Georgia Natural Wonder #244 - Okefenokee Swamp Park - Ware County (Part 2).

[Top Row Dawg]

Georgia Natural Wonder #244 - Okefenokee Swamp Park - Ware County (Part 2).

OK, this is our second post on Ware County, the Ware County information was too much for one post, we needed a another Natural Wonder in Ware County and that is obviously the Okefenokee Swamp.



Let's just get the TRD Nugget out there right off the bat for you to click and play as you read post.



Now we covered the Okefenokee Swamp with Georgia Natural Wonder #8. The Okefenokee Swamp is one of the original and still is one of the 7 Natural Wonders of Georgia. We mainly went to Stephen Foster State Park in that original post, but that is in Charleton County. We touched on Ware County with the Okefenokee Swamp Park in that post, but we are back with a full separate post on the Park so we can tangent on Ware County again.

Okefenokee Swamp Park - Waycross, GA

The Okefenokee Swamp Park is located 12 miles south of Waycross, Georgia, United States. The park is accessed by taking the Vereen Bell Memorial Highway (Highway 177 South, Okefenokee Trail) to the southern side of the Cowhouse Island. This is the northernmost entry point to the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. The Okefenokee Swamp is the most extensive blackwater swamp in North America and covers over 438,000 acres.



The Okefenokee Swamp Park is headquarters for its founding and administrative body, the Okefenokee Association, Inc., which was granted a sublease to Land Lot 20 in the Dixon Memorial Forest from the U.S. Department of Interior in 1945. The private nonprofit organization has operated as a concession since 1946. In 1955, ownership of Georgia Coastal Flatwoods Upland Game Project property, including Waycross State Forest (Dixon Memorial State Forest), Laura S. Walker State Park and the Okefenokee Swamp Park, was transferred to the state of Georgia. The Association's current lease is with the Georgia Forestry Commission.


Okefenokee Swamp Park gift shop and ticket office.


Boardwalk and bridge at Okefenokee Swamp Park, Waycross, Georgia.


Tree canopy of Okefenokee Swamp.


Boat tours aboard Carolina Skiff boats.

"The park's mission is to promote ecological tourism and education by providing a convenient point of entry into the Okefenokee Swamp." Millions of visitors from all over the world have passed through the park's gates.



The Association utilized and improved access to already existing original Indian waterways; structures built by the Civilian Conservation Corp in 1937.



There was a game corral built in 1938; and boardwalks built in 1940, leading to a 75-foot wooden observation tower. 




Skull Lake is within the park's 1200 acre property. Several million dollars’ worth of improvements are in the park.

 
The aerial view of the swamp was enhanced in 1965 by replacing the original tower with a 90-foot steel structure, making it the tallest observation point in the Okefenokee Swamp.


Visitors can experience the Okefenokee via boat tours, extensive nature boardwalks, wildlife shows, live animal exhibits, and wildlife and cultural displays. 

Extensive renovations and the addition of structures occurred in the 1970s: new gift shop (1970); Pioneer Island (1971); new boat dock, Swamp Creation Building and Living Swamp Building (1972); Ole Roy & Swamp Creation exhibits 

 

(1973); Serpentarium/Nature Center (1974); and the Country Store (1975). The amphitheater stage and seating were added in 1981, and a Wetlands Exhibit in 1990.

 

The only railroad system allowed to operate within the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge opened at the park in 1999, taking visitors on a 1.5-mile journey through the swamp. Its presence is reminiscent of a time during the late 19th and early 20th centuries when the voices of track layers, loggers and turpentine workers could be heard working to harvest the Okefenokee's resources for local and world markets.



A point of interest on the rail route is a stop at Pioneer Island. Featured is a recreated swamp homestead centered around an authentic swamp residence, the Highsmith Cabin, with essential outbuildings. 



