Georgia Natural Wonder #242 - Broxton Rocks - Coffee County (Part 2).

[Top Row Dawg]

Georgia Natural Wonder #242 - Broxton Rocks - Coffee County (Part 2)

Well I came to Coffee County to post about General Coffee State Park, but my Cyber exploring found this even better Natural Wonder for Coffee County. It was a place I never heard of, much less actually been there. I have been to Douglas many times on Worker's Compensation Insurance claims, how have I never heard of Broxton Rocks?



Broxton Rocks is a beautiful nature preserve complete with a waterfall, caves and rare plant life. The property is owned by the Nature Conservancy, and reservations are required for hiking tours. Considered a natural wonder in South Georgia with plants native to the tropics and the Appalachian mountains, the Broxton Rocks have been mentioned in the AJC and on WSB-TV.


Guided Tour at the Broxton Rocks

Broxton Rocks is the single largest exposure of sandstone, about 4 miles in extent, found in the Altamaha Grit, a subterranean band of sandstone that lies under some 15,000 square miles of the Atlantic Coastal Plain. 



The Rocks, as it is referred to locally, consists of a series of cracks, pools, damp cliff walls, a 10-foot waterfall, and rugged outcrops up to 20 feet high, all carved into a shallow gorge over many centuries by Rocky Creek.



The Broxton Rocks waterfall is Georgia's southernmost. 



A substantial part of the Broxton Rocks is a protected preserve (Broxton Rocks Preserve) of 3,799 acres, of which 1,528 acres are managed by The Nature Conservancy. 



The preserve lies on a direct line from Atlanta, Georgia, 185 miles by road to the north-west, to Jacksonville, Florida, 145 miles by road to the south-east. 



Broxton Rocks is located at 31°43'56.25"N, 82°51'11.75"W (31.7323°N, 82.8533°W). 



The elevation is 243 feet. Broxton Rocks is located in north-east Coffee County, Georgia.

Geology

Part of the Atlantic coastal plain, Broxton Rocks' sandstone layers were created by the slow erosion of the Altamaha Formation, dating from the Middle Miocene era. 



Fractures have opened up throughout the feature, some wide enough to allow a person to walk through, some narrow but deep. 

  

Where the waters of Rocky Creek, a first-order intermittent stream, drop to a lower level, a 10-foot waterfall has formed a pool in the sandstone before it flows out and through the lower reaches of the feature before draining into the Ocmulgee River.



Flora and fauna

Plants
       
Broxton Rocks is the home to about 530 plant species, several of which are threatened or endangered species. Included among these are the green-fly orchid, grit portulaca, silky creeping morning glory, Georgia plume, filmy fern and shoestring fern. Some species found here were thought to be extinct; several found here grow almost exclusively in other climates such as the tropics or Appalachian Mountains. 



In spring, flower species like flame azaleas and fameflower bring a blaze of color to the ravine. 



The preserve lies in an area of longleaf pine ecosystem which once stretched from the Atlantic Ocean to the eastern reaches of Texas. The Nature Conservancy seeks to restore the longleaf pine to the lands it manages in the preserve through ecological restoration.

Animals

The preserve is home to over 100 species of birds. The near-threatened Bachman's sparrow and the pileated woodpecker, whose drum-like peck can be heard over long distances, all nest here. Other animals include the armadillo, the woodrat, the flying squirrel, the vulnerable gopher tortoise, and the threatened indigo snake.

  
Some critters are wilder than others.

Human history

Archaeological research shows that there was a Spanish-era (1568–1684) dwelling believed to belong to aboriginal peoples.



Broxton Rocks appears to have had several name changes in its history. Three decades ago it was more commonly known locally as simply The Rocks. Ward's History of Coffee County, says of Broxton Rocks, "'The Picnic Rocks" - Its ruggedness begins with the great grey boulders of the picnic rocks, known in former times as "falling waters," for there was quite a water fall at this spot which was near the home of Major McNeill, one of the pioneer naval stores operators from Robeson County, North Carolina, who gave the place its name. He continues in the next paragraph, "From there on to the Ocmulgee River, there were two great cliffs lining each side of a wooded stretch through which this stream flowed, great grey boulders with crevasses in them, and others poised perilously on top of each other just as though there had been a great upheaval there in the days gone by." Ward appears to indicate that the local appellation for the feature was "The Picnic Rocks", but that a past name was "falling waters". Current research doesn't indicate if that was or was not a translation from an indigenous tongue, e.g. Creek or Seminole.

The Nature Conservacy

A roaring waterfall rushing over rock ledges, cave-like crevices and 30-foot-high cliffs aren’t what normally come to mind when you think about Georgia’s coastal plain, but Broxton Rocks Preserve isn’t just any place.



