Wayne County: River Landscapes and Railroad History

The Altamaha River forms the northeastern border of Wayne County and runs along more than 60 miles of the county’s riverbanks. Its landscapes and many historic traces make nature and local history two defining themes for your trip.

River Landscapes and Nature

The Altamaha corridor includes hardwood floodplain forests, cypress swamps, historic rice fields, and tidal marshes. The river is free-flowing and has been designated by The Nature Conservancy as one of the “75 Last Great Places on Earth.” The Sansavilla Wildlife Management Area, covering 16,867 acres, lies along the Altamaha. The Little Satilla Wildlife Management Area covers 17,810 acres and is known for its diverse landscapes.

Wayne County is well suited to birdwatching; species mentioned include bald eagles and swallow-tailed kites. The rivers also offer different perspectives on the landscape: the Little Satilla River and the Altamaha River are protected corridors used year-round by paddlers and anglers. Boating, water skiing, camping, swimming, and hunting are also listed as outdoor activities on the Altamaha River.

Water Access and Riverfront Sites

Four public and one private access ramps provide access to the Altamaha River in Wayne County. Jaycee Landing offers camping, a bait shop, a boardwalk, a boat ramp, a floating dock, and a picnic pavilion. Oglethorpe Bluff Landing Boat Ramp has two lanes and is also known locally as Pig Farm Landing.

Lake Lindsay Grace is a 240-acre lake with three boat ramps providing access to the water. Upper County Landing offers a river view, a picnic area, and a nature trail. Cracker Williams Park has a pavilion with restrooms and a picnic area. Use of the park area is on a first-come, first-served basis.

Jesup: Railroad and Architecture

The Jesup rail depot was built in 1903 by the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad. The restored depot includes a passenger waiting room, a community room, and the Wayne County Board of Tourism Welcome Center. At the Wayne County Railfan Platform, visitors 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’s history is also told through its architecture. The Wayne County Courthouse has a tall clock tower topped with a pyramid-shaped roof and an open belfry. The original Jesup Water Tower at the Jesup Water Works Center was built in 1912 as part of Jesup’s water supply system. The Jesup Goldfish Pond was given to the school by the 1936 graduating class of Jesup High School. The Clary Whaley House was home to Willis Clary, Jesup’s first mayor; the John W.C. Trowell House is a building in the Classical Queen Anne Victorian style. The Wayne County Historical Society Heritage Center is located in a restored railroad section house.

Local Life and Historic Sites

The Wayne County Catfish Tournament is held annually in Jesup. PorchFest is also held annually with the approval or support of the City of Jesup. Musical groups perform on lawns and porches in Old Town Jesup. Screven holds an annual Independence Day celebration; Martha Frazier Fisher Park on Martha Street also has a viewing area for railfans. If you plan to attend one of these events, check the specific dates for your travel period.

A local legend connects Screven and Jesup: the Ghost Light has been seen for more than 125 years along the railroad tracks on Bennett Road between the towns. In Doctortown, a historic marker stands on U.S. 301 on the north side of the river, near the site of the Confederate victory. A permit is required to visit the Doctortown battlefield park west of the railroad trestle.

Planning Your Trip

When planning your stay, you can first decide whether river landscapes and birdwatching or railroad history and local life should take priority. The named sites are spread across different locations in Wayne County. Choose your hotel based on the places you want to visit, and check routes and event dates for your travel period.

Discover more destinations: Jesup, White County, Tift, Greene, Ware, Lumpkin County, Bleckley County, Mcintosh.

For the broader travel overview: Georgia.