The Country Store/Museum showcases photos and a bounty of artifacts chronicling some of the major events occurring in the Okefenokee Swamp and the Okefenokee Swamp Park. A replica of the Wildes Cabin on Pioneer Island is now a memorial to Maximillian Wildes and those who died with him at the hands of Seminole warriors in the 1838 Wildes Massacre. 



The structure was dedicated in 1988, marking the 150th anniversary of the last Indian massacre in the state of Georgia.


Oscar the alligator made his home at the Okefenokee Swamp Park until his death in 2007. His reconstructed skeleton is on display in the gift shop.



An admission charge goes towards operating and developing the park, as do donations of time and money by the members of the Osprey Society.



While overnight camping on the property is not allowed, nearby Laura S. Walker State Park has camping accommodations. (GNW #242)



The wonderland of the Okefenokee is a significant part of America's heritage, a beautifully preserved segment of what was here when America began. Located in the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, and the Dixon Memorial State Forest, the Okefenokee Swamp Park is a convenient point of entry and a magnificent show-window for this natural wonderland. Known for lily-decked water trails, 



and reflective waters mirroring the overhanging beauty 



lead to all points in this vast wilderness of islands, lakes, jungles, forest and prairies. 



Boat tours on original Indian waterways, wilderness walkways, Pioneer Island and native animals in their own habitat, all combine to weave a spell of pioneer American life. 


And Gators everywhere.

Points of Interest include an "Eye on Nature Wildlife Show," low-water boardwalk, 90-foot Observation Tower, 


Not a high water boardwalk.

Nature Center with bee hive observatory, wildlife observation areas, Walt Kelly Exhibit, and much more.



Walt Kelly American animator and cartoonist, best known for the comic strip Pogo. He began his animation career in 1936 at Walt Disney Studios, contributing to Pinocchio, Fantasia, and Dumbo. 

 

Pogo, eventually became his platform for political and philosophical commentary. The Pogo comic strip was syndicated to newspapers for 26 years.



The principal characters were Pogo the Possum, Albert the Alligator, Churchy LaFemme the turtle, Howland Owl, Beauregard Bugleboy the hound dog, Porkypine, and Miss Mam'selle Hepzibah the French skunk. The setting for Pogo and his friends was the Okefenokee Swamp. The Okefenokee Swamp Park now has a building housing Kelly's relocated studio and various Pogo memorabilia.



The swamp is considered the headwaters of the Suwannee and St Marys Rivers. Okefenokee Swamp Park provides a unique opportunity for accessing the Okefenokee Swamp.



The Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, which comprises over 80% of the world renowned Okefenokee Swamp, was established to conserve the unique qualities of the Okefenokee Swamp for future generations to enjoy. Habitats provide for threatened and endangered species, such as red-cockaded woodpecker, wood storks, indigo snakes, and a wide variety of other wildlife species. 



It is world renowned for its amphibian populations that are bio-indicators of global health. More than 600 plant species have been identified on refuge lands. The Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge has 353,981 acres of National Wilderness Area within the refuge boundaries. In addition, the refuge is a Wetland of International Importance (RAMSAR Convention – 1971) because it is one of the world’s largest intact freshwater ecosystems. The Okefenokee Swamp Park staff work closely with the refuge to ensure the public leaves with a great appreciation for this special place.



The Okefenokee Swamp Park opened its doors to the world at the northern entrance into the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge almost 75 years ago and has welcomed millions of visitors since that time.



The Okefenokee Swamp Park is a rare experience for every member of the family.  Extravagantly beautiful, the swamp, nearly a half million acres, carries you back into the world’s prehistory.

 
The Okefenokee Swamp Park is a non-profit operating under a long-term lease and is not supported by federal or state funds.

