Wayne County: River Nature, Railroad History, and Excursions

Wayne County combines an impressive river landscape with railroad history and unusual excursion destinations. The Altamaha River forms the county’s northeastern boundary and runs alongside it for more than 60 miles of riverfront. Its corridor includes hardwood bottomland forests, cypress swamps, historic rice fields, and tidal marshes. The undammed river was designated by The Nature Conservancy as one of the “75 Last Great Places on Earth.” Those seeking a mix of nature, water, and culture during their trip will find several distinct focal points here.

Nature and Water Along the Altamaha River

The Sansavilla Wildlife Management Area is located along the Altamaha River and covers 16,867 acres. Another large natural area is the 17,810-acre Little Satilla Wildlife Management Area, with a diverse range of landscapes. Both areas complement the river landscape with different types of terrain, without implying a shared route or any specific distance between them.

The Altamaha River and the Little Satilla River are protected river corridors used year-round by paddlers and anglers. The Altamaha River also offers opportunities for boating, water skiing, camping, swimming, fishing, and hunting. Birdwatching highlights mentioned in Wayne County include bald eagles and swallow-tailed kites. Cycling along bike paths in the county is another possible activity.

Those planning time on the water can consider several access points. In Wayne County, four public and one private boat ramp provide access to the Altamaha River. Oglethorpe Bluff Landing Boat Ramp has two lanes and is also known locally as Pig Farm Landing. Jaycee Landing offers camping, a bait shop, a wooden pier, a boat ramp, a floating dock, and a picnic pavilion. Lake Lindsay Grace is a 240-acre lake with three boat ramps.

Jesup and Railroad History

An important location for the historical focus is Jesup. Jesup’s train depot was built in 1903 by the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad. The restored Jesup Depot includes a passenger waiting room, a community room, and the Welcome Center of the Wayne County Board of Tourism. At the Wayne County Railfan Platform, you can watch trains from beneath a shaded shelter and listen to radio communications between engineers and train crews on passing Amtrak, Norfolk Southern, and CSX trains.

Jesup also offers historical points of interest away from the tracks. The original Jesup Water Tower at the Jesup Water Works Center was built in 1912 as part of the water supply system. The Wayne County Courthouse has a tall clock tower with a pyramidal roof and an open belfry. The historic streetscape also includes the Clary Whaley House, home of Willis Clary, Jesup’s first mayor, as well as the John W.C. Trowell House in the Classical Queen Anne Victorian style.

History, Events, and Unique Stories

The Heritage Center of the Wayne County Historical Society is located in a restored railroad section house. In Old Town Jesup, PorchFest takes place every year, with musical groups performing on lawns and porches. Another, considerably older story is the Ghost Light, which was seen for more than 125 years along the railroad tracks on Bennett Road between Screven and Jesup. Screven also has a viewing area for railroad enthusiasts at Martha Frazier Fisher Park on Martha Street, as well as an annual Independence Day celebration.

Doctortown and Fort James are also part of the county’s historical landscape. A permit is required to visit the Doctortown Park battlefield west of the railroad viaduct. At Doctortown, a historic monument stands on U.S. 301 on the north side of the river near the site of the Confederate victory. Fort James was established along the Altamaha River as a trading post; its garrison was maintained for approximately 20 years. The site provided protection for people crossing the river.

Which Accommodation Fits Your Travel Plans?

When looking for a vacation rental or vacation home in Wayne County, it is worth deciding on your preferred travel focus first. For nature and water experiences, the river corridors, boat ramps, landing sites, and Lake Lindsay Grace play an important role. Those more interested in local history, trains, and regional stories can include Jesup, Screven, and the historic sites around Doctortown in their research. Upper County Landing offers a view of the river, a picnic area, and a nature trail. Cracker Williams Park has a pavilion with restrooms and a picnic area; public use is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

More destinations at this level: Haralson County, Gwinnett, Pike County, Dooly County, Candler County, Screven, Monroe.

For the higher-level travel overview: Georgia.