Scenic Byway Designations
Scenic Byways are roadways specially designated by the
Georgia
Department of Transportation that showcase the culture, history, and
landscapes of Georgia. While acting as important transportation
corridors, Scenic Byways also serve local communities as a venue for
preservation, tourism, and economic development. Scenic Byways
provide intrinsic qualities to the region in addition to their
transportation value.
Historic Piedmont
The Historic Piedmont Scenic Byway runs through Putnam and
Hancock County for a total of 82 miles. The Scenic Byway begins at
the intersection of SR 142 with SR 16 in Putnam County and continues
east along SR 16 in Putnam through Eatonton, crossing the Oconee
River into Hancock County, through Sparta to the Hancock/Warren
County line at Jewell. This is farmland, picturesque in the late
summer and early fall as hayfields cover the landscape.
There are also northern and southern Scenic Byway sections in
Hancock County. The northern section begins in Sparta with SR 15 -
the rolling landscape in Hancock is particularly evident in the
pasturelands and wooded areas representative of this part of Route
15. The Byway continues heading north to SR 77 and south to SR 16 at
Shoulderbone Creek. The Shoulderbone Creek bridge is an attractive
old bridge dating from the early 20th century with views of the
Millmore gristmill, and the Vinson-Harris-Lovejoy house. Including
the SR 16 section, this forms a complete loop from Sparta. The
southern section begins in Sparta with the intersection of SR 15/16
and Boland Road, travels south to Brown Chapel Road to the second
intersection with Linton Road, then goes towards the Linton
Community.
For the most part, the route is rural with some residential and
passes through national forests and Wildlife Management Areas (WMA).
The rural character blends smoothly and enhances the area’s history,
archaeology, natural beauty, and recreational opportunities that
serve citizens and tourists well.
Roads Included in the Byway
are state routes 15 and 16, Boland Road, Brown Chapel Road and
Linton Road.
Ocmulgee-Piedmont
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The Ocmulgee-Piedmont Scenic Byway begins in downtown Gray on
Highway 11. The second scenic environment is the beautiful rural
viewshed between the City of Gray and the Bradley community. The
route continues north on Highway 11 for approximately nine miles
where it passes through the communities of Bradley, Wayside, and
Round Oak and then intersects Round Oak-Juliette Road. The route
proceeds west for approximately 12 miles along Round-Oak Juliette
Road through the Piedmont National Wildlife Refuge to its terminus
at the Ocmulgee River.
The Ocmulgee-Piedmont Scenic Byway traverses 200 years of Jones
County history as well as the pre-historic and historic sites of the
Creek Indians that lived there in the 17th and 18th centuries. What
is now SR 11 was formerly an Indian trail and a major north-south
route between Hillsboro in Jasper County and Clinton, Jones County’s
19th century county seat. In 1864, during the Civil War, opposing
forces met along this road at the Battle of Sunshine Church, and
later that year General Sherman followed this route through Jones
County on his “March to the Sea.”
The Round Oak-Juliette Road portion of the Byway was originally an
Indian trail and now travels through the pristine pine forests of
the Piedmont National Wildlife Refuge, which is inhabited by several
species of endangered wildlife. East Juliette, the endpoint of the
byway, is a small late 19th/early 20th century mill village
community located on the Ocmulgee River. The town of Juliette, on
the other side of the river, was the setting for the 1991 film Fried
Green Tomatoes.
Roads Included in the Byway:
- SR 11 from the depot in downtown Gray, north to Round
Oak-Juliette Road
- Round Oak-Juliette Road from SR 11 west to the Ocmulgee
River
Enduring Farmlands Scenic Byway
Middle Georgia’s newest state designated scenic byway is
the Enduring Farmlands Scenic Byway. Officially designated
by the Georgia Department of Transportation on March 17,
2011, the Enduring Farmlands Scenic Byway Byway’s rich rural
character and pastoral landscape consists of abundant
natural resources, farm buildings and fields, pastures,
orchards, historic towns, churches and houses.
The
Enduring Farmlands Scenic Byway Route begins at the
Hawkinsville’s historic Old Opera House, located at the
corner of Broad and S. Lumpkin Streets. From the Opera House
the route travels east for one block on Broad Street/Highway
129, where it turns right onto Highway 129 traveling past
historic residences, Mile Branch Park/Pulaski County Boat
Landing, and the Hawkinsville Harness Horse Racing Facility.
At the intersection of Highway 233 the byway makes a
right and passes the historic Cedar Creek Baptist Church and
Cemetery. The route follows Highway 233 until the road ends
at the intersection with Highway 112. At the stop sign, go
left and following Highway 112 into downtown Rochelle. After
driving around historic Rochelle byway travelers have a
choice of routes both of which will take travelers through
the City of Pineview. If travelers wish to take shorter tour
of Pulaski and Wilcox County’s Enduring Farmlands then route
Alternative B is available; however, for the most
comprehensive tour and to experience one of the most
picturesque portions of the route(Cannonville Road)
travelers can elect to travel Alternative A, the full route.
Alternative A: Travel east along Highway 280 to the
City of Abbeville. At the stoplight intersection of Highway
280 and Highway 129, make a left onto Highway 129 (the
Wilcox County Courthouse will be on the right). Travel
approximately 4 blocks (< 0.25 mile) and make a left onto
Cannonville Road. Follow Cannonville Road (which crossed
Highway 233) until it dead ends into Highway 112. Take a
right onto Highway 112 for a short ways into Pineview.
Alternative B: Follow Highway 112 north out of Rochelle
to the City of Pineview.
After passing through the
City of Pineview, continue approximate 1 mile along Highway
112 and turns right onto Richland Church Road. The route
continues along Richland Church Road which ends at Highway
129. The byway route then turns left, traveling north along
Highway 129 back to downtown Hawkinsville.
This
peaceful and scenic route will showcase the historic towns
of Hawkinsville, Rochelle, Abbeville, and Pineview, each of
which are significant fibers that comprise the historic
fabric of both the middle Georgia region and the State of
Georgia. The significance of the Pulaski-Wilcox Scenic Byway
is to enable users to gain a better understanding of and
appreciation for Georgia’s rural small town agricultural
heritage and to showcase the efforts these cities have made
to protect and maintain their rural lifestyle while working
to build a viable future.
For more information, please
click here.
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