General Admission Includes:

    Okefenokee Railroad Tour
    Visit the wetlands and stop to tour Pioneer Island – 45 minute Tour
    “Eye on Nature”– Get up close and personal with our resident animal ambassadors at the nature center and in our outdoor enclosures
    Primitive Adventure Walk – Walk into the swamp and follow the trail (depends on trail conditions)
    Swamp Creatures Area – Alligators and turtles in habitats
    Boardwalk with Observation Areas –walk into the Okefenokee
    Nature Center, Swamp Creation & World Honey Market Exhibits Buildings
    Pogo and the Walt Kelly Exhibit – Get a glimpse of the famous cartoonist and his characters
    Observation Tower is closed for maintenance

General Admission (train, nature show & exhibits)

$25 Adults (ages 12 & up)
$24 Children (ages 4-11)
Senior Citizens (ages 62 & up)
AAA Discount (bring active card)
25% discount Local Okefenokee RESA County Residents
(must have current license showing residency)
10% discount Active Military (current ID required)
FREE Infants (ages 3 & under)

3 Hour Swamp Experience: Boat-Train-Nature Show Package

Includes general admission (train, nature show & exhibits) plus 45 minute boat tour. Boat tours are offered at the top of each hour during normal operation.
$35 Adults (ages 12 & up)
$30 Children (ages 4-11)
25% discount Local Okefenokee RESA County Residents
(must have current license showing residency)
10% discount Active Military (current ID required)
FREE Infants (ages 3 & under)

NEW! Extended 2 Hour Boat Tours

Hop aboard this unique and one-of-a-kind guided boat tour into the Okefenokee Swamp.



Your journey will take you down original Seminole Indian waterways, allowing the opportunity to see native plants and wildlife. This two-hour boat tour will take you into Green River and Mud Lake conditions permitting.

Available daily.
$70 per person
9:30am – 11:30am
Reservations MUST be made at least 48 hours in advance.

*Train ride and nature show are included in your 2 hour boat tour price.


They been boating folks in the Swamp for a while now.

You know, this was always my favorite Okefenokee Boat ride growing up in Atlanta.



Tales of the Okefenokee at Six Flags. May have been some young TRD smoochin/gettin a little (not much admittedly). Still have that song in my head ......



Okeeeefenokeeee .... Okeeeefenokeeee .... Okeeeefenokeeee .... Okefenok



Ware County (Part 2)

Our last post on Laura Walker State Park (GNW #242) allowed for a tangent on Ware County where we covered the General introduction to Ware County from the Wikipedia and New Georgia Encyclopedia. Then it covers the 8 National Register of Historic Places listings in Ware County, Georgia. We got up over 200 images so we broke it off, and now we are covering the 12 Historical Markers and War Memorials in Ware County, and also the Communities and the Notable People of Ware County. So, here we go, Ware County (Part 2).

Historical Markers and War Memorials in Ware County, Georgia

There are 12 Historical Markers and War Memorials in Ware County, Georgia

Providence Or Camp Creek Church




At the intersection Jim Mixon Road and Valdosta Highway (US 84, State Road 38)

Co. F 121st Infantry Waycross, Georgia




(marker is mounted on the southeast corner of the Waycross City Hall building)

George W. Barnes Building ca. 1913




(marker is mounted between left entrance and front window)

Methodism Came To Waycross 1873




Marker is at the intersection of Gilmore Street and Reed Street.

Nancy Hart Highway


Georgia’s most acclaimed female participant during the Revolutionary War (1775-83) was Nancy Hart. A devout patriot, Hart gained notoriety during the revolution for her determined efforts to rid the area of Tories, English soldiers, and British sympathizers. Her single-handed efforts against Tories and Indians in the Broad River frontier, as well as her covert activities as a patriot spy, have become the stuff of myth, legend, and local folklore. (GNW #229)(GNW #201)

Marker is at the intersection of Plant Avenue (U.S. 84) and Ossie Davis Parkway (Business U.S. 1), on the right when traveling north on Plant Avenue.


(looking south from Ossie Davis Parkway across Plant Avenue)

Okefenokee Swamp >>>-- 13 mi. -- >



Marker is in Waycross, Georgia, in Ware County. Marker is at the intersection of Memorial Drive (U.S. 1) and Corridon Z (U.S. 82), in the median on Memorial Drive.