Unique elements make it both a sought-after place to experience (visitors from all over the country and internationally routinely fill tours) and a fragile environment in need of protection and conservation. TNC's work preserves the site for the future while enabling more people to experience its magic today.

  

Ages ago, part of the 15,000 square mile band of sandstone running under this flat coastal part of Georgia was exposed by erosion. Combined with the roaring water of Rocky Creek, a tributary of the Ocmulgee River, and the steady effects of weathering, an environmental anomaly was created, a place where a network of fissures, cliffs and crevices stay cool and moist, juxtaposed with almost desert-like conditions on flat rocks above the fissures.



While this is enough to make Broxton Rocks a site worth seeing, there’s more. Plant life abounds, some not normally found in the coastal region and some growing in unusual ways. Green-fly orchids, for example, which grow on trees, adorn the rock walls at Broxton Rocks.



An important site for as long as people have inhabited the area – there is evidence of Paleo-Indian people to early European settlers – even today Broxton Rocks is a special place. Every Easter Sunday residents of the area gather at what is often referred to as the “falling waters,” carrying on a century-old tradition.



The preserve’s 1,650 acres is part of the larger Broxton Rocks Conservation Area which is protected and managed by the collective efforts of TNC, local landowners, Coffee County, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Georgia Forestry Commission and other partners.



Management at Broxton Rocks includes controlled burns in the winter, spring and early summer, critical to maintaining natural plant and animal communities. We plant longleaf pines, wiregrass and other native herbs to restore natural diversity. We also remove non-native invasive plants and animals where needed, such as chinaberry, Japanese climbing fern, and feral hogs. Our long-term vision is to see most of Broxton Rocks entirely in natural, mature pine woodland by the middle of the 21st century.

Tours

Because of the fragile, endangered plant and animal species populating the Broxton Rocks, guided tours are limited to only a few times per year. To inquire about guided tours, visit the The Nature Conservancy website, email the Nature Conservancy directly at [email protected], or call 1-404-873-6946.

If You Go

You may hike the area - at your own risk, June-August each year.  Upon arrival there is a locked gate and you must park and walk into the preserve.  Please park vehicles near the kiosk/sign being careful not to block the gate.  The one-mile trail from the preserve gate and kiosk/sign to the falls is open to the public June – August.  The trail is not stroller friendly and it is not ADA equipped. There are no restrooms, so please plan accordingly. PLEASE BE MINDFUL OF THE NATURAL HABITAT AND DO NOT DISTURB/REMOVE PLANTS OR WILDLIFE IN THE PRESERVE. Help us to continue to preserve this natural wonder in Coffee County - stay on the trail and leave no trace of your visit behind.



If you chose to hike the area before June or after August of each year, safety orange MUST be worn from September through May. The preserve is hunted by a private hunt club September - May each year.



The preserve is open for guided tours on Easter Sunday and for select tour and work party dates.

Trip Advisor Reviews

Broxton Rocks is a stunning sight to see. You have to hike about a mile to reach the falls, but once you make it down there you're in for a breathtaking surprise. The main waterfall and surrounding smaller waterfalls are astounding. Terrain is rather rocky and cars can't make it the last mile of the route, so children and the elderly should abstain. There is lots of area at the end of the trail (right above the falls) to picnic or take pictures. I climbed down into the water, but only do so if you are entirely confident in your ability to do so, as the sandstone rocks are very mossy and slippery. I don't have anything negative to say about this venture. It lies in the county in which I live and I didn't know of its existence until recently. I will be back, without a doubt.



Beautiful hidden gem in Georgia and great hike that’s perfect for the whole family to enjoy! We had a little trouble finding it at first because the navigation directed us to the wrong place, but once you find it you can pull up and park right at the gate and it’s a really nice hike. My boys (ages 9 and 11) and I had a blast and the trail was cleared and completely flat most of the way. On the hike to the rocks we saw several turtles up close, birds, butterflies, and lots of pretty wildflowers. The rocks themselves were very cool and because it hasn’t rained much we were able to walk across them with ease. The waterfall wasn’t huge due to the lack of rain but still pretty and worth the trip.

Coffee County (Part 2)

Now that is what the Georgia Natural Wonder Forum is all about, finding lost treasures like that down here at GNW # 241, Wow! We wrap up our Tangent on Coffee County.

I am going to put my TRD Nugget about Coffee in here early so you can play and scroll at same time.



Historical Markers in Coffee County, Georgia

There are 14 Historical Markers & Monuments in Coffee County, Georgia.

Coffee County






There are two different Coffee County markers within steps of each other at the Coffee County Courthouse. Bicentennial Post there too.

