March 23, 2022 Stormy and Alligators

As I was making reservations, I came upon the history of Magnolia Springs State Park:

“Magnolia Springs State Park encompasses over 1,000 acres between Perkins and Millen, Georgia. The park is named after, and built around, the crystal-clear spring water that flows through the area. During the Civil War, the area now encompassed by the park, was known as Camp Lawton. A stockade held Union soldiers captured as prisoners of war. The site was selected due to the abundant water supply. Between August and November 1864, Camp Lawton was planned, built, operated, and eventually abandoned. Despite its brief tenure, the prison held over 10,000 soldiers and was said to be the largest prison in the world at the time. The stockade was closed in November 1864, and its prisoners routed to other camps as General William T. Sherman’s army closed in during his infamous “March to the Sea.” In 2010, archaeology teams from nearby Georgia Southern University uncovered parts of the stockade wall and artifacts from prisoners. Several of these artifacts are interpreted at the Magnolia Springs History Center located inside the park. Presently, archaeologists and historians continue to study this historic property to uncover more details about the camp and its occupants.

After the Civil War, the springs became a popular recreation destination long before the park was established. This area was used for picnics, church gatherings, reunions, and swimming for local citizens. These same citizens pushed for the development of the area for years until the park was officially created in 1939. Like many early Georgia state parks, much of the infrastructure of Magnolia Springs was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps, also known as the “CCC.” The CCC was responsible for damming the spring-fed stream to create a large swimming area for visitors, as well as building roads, a bathhouse, and other park buildings.”

So I made reservations hoping to do some of the trails and see some of the artifacts.  However, there were many warnings of high winds and severe thunderstorms so we watched the radar as our location was between the worst of it.  Thank God.  By mid afternoon, it started to clear up and we decided to do the Beaver Trail which was right behind us:

Lots of trees with no bark:

The trail led to the northern edge of Magnolia Lake:

A beautiful trail just as the leaves are beginning to sprout:

And back home again:

Since it was later in the day and there was still the threat of severe storms, we decided to take a ride around the park and check out some of the other sites.

Yes, we did see them – Yikees!!!

The southern edge of Magnolia Lake:

It was beautiful:

Look closely in the middle of the picture – Yep, that is an alligator:

From there we drove over to the Springs – Crystal clear water:

Lots of turtles:

A little more information on the springs:

One of the most interesting things for me is that this spring delivers almost 9 million gallons of water EVERY DAY – WOW!

See those little black dots on the water – all turtles.  They were so cute.

I walked over to the Spring Mill Branch of the river and found more alligators.  They were everywhere.

We did not get to see the Museum (closed) nor the Fort so we hope to stop here again one day.  Tomorrow we continue our journey north.