US 1/US 23 is in the foreground; US 82 to the right at the intersection.

Senator Nicholas Ware




Located at the Courthouse in Waycross. 

The Wildes Massacre



Marker is at the intersection of Memorial Drive (Georgia Route 4) and Screven Avenue, on the right when traveling east on Memorial Drive.


Looking north across Memorial Drive; Screven Avenue is to the left.


Looking northwest at the intersection of Memorial Drive (straight ahead and right) and Screven Drive (to the left).

Vereen Bell Highway




Marker is at the intersection of Okefenokee Swamp Park Road (Georgia Route 177) and Jacksonville Highway (U.S. 1), on the right when traveling west on Okefenokee Swamp Park Road.


Looking southwest on Okefenokee Swamp Park Road (Vereen Bell Highway), GA 177, into the heart of the Okefenokee Swamp and the headwaters of the Suwanee River. The marker is on the right.


The marker can barely be seen in the bushes to the left of the sign at the entrance to the Okefenokee Swamp Park.

Ware County Georgia World War I Memorial



Marker is in Waycross, Georgia, in Ware County. Memorial is on Plant Avenue (U.S. 84), on the right when traveling west. Located between Mary Street and Lott Street. 


"The Spirit of the American Doughboy" E.M. Viquesney - Sculptor

Ware Court House



Marker is on State Street (U.S. 1 / 23) near Church Street, on the right when traveling south.


Ware Court House Marker, as seen driving south on State Street, looking northward along State street (US 1, US 23, State Road 4.

Ware County Courthouse

Waycross Confederate Monument



Marker is on Plant Avenue (U.S. 84) near Elizabeth Street, on the right when traveling west.


Waycross Confederate Monument , south face. Waycross Confederate Monument , east face.


Waycross Confederate Monument , west face. Waycross Confederate Monument , north face.

Communities

City

Waycross

Waycross is the county seat of, and only incorporated city in, Ware County in the U.S. state of Georgia. The population was 13,942 in the 2020 census.

 
Waycross includes two historic districts (Downtown Waycross Historic District and Waycross Historic District) and several other properties that are on the National Register of Historic Places, including the U.S. Post Office and Courthouse, Lott Cemetery, the First African Baptist Church and Parsonage, and the Obediah Barber Homestead (which is seven miles south of the city).

History

The area now known as Waycross was first settled circa 1820, locally known as "Old Nine" or "Number Nine" and then Pendleton. It was renamed Tebeauville in 1857, incorporated under that name in 1866, and designated county seat of Ware County in 1873. It was incorporated as "Way Cross" on March 3, 1874. Waycross gets its name from the city's location at key railroad junctions; lines from six directions meet at the city.



The city council in Waycross opened municipal primary elections to white women in 1917, the first town in Georgia to do so. This action was taken because some of the largest property owners in town were women who wanted a say in how their tax dollars were spent. 


The Fountain at Plant Park is really something.



It wasn't until two years later in 1919 that Atlanta became the second Georgia city to do this. Georgia women would not get the right to vote generally in all elections until 1922.



Waycross was home to Laura S. Walker (1861-1955) a noted author and conservationist. (GNW #242) Walker promoted a comprehensive program of forestry activity, including the establishment of forest parks. She erected markers and monuments along old trails and at historic sites, in Waycross and Ware County so that local history would not be forgotten. An effort to recognize her work culminated in President Franklin D Roosevelt issuing a proclamation to establish the Laura S Walker National Park in her honor. She was the only living person for whom a state or national park was named. In 1937, the federal government purchased distressed farmland for the park. Work on the park was undertaken by the Works Progress Administration and the Civilian Conservation Corps. In 1941, the national park was deeded over to Georgia, becoming the State's 13th state park.

   

Waycross was the site of the 1948 Waycross B-29 crash, which led to the legal case United States v. Reynolds (1953), expanding the government's state secrets privilege.



