From the hills of Habersham to Tybee Light... [1952]

Georgia
Department of Par ~-.~~f~ Historic-al Sites &Monumen~s~~
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ANNUA L
19 52

An !Jnvilalion to you
From Georgia's Chief Executive
Georgia is the proud possessor of a magnificent chain of parks conveniently located all over the State. These vast playgrounds that are found in the picturesque mountains of North Georg ia and the plains and coastal areas of South and Centra l Georgia are treasured gifts of Nature.
Our State Parks also have a great education al value with each park telling its own story. Some of the parks are historical sites wh ich depict the hardships and struggles of early pioneer citizens. Some were important battle fields during the War Between the Stares. Others were homes or birthplaces of Georgians of great renown or beautiful places that the people desired to have dedicated to brave men who gave their lives during the recent World Wars.
It is the object of the State Government to preserve and mainta in these places of historic value and scenic beauty for the convenience and enjoyment of the public.
As Governor of Georgia it gives me genuine pleasure to extend to the people of our State, and to all people who might read this book , a cordial invitation to share the wealth that Mother Nature ha s bestowed upon us. Visit one or more of Georgia 's State Parks soon.
Sincerely,
~e_ fiL-r-
HERMAN TALMADGE
_4 me,S:Sa~
From the Director of State Parks
It has been my effort as Director of State Parks to improve all park area s generally and to develop all new Park areas as rapid ly as possible and I am happy to report that with the close of 1951 we have set a record of accomplishments in carrying out our plans.
During the past year we instituted a system of utilizing prison la bor to great advantage and with this medium at our disposal , we have been able to do a job of general maintenance and repairing that otherwise would not have been possible.
Georgia 's great chain of Parks are becoming increasingly important as vacation and recreational spots. The attendance each year is growing and creating a demand for additional facilities all over the State. We sh all meet this demand as rapidly as possible and shall continue to preserve and maintain the great treasure of natural scenic beauty that is our heritage.
A s Director of State Parks, I wish to extend to the people of Georg ia, and to other people who may visit our State , a special invitation to visit not one but many of our State Parks.
Sincere ly,
~~ A. N. MOYE

Georgia must indeed be one of Mother Nature's chosen states because it is so rich in scenic beauty from the mountains to the sea. To ride over Georgia is a ioy that everyone should experience in order to realize the full value of the great wealth that nature has bestowed upon us. Long before there was ever a State Parks Department such native poets as Sidney Lanier and Frank L. Stanton were raving about "Georgia the beautiful".
"Blest be thy holy hills and plains Georgia Land, dear Georgia Land. The sunlight twinkling through thy rains, Georgia Land, dear Georgia Land. God have thee ever in His keep From mountain walls to stormy deep, Until upon thy breast we sleep, Georgia Land, dear Georgia Land."
Many of these beautiful and historical places are known today as Georgia State Parks and are preserved, maintained and operated by the State Parks Department for the convenience of the public.
There are twenty-four park areas under the iurisdiction of the State Parks Department and fifteen of these areas are either developed or under development.
The year 1951 marked a year of record improvement throughout the entire system. All park areas were improved generally and in many cases new buildings were erected, boat docks, dams and spillways were constructed or repaired and practically all buildings were renovated.
Almost a half-million pine seedlings were planted on park property as part of a restoration program and every lake in the system was checked and where necessary were drained and restocked.
The plan of improvement is continuing and soon new parks such as Allatoona, White County Area, Black Rock Mountain and others will be open to the public.
There is a State Park within easy driving distance of your home town and you are invited to enioy the many facilities of Georgia's enchanting State Parks.

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CHEHAW STATE PARK
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CHEHAW State Park is located onl y three miles North of Albany
on old U. S. # 19. It consists
of 600 acres of the most historical and fertile ground in Georgia. Lo cated in Dougherty County near the thriving City of A lbany, Chehaw is named for a picturesque tribe of Creek Indians whose rich hunting and fishing lands once included the most of the Piedmont plateau and Coastal plains of the Southern States.
This Park is primarily a day-use area and is one of the most frequented in Georgia.
AMICALOLA FALLS STATE PARK
AMICALOLA Falls State Park consists of 239 highly scenic acres and is located in Dawson County about halfway between Dawsonville and Ellijay. The Falls here are the highest in Georgia with the total drop of 739 ft and is considered one of Georgia 's seven natural wonders. The Indians call the Falls "Amicalolah" which means " Tumbling Waters " and it has been one of Georgia 's top tourist attractions for many years.

