Anna Ruby Falls - Helen, Georgia

Anna Ruby Falls in Helen, Georgia, is one of the most picturesque and photographed waterfalls in the United States.

First U.S. settlement was in Georgia?

St. Augustine, Florida

An array of cities and communities lay claim to being the "first" settlement or "oldest city" in the continental United States.

St. Augustine and Pensacola, both in Florida, engage in a bit of friendly rivalry over which is the nation's oldest city. The first settlement at Pensacola Bay, the remains of which have yet to be found, was planted by Tristan de Luna in 1559. The colony was a disastrous failure and was soon abandoned, with the modern city of Pensacola dating from a second more successful attempt in 1699. St. Augustine, meanwhile, was founded by Pedro Menendez in 1565 and has been there ever since. At 450 years old, the historic old city has been occupied for about 134 years longer than Pensacola.

Fort Caroline
Reconstructed French fort in Jacksonville, FL

Other communities also claim to be the "first." Paris Island, SC, for example, was first settled by France in 1562, the same nation that built Fort Caroline in Jacksonville, FL, two years later.The first English settlement in the United States was Sir Walter Raleigh's Roanoke in North Carolina, but its population disappeared in a mystery that has never been solved.

 Finally there is Jamestown. Established in 1607 it was the first permanent English settlement in the United States. The Pilgrims of Plymouth Rock were latecomers among early settlers, not arriving in Massachusetts until 1620.

The Georgia Coast

While each of these settlements has its own claim to fame and while St. Augustine is without doubt the oldest continuously occupied city in the United States, none of them was the actual first.

There were American Indians here for thousands of years before the arrival of the first European explorers, of course. Others believe that Vikings visited New England or even made it as far inland as Minnesota and Oklahoma!  There is a popular old legend in Alabama and other states that Prince Madoc of Wales explored and planted settlements long before Juan Ponce de Leon discovered the land that would become the United States in 1513.

Savannah River

With due respect to all of these claims and communities, the actual first recorded European/African settlement in the continental United States was in Georgia.

Named San Miguel de Gualdape, the colony was founded by Spanish explorer and slave trader Lucas Vasquez de Ayllon some four decades before either Pensacola or St. Augustine.

Ayllon had heard glowing reports of a wonderful land somewhere northwest of the Bahamas that was ideal for settlement and populated by American Indians of giant stature that would make desirable slaves for the Spanish. He sent an exploring party of two ships to find this land and report back. The scouts sailed north from Great Abaco Island in the Bahamas and reached land on June 24, 1521, at a place they called the Jordan River.

Coxspur Lighthouse with Tybee Island in the distance

No one knows exactly where the Jordan River was located. Some have speculated that it was either the Santee or Waccamaw Rivers in South Carolina, with the latter appearing most likely. The explorers captured 60 Indian slaves and took them back to the Spanish settlements in the Caribbean where they told fantastic stories of a marvelous new land.

Lucas Vazquez de Ayllon signed a contract with the King of Spain in 1523, agreeing to settle this new land. He second a second exploring party out in 1525 as he assembled the people, livestock and materials needed to found a permanent colony.

San Miguel was somewhere in the marshes
and islands of the Georgia coast.

The major expedition assembled by Ayllon consisted of 6 ships, 600 colonists (including women and children), cows, sheep, pigs and around 100 horses. The colonists included African slaves. Owned by Ayllon and other wealthy participants in the venture, they became the first slaves introduced into North America by Europeans.

The ships set sail in mid-July 1526 and reached land on August 9. The flagship Capitana immediately ran aground and went to the bottom, taking with it vital supplies for the success of the colony.

Ayllon was disappointed with the true appearance of the coast, which differed dramatically from the glowing descriptions provided by his exploring parties. Quickly deciding that the Jordan River was not suitable for permanent settlement, the conquistador sent out additional scouting parties to find a better place. Based on the reports of these explorers, he ordered a move south to the coast of what is now Georgia.

Looking downstream toward Sapelo Sound at Darien, Georgia.

There in September 1526, the Spanish established the city of San Miguel de Gualdape. The exact site has not been found but most scholars believe it was either on Sapelo Sound or Tybee Roads.

The situation quickly became desperate. The loss of so many supplies in the sinking of the Capitana doomed the colony and the settlers were stalked by hunger and disease. The local Guale Indians decided they didn't like the Spanish and soon started to attack them. The African slaves joined in, staging uprisings and setting fire to the homes of colonists. Ayllon died of an unknown illness and the town descended into chaos.

Unable to feed themselves or withstand the cold winter, the colonists gave up. They began to evacuate San Miguel in late October and the last of them sailed away in November 1526. The city of San Miguel de Gualdape, the first Spanish settlement in the continental United States, lasted only two months.

The site that caused such difficulty for Ayllon and his colonists is somewhere in the coastal islands and marshes of Georgia. The entire coast is now a major tourist destination that is noted for its historic sites, beautiful vistas and eco-tourism opportunities. Savannah and the islands of the Georgia Coast are widely regarded as one of the most beautiful places in the world.

To read more about some of the locations mentioned in this post, please follow these links:

• St. Augustine, Florida
• Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park in St. Augustine, Florida
• Pensacola, Florida
• Fort Caroline in Jacksonville, Florida
• Ribault Monument in Jacksonville, Florida
• Savannah, Georgia
• Tybee Island, Georgia
• Golden Isles of Georgia
• Jamestown, Virginia
• Heavener Runestone in Heavener, Oklahoma

4th of July Fireworks are underway!

4th of July Fireworks for 2014 are underway!

4th of July fireworks are underway across the South!

