Telfair County: Discover River Landscapes and History

The Ocmulgee River defines Telfair County: it forms the county’s entire southern boundary. Its curved section is known as the “Big Bend.” Montgomery Lake is also part of the region’s river history. The lake is an oxbow of the Ocmulgee River; in 1932, the world-record largemouth bass was caught there. A striking landscape feature and a specific historical event come together here.

Nature and Water Landscapes

Horse Creek WMA covers just over 7,397 acres in Georgia’s Coastal Plain. Little Ocmulgee State Park offers a different connection to the landscape: it lies north of McRae on the Little Ocmulgee River. The lake in the park has a small beach, and the 2.6-mile Oak Ridge Trail is also part of the park. Montgomery Lake on the Ocmulgee River and the park on the Little Ocmulgee River are distinct waterside destinations—a useful distinction when organizing your outings.

For those interested in paddling, the Big Bend Paddlers organize group trips along the Ocmulgee River in Telfair County. Membership is not required to participate. Before planning your schedule, check whether a trip is planned for your travel dates.

History in Buildings and Places

The Telfair Center for the Arts has repurposed the historic administration building of South Georgia College. The administration building of Old South Georgia College is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Telfair County Museum is located in the art center’s Maneely Room. A building, cultural use, and museum all come together in one place.

Liberty Square also offers several specific historical connections. A one-twelfth-scale replica of the Statue of Liberty stands there. It was carved from a tree stump from a nearby swamp using a chainsaw. McRae’s old fire bell is displayed beside the replica.

Those interested in the townscape can take a simple, self-guided walking tour in McRae to see more than 30 homes and churches from the New South era. The Pioneer Historical Society also publishes “Telfair Trails,” a driving tour of the county’s historic sites and buildings. The formats differ: one focuses on a walking tour, the other on a driving tour.

Sugar Creek Plantation was built in 1937 and was the home of Governor Eugene Talmadge and U.S. Senator Herman Talmadge. Today, it is used as a venue for meetings, celebrations, and weddings. If you are planning an event there, confirm availability independently. The Pioneer Historical Society also holds the annual Founder’s Day Celebration in historic Jacksonville.

Where to Stay and How to Plan Activities

Little Ocmulgee State Park Lodge has 60 rooms in the main building and ten cottages by the lake. Since lodging inventory can change, check the latest information if you are considering this accommodation for your trip. The park, lake, and named trail each offer different points of reference for planning your day.

Another recreational option is Wallace Adams Golf Course, an 18-hole course. Its surroundings are characterized by swamp pines, willows, and magnolias. This adds a specific golf option to your trip planning, alongside river and park landscapes.

For a visit to McRae-Helena, you can include the Telfair County Farmers Market in your plans: it is located at 139 N. Third Ave and is open Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Market hours or location details may change, so check before your visit. Together with the annual celebrations in Jacksonville, these offer different occasions to experience local history and events.

Discover more destinations: Mcrae, Sumter, Newton County, Peach County, Spalding, Bleckley County, Seminole County, Camden

For the main travel overview: Georgia.