ALEXANDER H.
STEPHENS
MEMORIAL
STATE PARK
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ALEXANDER H. Stephens Memorial State Park is one of the most historically interesting of Georgia 's State Parks. A sh rine in honor of the great Georgia Statesman of the Confederacy, Alexander H. Stephens, this Park is located near Crawfordville in Taliaferro County.
Principal and most interesting landmark in this Park is Liberty Hall, the antebellum mansion ihat was the home of Mr Stephens through most of his lifetime.
Alexander H. Stephens R.D.A. is the 937 acre Recreational Demonstration Area containing organized Group Camping facilities sufficient to care for 96 campers plus counselors and other camping staff.
This Park is equipped with covered picnic tables and outdoor fireplaces which are available the year round .

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VOGEL State Park lies in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Georgia and in the heart of the Chattahoochee National Forest.
At Vogel you will find beautiful Lake Trahlyta which covers forty acres and offers fishing, swimming and boating. Here you will find bathhouses, a dock , swimming float and official diving boards.
While riding the horses, or hiking if you like, you may explore the many beautiful mountain trails which lead to such scenic sights as Neel 's Gap, Brasstown Bald, tallest mountain in Georgia , the Appalachian Trail and Lake Winfield Scott.
Total number of cottages is twenty-seven, accommodating from two to eight people or more. These cottages are of rustic design and all are furnished with necessary modern equipment for housekeeping with the exceFtion of bed sheets, pillow cases and towels. AI kitchens are equipped with electric stoves, electric refrigerators and hot water heaters.
Walasiyi Inn is another feature of Vogel State Park. It is a picturesque stone Inn that has overnight accommodations for thirty guests and of-
fers excellent meals three times daily at reasonable prices. Walasiyi is a stopping point on the Appalachian Trail and overlooks magnificent Neel's Gap and some of the most beautiful scenery in Georgia.

LAURA S. WALKER STATE PARK
LAURA S. Walker State Park is located approximately ten miles southeast of Waycross and is one of the most accessible State Parks in Georgia. O riginally part of the Coastal Flatwoods Utilization Project Laura S. Walker consists of 160 acres and is very close to the nationally famous Okefenokee Swamp Park.
This Park, noted for its organized group camping facilities, is open the entire year Its climate is mild and conducive to all sorts of outdoor sports. Lake Walker on which the group camping area is located, is one of the most popular lakes in the State with people who enjoy fishing and boating. It is large in area and well populated with native game fish.
Organized camping facilities at Laura S. Walker consists of four groups of four cabins each, a large mess hall and four bathhouses. Each cabin is provided with eight bunks with individual lockers for the occupants. A total of I 12 campers can be accommodated exclusive of the overhead camp personnel. Two of the cabins are reserved for the use of camp personnel while the remaining 14 cabins are available to campers. The mess hall consists of completely equipped dining room and kitchen, refrigera tion room, storage room and a small room used as quarters for kitchen help. Four bathhouses are equipped with showers, washstands, toiletries, etc. A bathhouse is provided for each of the four cabin groups.
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WHITE (OUNTY AREA
WHITE County Area is one of our latest State Park udditions which has not yet been officially named. The Park is in White County near the towns of Helen and Robertstown and consists of 1800 acres which were leased from the Federal Government for the purpose of building a State Park.
This Park is in about the same area as Vogel and recently a Dam and Spillway have been completed which will create a beautiful 49 acre lake. This lake will be stocked with fish and will provide boating, fishing and swimming.
The White County Area State Park will be very similar to Vogel and when completed will have cabins, concession building, bathhouses and many other park facilities.

CLOUDLAND CANYON STATE PARK
GEORGIA'S " Little Grand Canyon " Park is located in the extreme Northwest corner of the State near Trenton in Dade County. An area of 2,370 acres, Cloudland Canyon offers vast potentialities as the site of a State Park and has some of the most majestic scenery in the State.
Atop Lookout Mountain in the beautiful foothills of the Appalachian Range, only eleven miles from the Georgia -Tennessee border this park offers one of the most enchanting natural lookout points in the State.
Although it has been a State-owned recreational area for several years Cloudland Canyon is still largely undeveloped. First steps were taken toward development recently by the construction of a picnic area, including shelter and grills, and clearing of trails to facilitate access to the beauties of this area.