Coffee County Courthouse and Douglas Lions Club Armed Forces Memorial


Coffee County Courthouse.

Coffee County Confederate Monument


Coffee County Courthouse.

Douglas Surgical Institute and Infirmary





G & F Railroad / Norfolk Southern Railroad







Martin Theater ca 1939







Raymond-Richardson Aviation School




Marker is on South Peterson Avenue (US 441.US 221,SR 31) near Airport Circle, on the right when traveling south. 

Sand Hill Missionary Baptist Church Birthplace of the Smyrna Baptist Association





Tanner Mercantile Company



Tanner Mercantile Company First Department Store in Douglas



The Coffee County Bank Building Constructed 1910




South Georgia Detail. Terracotta Gargoyles.



Tri - Hi - Y International


Marker is on South Madison Avenue (U.S. 441) near Ashley Street (State Road 32), on the right when traveling north.

Old Coffee Road

Marker read:

The highway leading southward is the Old Coffee Road, a pioneer vehicular and postal route of South Georgia. Beginning at the Ocmulgee River, two miles to the north, it ran some 120 miles via today’s Lax, Nashville, Cecil, Barwick, and Thomasville to the Florida Line above Tallahassee. The thoroughfare was opened by order of the State in 1823 under the superintendence of Gen. John Coffee and Thomas Swain. The General Assembly directed that the highway begin at the Alapaha River to the southwestward, but this stretch from the Ocmulgee has always been considered a part of the old road.


Marker was at the intersection of U.S. 319 and County Route 321, on the right when traveling west on U.S. 319.

Tangent Old Coffee Road

There are several Old Coffee Road Markers in Georgia.  What better place to Tangent on The Old Coffee Road then Coffee County Georgia.



It was like the Old Federal Road going through North Georgia when this part of Georgia was still Indian territory. The trail was cleared, dug, and leveled by enslaved African-American laborers.

This became the first vehicular path through the region. The trail was initially built to carry munitions of war to Florida Territory to fight the Indians during the Creek Wars.


Thomasville - Nashville

It was later used by settlers moving into the Georgia frontier.


Cecil - Morven

It has no bridges or ditches and only private ferry crossings.


Barwick - Quitman.

Communities

I just love sitting here at my Condo desk here in downtown Atlanta getting ready to tour 12 folks today on Sightseeing Bus Tours of Atlanta, and cyber exploring Georgia. If you are ever in Atlanta come on one of my tours directly, I work Monday through Friday and the cost is half price on Groupon. These little old ladies work the weekend so I can get out and explore Georgia some more. We continue our Tangent on Coffee County with a summary of the Communities of the County.

Cities
    
Ambrose

Ambrose is a city in Coffee County, Georgia, United States. 



Driving through Ambrose.



As of the 2020 census, the city had a population of 327. 

Ambrose City Hall.

Vanishing Georgia helps us with additional images of Ambrose.




Opened in 1975, Jerry’s Sport Shop is a local landmark, well-known by hunters from all over South Georgia.


Ambrose Elementary School, Coffee County.


This is the old school. The new one is just down the road. I believe this is a WPA-built school, from the 1930s. The community hopes to restore it in the future.


A real Fixer Upper in Ambrose. Tar paper shack.

Broxton

Broxton is a city in Coffee County, Georgia, United States. Per the 2020 census, the population was 1,060. 

Post Office Broxton.

It is known for its unique sandstone formation called Broxton Rocks along Rocky Creek 10 miles north of town. (See Above.)

History

An early variant name was "Gully Branch". The Georgia General Assembly incorporated the place as the "Town of Broxton" in 1904, with the corporate limits extending in a one-mile radius from the front-yard well of one Jesse Lott. The present name is after Broxton Creek.


Ocmulgee Street was once Broxton’s main commercial area. 




The Western Auto store was located in the second building from left (above).




This was likely a multi-use commercial block. It was used as the post office for many years.


Mayberry in Broxton.
   
Douglas

Douglas is a city in Coffee County, Georgia, United States. 



As of the 2020 census, the city had a population of 11,722. 



Douglas is the county seat of Coffee County and the core city of the Douglas micropolitan statistical area, which had a population of 50,731 as of the 2010 census.

History

Douglas was founded in 1855 as the seat of the newly formed Coffee County. It was named for Senator Stephen A. Douglas from Illinois, a renowned stump speaker who was the challenger to Abraham Lincoln in the presidential election of 1860.



Douglas was chartered as a town in 1895 and as a city in 1897. In 1895, the railroad came to Douglas and the community began to boom. In 1909, the Georgia and Florida Railway located its offices in Douglas.



The Eleventh District Agricultural & Mechanical School was established in Douglas in 1906. In 1927, South Georgia College was founded as Georgia's first state-supported junior college.



