F. Boyd Natural Area - Ohoopee Dunes Natural Area – Swainsboro – Ohoopee River  as GNW #49

There was the Big Hammock Natural Area (Bit of a drive off I – 16) at GNW #48

We had the Ebenezer Creek Swamp down around Springfield as GNW #51

Today we explore a spot right at the Metter exit, the George L. Smith State Park.



Now the main Georgia State Park Site tells us the dam is being repaired and the pond is currently drained. But hopefully things will be up and running by Spring.


Pond can still be pretty, even when drained. Old water line gives a dramatic natural effect.

"The peaceful natural beauty of George L. Smith State Park and the serene, cypress filled water of the mill pond offer you a tranquil escape where a small town, down home atmosphere provides both recreational and historical experiences."



With natural beauty, lakeside camping and cozy cottages, this secluded park is the perfect south Georgia retreat. It is best known for the refurbished Parrish Mill and Pond, a combination gristmill, saw mill, covered bridge and dam built in 1880. A group shelter near the bridge is popular for family reunions and parties. Some campsites sit right on the water’s edge, while cottages with gas fireplaces and screened porches are nestled into the woods.



The park’s mill pond beckons anglers and paddlers to explore thick stands of cypress and tupelo trees draped with Spanish moss. Canoeists and kayakers can join the Park Paddlers Club. While on the water, nature enthusiasts can look for beaver dams, blue heron, white ibis and other wading birds. The park rents boats, and nearby outfitters offer guided paddle trips. Hikers can stretch their legs on seven miles of trails while searching for gopher tortoises, Georgia’s state reptile.



George L. Smith State Park is a 1,634-acre Georgia state park located in Emanuel County. The park is named after George Leon Smith, a former speaker of the Georgia House of Representatives and Emanuel County native.



His skill as a politician faced repeated challenges, including the integration of the Georgia school system and the 1966 gubenatorial election, but George Leon Smith's dedication to the legislative branch of government shone through, even during these difficult times in Georgia's history.



First elected to the Georgia House in 1944, Smith ran unopposed from 1950 through 1972. Popular in his hometown of Swainsboro (Emanuel County), one of this Democrat's early battles was to install kindergarten in every school and extend the number of years students attended before graduating. Smith pushed unsuccessfully for state-funded secondary schools. In 1959, Georgia Governor Ernest Vandiver appointed Smith Speaker of the House.



In 1962 Governor Carl Sanders made Smith majority whip while George T. Smith served as speaker. From this time on George L. Smith fought for independence of the legislative branch of government. He would become the first speaker elected by the Georgia House in 1967. In 1966 he oversaw the controversial gubernatorial election between Bo Callaway and Lester Maddox. When third party candidate Ellis Arnell forced the election to the house, the Democrats elected segregationist Lester Maddox as governor, simply because he was the Democrat contender. Moderate Bo Callaway, the Republican who held a plurality, lost. As a result, Smith began pushing for plurality votes in general elections.



A Georgia Historical marker in front of a park in downtown Swainsboro reads: Home of George Leon Smith, II - 1912 - 1973 Member of the Georgia House of Representatives for 29 years and Speaker of that body for 11 years, longer than any other man (at the time the marker was installed). He was the 12th Georgian in History to lie in state at the Rotunda of the State Capitol in Atlanta, Georgia. The World Congress Center in Atlanta, Georgia, and the Administration Building of the Emanuel County Junior College are named in his memory both of which he helped to establish.



Attractions at the park include a grist mill, covered bridge, and the dam of the Watson Mill (built 1880).


All in one, grist mill, covered bridge, and dam.

The park's location on a 412-acre mill pond dotted with many cypress trees makes it popular with anglers and canoeists.



The moderately-sized state park is in a remote location, making it attractive for bird watchers and naturalists. Rare birds in residence include the great blue heron and the white ibis.


Heron and baby Ibis.

The lake/dam and mill host a museum documenting the history of the site, along with selected artifacts from the old grist mill, as well as educational materials on the 15 Mile Creek watershed and estuary.



Habitat

The park includes nature trails that wind over seven miles through sandy soil and pass through a bird sanctuary and a tortoise habitat.



The many hardwoods also attract various woodpeckers, sap suckers, and other birds less often seen in the pine forests of southern Georgia.



The old dunes of the lower Coastal Plain in the region features longleaf pines, wiregrass, turkey oaks, and a forest of dwarf oak.


Pond all empty the next few months.

The loose soil is ideal for tortoise burrows, and the dense foliage of the wiregrass provides cover for a wide variety of wildlife.

Pond

The park features a prominent "pond" more than one mile long that (when full) ranges from 2–3 feet deep near the edges, 5–7 feet deep further out, 8–10 feet in the middle of the "red trail" (in the flow of the original creek), and 12–14 feet just in front of the mill house.



In periods of extended drought the water level can drop considerably and some of the paddling trails around the perimeter can almost dry up.


Easy fishing those last few days of lake draining.

There are three paddling trails available; one that runs up the center of the pond, and one near each of the outside borders.


Wait till spring to bring any type boat. Someone suggested on Facebook page,... They need to keep it drained through winter to kill the hydrilla. And get a tractor and drag the shallow areas near the edge. Be great fishing then.

Kayaks and canoes are available for rent. Inflatables are not recommended due to occasional submerged tree stumps (And gators?).


It’s really quite lovely usually.

Today’s GNW gal comfortable in swampy conditions.



We did a tangent on Emmanuel County when we covered the Ohoopee Sand Dunes, so nothing to add today on this Wonder. It may be a while before my next Georgia Natural Wonder. I am taking weekend off, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day next week.  I’m looking at Wednesday for next post, got em lined up and ready to go. Welcome any continued suggestions.