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JEFFERSON DAVIS MEMORIAL STATE PARK

JEFF Davis State Park is one of the most historical and hallowed spots in the entire South. It commemorates the spot where Jefferson Davis, President of the Confederacy, was captured by Federal troops during the War Between the States, 1861-65.
An appropriate stone marker designates the exact spot on which Davis was captured on May I0, 1865. A few yards away, on the edge of the little woodland that surrounds the area, is another marker which shows where a U. S. Soldier was killed during the battle that preceded Davis ' capture.
This Park is reached via Georgia Highway #32 and is near many South Georgia towns.

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CROOKED RIVER STATE PARK

ON U. S. Highway 17 near Kingsland one of Georgia 's most popular State Parks, namely Crooked River, .is to b~ found. Crooked River State Park is the only inland park 1n Georg1a where salt water fishing is available. It borders on Crooked River seven miles from the Atlantic Ocean and the entire surroundings teem with early American History and tradition.
One of the outstanding features of Crooked River State Park is the excellent Marsh Hen hunting directly across Crooked River opposite the Park. You will find several hundred acres of marsh providing some of the finest Marsh Hen hunting on the East Coast The hunting season opens October I and closes November 30 and there is a bag limit of 15 per day and possession limit of 30 per day. Hunting is best at high tide and boats may be rented from the Park Superintendent There is playground equipment available for the children and for adults there is supervised boating, fi shing , swimm ing, hiking and picnick-

ing. Accommodation facilities at Crooked River consist of ten completely equipped cottages which are rented by the week or week-end at reasonable rates.
Adjacent to C rooked River is Santa Maria Mission State Park Area with unusually well preserved tabby ruins of the early Santa Maria Spanish Mission. This mission was built in the early 1600's.

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ALLATOONA STATE PARK

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ALLATOONA State Park is near the towns of Acworth and Cartersville off U. S. Highway #41 The Park is on the shore of the huge Allatoona Lake recently created by the construction of A llatoona Dam.
The Federal Government leased to Georgia I,457 acres on Allatoona Lake for the purpose of building a State Park. The Park contains a beautiful beach area and recently modern bathhouse facilities have been completed. When completed Allatoona State Park will be one of the most popular recreational areas in the South.
A superintendent is presently on duty and this summer lifeguards will be on hand to supervise swimming.

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FORT MOUNTAIN

STATE PARK

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A VERITABLE scenic paradise, Fort Mountain State Park is located

high among the southern most peaks of the Bl ue Ridge chain near

Chatsworth , Georgia.

The principal historical attraction at Fort Mountain is the ancient

stone fort that sits atop one of the tallest mountains in the Park.

Said to have been erected by the Indians of Northern Georg ia as a

bastion against DeSoto 's conquering legions, this old fort built around

the year 1630, is without a doubt one of the oldest forti-

fications on the American Continent

MAGNOLIA SPRING STATE PARK
MAGNOLIA Spring is located on Georgia Highway 21 and U. S. Highway 25 about halfway between Waynesboro and Statesboro near the thriving C ity of Millen. This I I00-acre Park in Jen kins County long has been famous because of Magnolia Spring. From this spring flows an estimated nine million gallons of crystal clear water

each day. This water, because of the great depth from which it originates, is almost as cold as ice. It bubbles from the ground and forms a beautiful pool twelve to fifteen feet deep. This pool is so clear that fish and marine plants can ea sily be seen on its bottom.
Magnol ia Spring is e specially popular with swimmers during the season because of its excellent facilitie s for bathing. It is equipped with a casino, bathhouse , beach and concession stands. It also has a picn ic shelter with concrete tables, and t wo fine fishing lakes, one of 40 acres and a 50 acre lake recently completed.

Spend a Vacation at one of Georgia's State Parks

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GEORGIA VETERANS
MEMORIAL
STATE PARK
FEW parks in the State have better natural advantages than those offered by Georgia Veterans Memorial situated on Lake Blackshear This area has long been a popular recreational spot with the fishermen of Georgia. It is said to be the only fresh water lake in the State which supports commercial fishermen.
You reach Georgia Memorial State Park by U. S. Highway #41 and State Highways #7 and #20 , just ten miles from the flourishing City of Cordele, deep in South Georgia. Seventy miles of roads lined with trees and the Spanish moss so dear to the hearts of South Georgians, wind around the beautiful 13,000 acre lake on which there are many privately owned cabins. Although one of the newest of Georg ia's Parks, development is progressing at a rapid rate.
The park is not without its share of Georg ia history. A stone marker commemorates the site of old Fort Early, several miles from park property, which was an outpost against the Indians in Georg ia's early days. This fort was the headquarters of General Blackshear from whom the lake gets its name. This park is one of the largest and most beautiful of Georgia 's State Parks. It provides a gathering point for the people of its section and serves a useful purpose to the public, thoroughly in keeping with the exalted motives of those who foresaw its future as a State Park.
At this Park you will find a Veterans Memoria l Bu ilding completely equipped with restaurant and fountain facilities; two overnight cabins and seven vacation cabins fully equipped and available for tourist by the week or weekend at reasonable rates.
Among the many facilities of this park are modern sta bles and tracks which have recently attracted northern horse owners who now winter their horses at Georg ia Veterans Memorial.
The newest construction at Georgia Veterans Memoria l is a Safety Patrol School that should be completed in the near future, also a new boat dock and concession building near the beach area.