Federal Government ended up paying $170,000 to the widows of the 9 men killed.



Monument at site.





During the 1950s the city had a tourist gimmick: local police would stop motorists with out-of-state license plates and escort them to downtown Waycross. There they would be met by the Welcome World Committee and given overnight lodging, dinner and a trip to the Okefenokee Swamp. The tradition faded away after the interstates opened through Georgia.


1930's Waycross.

In the mid-1990s, the Flanders Hamburgers, a frozen hamburger that needed no defrosting, was created in Waycross. This was the creation of Eaves Foods, Inc., a company that later changed to Flanders, LLC. in 2000. Bubba Burgers are now sold nationwide as well as worldwide through the United States Military Commissary system.



U.S. Highway 1 runs north–south through Waycross, while concurrent with U.S. Highway 23. U.S. Highway 82 is an east–west highway in Waycross. U.S. Highway 84 runs east–west through Waycross. There are no limited-access highways anywhere near Waycross; Interstate 75 is 60 miles to the west, and Interstate 95 is 40 miles to the east. Waycross-Ware County Airport is a public airport located three miles northwest of the central business district of Waycross. It is owned by the City of Waycross and Ware County.



Six railroad lines meet at Waycross, making it a logical location for shunting freight to different destinations. 


Then and Now.

CSX Transportation operates Rice Yard here, a major "hump"-type classification yard.

From Vanishing Georgia


Blalock House, 1895, Waycross. This house is one of the nicer examples of the Neoclassical Revival in Waycross. The portico and porches are later additions. The cast iron fence was original to the property and the owner once owned a house on the adjoining lot, a Victorian, that was lost to fire.

Census-designated places

Deenwood

Deenwood is an unincorporated community and census-designated place in Ware County, Georgia, United States. The population was 2,207 at the 2020 census. It is part of the Waycross micropolitan statistical area. 


Aerial view of Deenwood and Deenwood Baptist Church, which is named after this geographical area.

Sunnyside

Sunnyside is an unincorporated community and census-designated place in Ware County, Georgia, United States. 


The population was 1,472 in 2020.

Waresboro

Waresboro is an unincorporated community and census-designated place in Ware County, Georgia, United States, located west of Waycross. The community is part of the Waycross micropolitan statistical area.The 2020 census listed a population of 375.


Post Office Waresboro.

History

In 1824, Waresboro was the first county seat of Ware County. In 1860, newspaperman and lawyer Carey Wentworth Styles practiced law in Waresboro, after moving to the community from Brunswick where he had been mayor. He fought with the Palmetto Regiment of the South Carolina Volunteers in the Mexican–American War. His regiment suffered heavy casualties in fierce fighting around Chapultepec, where Styles distinguished himself, as one of only two survivors from his unit. He shot and killed a man in self defense at a political rally in Brunswick. While in Waresboro, Styles published the Georgia Forester, a weekly newspaper. In 1861, Styles was elected as a delegate from Ware County to the Georgia Secession Convention where, along with the other delegate from Ware County, Col. William Angus McDonald, Styles voted to secede. 


Styles. City of Waycross was called Tebeauville at time of Civil War.

Styles left Waresboro at the beginning of the Civil War, when he enlisted in the Confederate Army. After the war, he moved to Atlanta, where he founded The Atlanta Constitution. Hell, he founded or wrote for "at least" 21 newspapers in his career including the Albany News. He left the Constitution and on the wall of the editorial office, Col. Styles left his sword, and on his desk he left his pen. The new editor, James R. Barrick, honored Styles with a poem: "The Sword and the Pen".



A railroad junction located some miles away from Waresboro grew into the city of Waycross, which eventually became the hub of commerce in Ware County.

  
Satilla locomotive.

In 1873, Waycross replaced Waresboro as the county seat, sending the Waresboro area into a slow decline.



The community of Waresboro was granted a city charter by act of the Georgia General Assembly on December 9, 1893. As the neighboring city of Waycross grew, the fortunes of Waresboro diminished. Eventually, the city reverted to an unincorporated community, which remains the current status.


