Jarrell Plantation State Historic Site

The plantation, located in Juliette, GA was started in 1847 by John Jarrell.  It was one of the half  million cotton plantations in the south that produced two thirds of the world's cotton. At its peak, the plantation included 1000 acres.  What makes this site particularly important and interesting is that the plantation/farm continued to be owned by the same family until 1974 when the surviving members of the family donated the plantation/farm to the state. Remaining on the property is the first family home and two subsequent homes lived in by the family along with many work and industrial buildings.

 

The site remains just as it was left by the family.  As you walk the grounds on a self guided tour, the lives of the family, slaves and other workers are revealed.

Just beyond the boundary of the site, there is an additional home operated as a bed and breakfast that is still owned by the Jarrell family.

Mountain scenery and visiting friends

After our family visit, it was time to head into the Georgia mountains to visit friends. We have known Tom and Sally for ten years and they have been full timing for even a longer period. They recently purchased a home in the Georgia mountains near the South Carolina border.  After studying the map, we decided on a scenic climb up the mountains while passing thru a number of small towns.   It was a pleasant drive through the slowly changing colors of fall.  At one point, I noticed that I had picked up seven or so classic corvettes behind me.  Clearly on a rally, I gave them a break and pulled into a turnout so they could pick up the pace.  They were too fast for me to get a picture, but the view was worth the stop.

Tom and Sally have found a beautiful home on a lake with a mountain view.  I know they are going to enjoy their new retreat.  They have room for their motorhome and a spot for us to mooch camp.  We had fun with Rusty, a cute and highly active poodle.  It was a great visit.

After departing for a slow return to Florida, we found ourselves at Indian Springs State Park.  We had looked around this park once before but did not camp there.  This time we settled into a quiet camp spot.  The park is named for a spring that was used by the Native Americans long before the Europeans arrived.  They believed that the springs had healing powers.  Today that same spring is still in use and we observed a number of people filling water jugs at the springs.  Besides the spring and campground, there are a number of day use areas to enjoy.

The next morning, we again headed south.  At lunch time we pulled into the small town of Ellaville to find a place to park for lunch.  We spent well over an hour just walking around enjoying a town that seemed to be still a bit in the past.  I was admiring the outside of the old courthouse, when a lady stuck her head out the door and invited me in to look around.  It seems that they wanted a more modern building farther out from the center of town and this courthouse was being turned into a history and tourist center.  You will likely not find this place in a guide book, but we really enjoyed wandering around this town.