During the 1920s and 1930s, Douglas was one of the major tobacco markets in the state. Much of this history is depicted in the Heritage Station Museum, located in the former Georgia and Florida Railway train station on Ward Street in downtown Douglas.



Douglas has two areas listed on the National Register of Historic Places: the downtown and Gaskin Avenue historic districts. They were added to the list in 1989.

Agriculture

Farming plays a large role in the area's economy. Major agricultural products from the town and surrounding county include peanuts, corn, tobacco, and cotton. Chicken is also a major part of the economy.

Tourism

Douglas is home to Heritage Station Museum, which displays artifacts of the city's history. 




Heritage Museum is old Train Station.

The World War II Flight Training Museum (the old 63rd Army Air Forces Contract Pilot School),



Broxton Rocks, and the Ashley-Slater House are also popular tourist attractions in the area.





Douglas has ten public parks. There are four golf courses in and around the city.



Nearby, the 1,490 acres General Coffee State Park draws more than 100,000 visitors a year and is the most popular tourist attraction in the area.
    
Nicholls

Nicholls is a city in Coffee County, Georgia, United States. The population was 2,798 as of the 2010 census, up from 1,008 in 2000, due to counting of the Coffee County Correctional Facility population within the city limits. This facility is privately owned and operated by CoreCivic.



The estimated city population as of 2018 was 3,338.

History

Nicholls was founded in 1895. 



The city was named for John C. Nicholls, a U.S. Representative from Georgia.

Arena

The Wiregrass Arena is located in Nicholls. 


It is the home of many agricultural events as well as Nicholls Founders Day, an annual festival.

Unincorporated communities
    
Bushnell

Bushnell is an unincorporated community in Coffee County, in the U.S. state of Georgia.

History

The community was named after G. L. Bush, a local politician. A post office called Bushnell was in operation from 1903 until 1922. 


Old General Store Bushnell Georgia.

The Georgia General Assembly incorporated the place as the "Town of Bushnell" in 1907, with the town corporate limits extending in a two-mile radius from the Atlanta, Birming and Atlantic Railroad depot. The town's charter was legislatively repealed less than one year later in 1908.
    
Sapps Still

Sapps Still is an unincorporated community in Coffee County, Georgia, United States.

History

Sapps Still was developed as the site of a turpentine still in the early 1900s. A community developed around the turpentine still to provide housing and provisions to support the still workers and their families. 

South Georgia Turpentine Still.

The still exploded due to a fire and was replaced by a lumber mill that was built in its place. Ruins and remains of both facilities still stand. The kiln for drying the lumber sawn at the mill remains standing as well having been repurposed as a hay barn after the mill closed in the 1950s. A rail spur that passed through Sapps Still connected the barge and steamboat wharf on the Ocmulgee River at Relee, five miles to the north, with the county seat of Douglas, and from there to other rail lines. The rail spur was used to transport naval stores from the turpentine still and later, lumber from the lumber mill. The Relee-to-Sapps-Still line closed in 1950, and the Sapps-Still-to-Douglas line closed in 1958.
    
West Green

West Green is an unincorporated community in Coffee County, Georgia, United States. 


General Store West Green.

West Green is located along U.S. Route 221 northeast of Douglas and southwest of Lehigh near the Coffee-Jeff Davis County Line. 


Courson Farm House West Green.

The ZIP Code for West Green is 31567.

History

West Green originally was known as The Twenty (due to being 20 miles south of Hazlehurst) and later Garrant.


Post Office and Big Ben's Restaurant West Green.

The Georgia General Assembly incorporated West Green as a town in 1914. The town's municipal charter was repealed in 1995.

Notable people

James Brown, singer.


You know I searched and searched and don't see James Brown's connection to Coffee County Georgia. I'll leave it in here since it was on Wikipedia.

Tyreek Hill, National Football League player for the Miami Dolphins, formerly the Kansas City Chiefs.



Jason Childers, Major League Baseball player for the Tampa Bay Rays.



G. Wayne Clough, Secretary of Smithsonian Institution and former president, Georgia Tech.



Greg Holland, country singer.



Jennifer Nettles, one-half of the country music duo Sugarland.



Joel Parrish, football player.



Willie Spence, singer and runner-up of Season 19 of American Idol.



Maureen Tucker, drummer and occasional singer of 1960s and 1970s rock group The Velvet Underground, lives in Douglas.



TRD Nugget on Velvet Underground.



Greg Walker, former first baseman and hitting coach, Chicago White Sox and Atlanta Braves.



We wrap up this final post for Coffee County and our Georgia Natural Wonder Gals are again Gals drinking Coffee.



Bonus Coffee Drinking GNW Gals.



Good to last drop.