According to the Waycross Journal Herald dated November 13, 1975, Louise Mock donated the oldest home in Ware County to the Okeefenokee Heritage Center. The house originally stood at the intersection of Church Street and Old Stagecoach Road, before being moved, in 1982, to the Heritage Center, where it underwent partial restoration. It was the home of General Thomas Hilliard, and is preserved as The Hillard House at the Heritage Center. It is now on display, and contains furniture, implements, and tools of the period of original occupation.

From Vanishing Georgia


C.W. Tyre Company and Morris Store in Waresville.


The Waresville home of Dr. John Middleton Spence, who once owned over 16,000 acres of land in the area. Dr. Spence went to Galveston after the hurricane of 1900 to assist in the recovery effort. He was so impressed by one house standing amid the ruins of others, with not a shingle touched, that he set about to locate the builder of that house and when he did he brought him back to Waresboro to build this house.


Gabled-Ell Cottage, Waresboro and Waresboro United Methodist Church, 1935, Ware County. Shortly after the town of Waresboro was settled, there were Methodists gathered for services. In 1888, this church was organized; Reverend J. G. Stern was the first pastor.  There were 17 members and they met in a new building. The present frame building was built in 1935.

Millwood

Millwood is an unincorporated community and census-designated place in Ware County, Georgia, United States, located west of Waycross. The 2020 census listed a population of 72.

History

A post office was established at Millwood in 1887.


Post Office and Queen Anne Style Home in Millwood.

From Vanishing Georgia


This hotel in Millwood seems to symbolize the fortunes of Millwood, like so many other railroad towns that dried up as soon as the business did. In fact, the upstairs is still in pretty much original condition. Luckily, neighbors seem to keep an eye on it. It would be a wonderful restoration project. At one time, the railroad siding here was a busy hub but today the trains just speed by on their way into Rice Yard in nearby Waycross.


This brick shell is all that remains of a storefront in Millwood.

The Georgia General Assembly incorporated Millwood as a town in 1905. The town's municipal charter was repealed in 1909.


Millwood’s thriving past is evident in this large schoolhouse. It’s obviously been abandoned for many years.

Manor

Manor (pronounced with a long "a") is an unincorporated community and census-designated place in Ware County, Georgia, United States. It lies southwest of Waycross on U.S. Route 84. The 2020 census listed a population of 94.Manor


It is the former home of Ware Magnet, a Georgia School of Success. After a majority vote by school board members, the K-12 school was closed in May 2010 due to financial issues, despite its academic excellence.

From Vanishing Georgia


Manor United Methodist Church. This church is located on US 84 and is next door to the old Manor School.

Dixie Union

Dixie Union is an unincorporated community and census-designated place in Ware County, Georgia, United States. It lies north of Waycross on U.S. Route 1 and 23.

From Vanishing Georgia


Ezekiel New Congregational Methodist in Dixie Union. This congregation was still active in 1974, when they held their centennial, but now there is fire damage that partially gutted the roof.


Gathering at Ezekiel New Congregational Methodist Church, Ware County, Ga., Circa 1935-1945.


New Elizabeth Baptist Church Dixie Union, Georgia.

Unincorporated communities

Bickley

Bickley is an unincorporated community in Ware County, Georgia, United States. It is located northwest of Waycross and is south of Nicholls, Georgia in Coffee County. Bickley is an agricultural community.

History

A post office called Bickley was established in 1881, and remained in operation until 1909. In 1900, the community had 100 inhabitants.

From Vanishing Georgia


Denton Farmhouse in Bickley.


Central Hallway Farmhouse, Bickley


Bickley United Methodist Church, 1890s. The South Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church notes: This church was organized on March 25, 1888, under the oak trees at the home of William Manning Denton, with Rev. J. G. Ahern as pastor.  The earliest members brought their own cowhide-bottom chairs to meet under the oak trees.  The original building was made from wood sawed from logs at Denton Sawmill and the same building is still in use, having been remodeled in 1935, 1954 and 1976…

Ruskin

Ruskin is an unincorporated community in Ware County, Georgia, United States. It lies between Waycross and Manor on U.S. Route 84.

