Ulcofauhatchee
main line of the Georgia Railroad Company. is is the original track that ran from Charleston to Augusta, and then to Madison. e Madison to Atlanta branch was completed in 1845. Aer much wrangling over whether the economic boon of the railroad would pass through Oxford or Covington on its way to Atlanta, a compromise was made, positioning the track between the two. is decision would have historical implications in the next quarter-century. e alcovy river Station community grew up around the crossing of the railroad and the river and was one of the earliest thriving communities in Newton County. It was not until 1886 that the first church was organized at Alcovy Station. Reverends Joseph Abner McGarity and Tom Greer built the Rock Cut Protestant Methodist Church, a brush arbor they situated in the solid rock bank, cut to pave the way for railroad almost 41 years prior. In 1890, Reverend McGarity was one the incorporators of the Alcovy & Northern, a proposed railway from Alcovy Station to Jersey in Walton County. is line was never built. As the country entered the 20th century, railroads became less vital to the economy, and communities such as Alcovy River Station disappeared. Crossing the railroad, turn right onto Alcovy Trestle Road.
A page from one of Dr. Wharton’s meticulous journals outlining a day trip through the Tupelo Gum swamps of the Alcovy River in 1966. Photo: GWF riding on tracks, but pulled by a pair of mules. Continue to the end of Cochran Road. [12] Straight ahead, you’ll see the back gate of the Georgia Wildlife Federation’s property and an information kiosk. Further south on the eastern bank of the river is the mcgarity Wetlands Preserve. e 136-acre site is owned by the University of Georgia and is used by the Odum School of Ecology as a wetland research and outdoor
laboratory. e Odum School is named for Dr. Eugene Pleasant Odum, an early 20th century Covington resident, oen referred to as the “father of modern ecology.” Odum’s grandfather, William Pleasant Odum, moved to Newton County in 1897 to enroll his sons at Emory College at Oxford. Return to Hazelbrand Road and turn right. [13] As the road curves, you will cross the
From the Newton County Pumping Station on Alcovy Trestle Road, water is pumped out of the Alcovy River and into Lake Roy L. varner and City Pond. e Georgia Environmental Protection Division sets a maximum withdrawal amount and a minimum river flow level for pumping to ensure the integrity of the river’s water quantity and quality. [14] To your right, you see the alcovy river trestle. On July 20, 1864, General W. T. Sherman sent these orders to Brigadier General Kenner Garrard: “From Covington send detachments to destroy the railroad bridge east of Covington over the Ulcofauhachee… Be prepared with axes, hatchets and bars to tear up sections of track and
Alcovy River Ramble: e Swamps
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