No Admission Charge and
no Fishing Fees at any of Georgia's State Parks

HARD LABOR CREEK STATE PARK
HARD Labor Creek State Park, with
its 5,816 acres of southern woodlands, contains two group camps and two beautiful lakes. The Park is located two miles north of Rutledge on Georg ia
Highway # 12.
The largest of the two lakes, known as Lake Rutledge, consisting of 275 acres provides fishing and boating. In the area of this lake are the two group ca mps namely Camp Rutledge and Camp Daniel Morgan. The group camps are very si milar to Army camps with central dining hall. infirmary, staff quarters and other necessary facilities. These ca mps are for organized groups, such as boy scouts, church groups and the like. On the beautiful 45-acre Lake Brantley, noted for its splendid fishing , is located the day-use area with its picnic and barbecue shelters, bathhouse and swimming area. Th is area is most popular as a spot for barbecue and school picnics.
Hard Labor Creek Recreational Dem onstration Area was laid out by the National Park Service to demonstrate what could be done in Group Camping. Thi s was deeded to the State of Georgia in February 1946 by the Federa l Government.

INDIAN SPRINGS STATE PARK
WHAT is believed to be the oldest State Park in the nation is located on State Highway #42 and was formerly known as "Gunpowder Springs" It was given this name by Douglas Watson, a government scout who was the first white man to discover this spring in 1792. Because the sulphur fumes from the water smelled like gunpowder the scout gave it the name of Gunpowder Springs. However in 1825, the Creek Indians relinquished the last of their land to the State which included this Park area and they specified that the spring be open to the public. Thus the first State Park in Georgia was established and the name was changed to Indian Springs. This famous spring was once sacred to the Creek Indians for its healing qualities and they would bring their ailing loved ones from many miles around to drink this powerful water The white man soon took up this habit and the spring is now one of the outstanding health spots in the United States; the water has been found to contain 12 different minerals and I0 combinations of minerals. Its curative powers have been enjoyed by people from all parts of the world.
The Park is primarily a day-use area that offers two large picnic groves and abounds in picturesque trails for hikers. A large stone pavilion where refreshments may be purchased faces the spring house near the center of the Park area and a newly equipped children 's playground is situated near the creek.
The bottom floor of the Museum Building is used as a health bathhouse where heated spring water baths are given and are noted throughout the country for their health-giving effects.

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KOLOMOKI MOUNDS
STATE PARK

KOLOMOK I Mound State Park is neor Blakely and is only about fifteen miles from the GeorgiaAlabama line. The Park is located only a f~w miles off U. S. Highway #27, one of the most traveled thoroughfares in the nation, which gives it a favorable position for attracting tourists. It consists of I,283 acres.

Scene of some of the most interesting Indian mounds in the Southeast this historic Park is just now being developed by the State of Georgia. The first important step towards its activation was taken recently by the construction of an impounding dam. This dam created a 75-acre lake that is suitable for fishing, swimming and boating.

Archaeological investigations have been carried on under the direction of qualified archaeologists since the summer of 1948. An lndion Burial Mound was included in these excavations and sufficient material was found in this mound to justify the setting up of an in-place exhibit A mound cover building to house this in-place exhibit has been completed and was opened to the public in mid August of 1950. The first unit of a proposed museum building is complete with exhibits.

The mounds at Kolomoki have excited the curi-

osity of white men since Early County was first laid

out in 1818. The Creek Indians, who once inhabited

this rich valley near the Chattahoochee River, looked

upon the mounds with awe and superstition and

would not disturb them. They were first invaded by

white men when early settlers dug into the mounds

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seeking treasure. However only bones were dis-

covered, indicating that the mounds were the burial

grounds of an Indian tribe long extinct

The large mound at Kolomoki is one of the most impressive in the Southeast At its base it is larger than a football field and it rises in the form of an elongated rectangular pyramid to a height of 57 feet. At its top is a level plane approximately 156 feet long and 66 feet wide. It is estimated that the piling of the one hundred thousand tons of earth used in building the mound required labor equivalent to that of one thousand savages working for an entire year According to Mr Jesse D. Jennings, an archaeologist for the National Park Service, the Kolomoki Mounds area is rich in artifacts of the Swift Creek type, one of the earlier Indian culture of the Southeast.