History

Colonization movements were very popular in that last decade of the 19th century, bringing large numbers of people with shared values together to create a world of their own vision. Ruskin Colony was an example of such a place, named for John Ruskin (Holy Shit this Link) a Victorian art critic, who came from England with the hopes of establishing an agrarian utopia, land being farmed traditionally, with menial mechanical assistance. They bought 1,000 acres in the community of Duke and renamed the village Ruskin. 


The Town of Duke and painting of John Ruskin.

100 families from Tennesee moved here on the basis of Coperative Brotherhood. Founded in 1898, the colony survived for just three years before individuals decided to go their own way. One particular issue which drew ideological divisions through the colony was that of polyamorous relationships, or the practice of "free love", within members of the colony. The colony eventually became mired in constant litigation over issues of property. Some reports suggest that Ruskin was a large and thriving community, though much of this seems apocryphal, considering the community was attempting to attract settlers.


Cannery operation in the Cave Mill at the Ruskin Cooperative, 1896 Strawberry Pickers Ruskin Cooperative, 1897.


Images from Ruskin in the Georgia Archives. Tennessee Free Lovers right here in Georgia.


The church predates the Ruskin experiment by a few years. It’s thought to have been built by a Methodist congregation serving the nearby lost community of Duke but will likely be known forever as the Old Ruskin Church. It has recently been restored and is well-maintained to this day. Its survival of historic wildfires a few years ago is nothing short of miraculous and is quite inspiring.

Notable people

Johnny Archer — professional, pool player "The Scorpion".



Michael P. Boggs — Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Georgia and former judge on the Georgia Court of Appeals.



Stanley Booth — author, journalist, music critic.



Billy Carter — brother of former President Jimmy Carter, promoter of Billy Beer.



Sonora Webster Carver — first woman horse diver.


Come On, Horse diving?

  

Ossie Davis — actor, writer, director, producer, Kennedy Center Honors award recipient, was born in Clinch County. Cogdell is sort of a suburb of Waycross I guess.


Ozzie and Ruby. Serious Ozzie.

Nikki DeLoach — former member of The New Mickey Mouse Club, the girl group Innosense, and actress on the television series North 
Shore and Windfall.

 
I love this gal on the Hallmark Channel.



Harry D. Dixon — state representative; served in the Georgia House of Representatives for 38 years; served on the board of the Georgia 
Department of Transportation.



Drayton Florence — professional football player, cornerback who played 11 seasons in NFL, highest draft pick ever from Tuskegee 
University.



Ernest Jones - professional football player for the Los Angeles Rams.



Tim McCray — professional football player from 1985 to 1990 in the CFL with the Saskatchewan Roughriders.



Leodis McKelvin — former cornerback in the NFL (currently a free agent).



Caroline Pafford Miller — Pulitzer Prize-winning author.



Gram Parsons —country singer and musician; The Byrds, The Flying Burrito Brothers, and solo artist.



TRD Nugget Graham Parsons.



Pernell Roberts — actor, star of TV series Bonanza and Trapper John, M.D., was born in Waycross.


Adam Cartwright on Bonanza.

Bill Shanks — Atlanta Braves sportscaster.



Whew, Ware County. That post went every which way. Now I struggled with my Georgia Natural Wonder Gal theme. I know some of you want a wholesome set of Gals, but I was struck as I uncovered the secrets of Ruskin. You know that Free Love stuff was all hidden in The Wikipedia recount of Ruskin's history. But now it's out there and I present some polyamorous GNW Gals because it's my Forum and my wife is gone and as an old fart widower, I can only imagine.

 

 
What Red Blooded HOTD Man can pass up a two for one Ruskin special.