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LITTLE OCMULCiEE STATE PARK
ALMOST halfway between Macon and Brun swick and three miles northeast of the City of McRae on State Highway 31 you will find Little Ocmulgee State Park. Thi s Park , composed of I,395 acres, is situated in one of the most prosperous and hospitable sections of Georgia and is open the year round.
With its rolling sand hills dotted with Georg ia pines and small oaks, Little O cmulgee provides one of the healthiest outdoor atmospheres in the State for hiking and picnic parties. It is particularly suitable for picnics, barbecues and other outdoor parties because of its large covered barbecue pits and picnic shelters that are available throughout the year
The 300 acre lake which has recently been under repair is now completed and is open for fishing and boating. Thi s lake provides some of the best fi shing in the State. Native Georgia fish such as bream, ba ss and perch abound in thi s locality.

BLACK ROCK MT.
STATE PARK
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BLACK Rock Mt. State Park is located in Rabun County north of Clayton and west of Mountain City. The Park area consists of I I00 acres and goes to the very top of Black Rock Mountain. On top of the mounta in there is a very picturesque picnic area overlooking the towns of Clayton and Mountain City.
Thi s Park is now under development.

Visit one of Georgia's State Parks soon

FRANKLIN D.
ROOSEVELT
STATE PARK
FRANKLIN D. Roosevelt State Park was designed with the personal interest of our late beloved President Roosevelt It is Georgia 's largest and most complete State Park, tra-
versed by scenic Highway # 190 along the top of Pine
Mountain near Ch ipley to Warm Springs, Georg ia. Outstanding features are its bea utiful scenic vistas overlooking Pine Mo untain Valley , beautiful stone inn, vacation cabins, lake area , swimming pool and mountain trails. It is locabd near the Little White House in Wa rm Springs and the spirit of President Roosevelt still prevails on every turn. Stone cottages accommodating overnight guests surround the beautiful stone Inn which serves excelbnt meals at popular prices and is adjoined by one of the South 's most attractive patios.
The swimming pool, as suggest~d by President Roosevelt wa s designed and shaped in the form of a Liberty Bell wif1 the wading pool at the top. The pool with three officiul laminated diving boards and water slides, and the bathhouse of natural stone, form one of the most beautiful swimming area s in Georgia. Playground equipment adjoins the pool.
There are two large free picnic areas with picnic shelters, tables and playgrounds, one located near Lake Delano, the other located near the swimming pool. Lake Delano recently wa s restocked with 15,000 blue-gilled bream.
Al so in the Park are two complete group camping area s with camping facilities for any organized groups such a s church groups, aquatic schools, boy scouts, girl scouts, Y.M .C.A. , fraternities or clu b s. Each camp includes individual squad cabins completely equipped kitchen and dining halls, administration building and infirmary, playground ;, doc s, help quarters, counselor cabins and administratio:1 staff quarters. Both areas are located on Lake Franklin.

PARKS UNDER DEVELO MENT

STONE MOUNTA IN STATE PARK
* * N ANC Y HART STATE PARK
FORT YARGO STATE PARK

For information on : JEKYLL IS LA ND STATE PARK , Address Jekyll Island Authority , 304 Grant Bldg ., Atlanta , Ga .

STO NE MOUNTAIN STATE PARK ,
Stone Mountain Authority,
Address Scott Candler, Chairman , Decatur, Ga.

FORT KING GEORGE STATE PARK JEKYLL ISLAN D STATE PARK

For in format ion on all other State Parks, Address:
DEPARTMENT OF STATE PARKS
418-1 9-20 State Capitol Atlanta , Georg ia
Telephone CYpress 1791

A. N. MOYE Director

JOHN "WADE" MALOOF Director of Publ icity and Recreati on

JOHN M. MANN

MARJORIE E. MURPHEY

Assistant Director and Ch ief Eng ineer

Ex ecutive Secretary-Treasurer

PHOTO.;RAPHS BYArthur Ecuterl ing Longino & Porter Inc Ed Friend, Atlan c1 Gc1: Edwa rds Studoo Clayton. Ga Sidney Ridley McRae Ga