Tonight (Saturday, 6/28/2014) is the first big night of the week-long celebration, with shows scheduled for Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia. More shows continue tomorrow with the big weekend set to get underway on Wednesday, July 3rd.

As always, you can check out locations, times and dates for the best fireworks in each state in the South by visiting www.exploresouthernhistory.com/fireworks.

The Atamaha-ha - Sea Monster of the Georgia Coast!

Home of the Altamaha-ha?

One of my favorite Southern monsters is the Altamaha-ha.

A massive sea monster or river monster that is said to inhabit the waters around the mouth of the Altamaha River in Georgia, the Altamaha-ha has been seen for hundreds of years.

The oldest documented account I could find, in fact, dates back to 1826. A sea captain named named Delano was sailing his schooner, the Eagle, through Doboy Sound on the Georgia Coast that year when he saw a creature that must have been the Altamaha-ha.  He didn't tell anyone about it at the time, but then he saw it again four years later off St. Simons Island, Georgia:

...He repeated the...particulars precisely, describing the animal he saw as being about 70 feet long, and its circumference about that of a sugar hogshead, moving with its head (shaped like an Alligator's) about 8 feet out of the water. - Savannah Georgian, April 22, 1830.

Altamaha River in Georgia, home of a Monster?

This time Captain Delano reported his sighting and his account was backed up by five other eyewitnesses on his ship, all of whom were willing to sign legal affidavits as to what they had seen.

Doboy Sound, where the first sighting took place, separates Sapelo Island from the Georgia mainland and connects to the Altamaha River. St. Simons Island borders the Altamaha to the south.

From the time of Captain Delano's first sighting in 1826 until today, people have claimed to see a monster in the waters around the mouth of the Altahama or up the river in the various channels and abandoned rice fields and canals of its delta. They describe the Altahama-ha as being around 30 feet long, with flippers like a seal and a head like a snake or alligator.

Read the full story of the Altamaha-ha and seem some video taken by an amateur photographer at: www.exploresouthernhistory.com/altamahaha.

And be sure to check on a host of other Southern monster and ghost stories at www.exploresouthernhistory.com/ghosts.

The Battle of the St. Mary's (Last Battle of the War of 1812) - Georgia & Florida

Sailing Vessel on the St. Mary's River

Although numerous engagements have claimed the distinction, current research indicates that the Battle of the St. Mary's on the border of Florida and Georgia was the last land battle of the War of 1812.

Fought on February 24, 1815, the battle involved British Royal Marines and sailors, riflemen from the U.S. Army and revolutionaries from Spanish Florida.  The encounter took place when, even though he already knew of the signing of the Treaty of Ghent that ended the war, Rear Admiral George Cockburn sent a party of barges and boats up the St. Mary's River on one final raid.

Carrying 52 Royal Marines and commanded by Commander Charles George Rodney Phillot of HMS Primrose and Commander David Ewen Bartholomew of HMS Erebus, the seven barges and one gig were ordered to break up the American outpost of Camp Pinckney near present-day Folkston, Georgia.  They almost made it.

St. Mary's River

When the little flotilla was with 3/4 mile of its objective, a force of "Patriot" revolutionaries opened fire from the Florida shore.  Florida was then a colony of Spain and the Patriots were trying to seize control of the future U.S. state from its Spanish leaders.

Captain William Mickler soon joined in the fight with 20 U.S. soldiers from the Georgia shore and both American soldiers and Patriot riflemen poured tremendous volleys of fire on the British vessels, which were caught in the middle of the St. Mary's River. By the time the British made it back to their ships off Cumberland Island, they had been badly bloodied.

The Battle of the St. Mary's took place after the Battle of New Orleans, Second Battle of Fort Bowyer and the Battle of Point Petre (Point Peter), all of which have been recognized as the final battle of the War of 1812 by various historians.  So far as is known, it was the last exchange of fire between American and British forces.

To read about this fascinating engagement, please visit www.exploresouthernhistory.com/stmarysbattle.

"Night at the Museum coming to Andersonville NHS in Georgia

Andersonville National Historic Site

Andersonville National Historic Site in Georgia is preserves the site of the massive Camp Sumter Civil War prison and is home to the National Prisoner of War Museum.

The park is normally open during daylight hours, but on November 16th visitors will have a rare opportunity to explore the national park area after dark.

The national historic site and museum will open its doors to the public beginning at 6 p.m. on November 16th to allow visitors to explore the museum and its exhibits, attend special films and hear a presentation on the 15 American Indian men from the 1st Michigan Sharpshooters who were held prisoner at Camp Sumter.

In addition, lanterns will light the way from the museum to the restored northeast corner of the prison stockade. Living history presenters will be there to interact with visitors and portray life at Andersonville during the winter of 1864-1865.

It should be a fascinating event and will be the last chance to see the prison after dark until 2014.

Please click here to learn more about "Night at the Museum.

Please click here to learn more about Andersonville National Historic Site.

Some new Ghost Stories for Halloween 2013!

The Ghost of Bellamy Bridge
Marianna, Florida

One of the most popular pages at ExploreSouthernHistory.com is our collection of stories about the Ghosts & Monsters of the South.

For Halloween 2013, we have added some new stories that you might enjoy.  From a headless horse in Southwest Georgia to a ghost ship crewed by pirates in the Everglades, I think you will enjoy these journeys into the folklore of the South!

New stories for 2013:

• Ghost Ship of the Everglades - A fascinating story of a pirate crew condemned to sail the winding passages of the Everglades for all eternity!  www.exploresouthernhistory.com/evergladesship
• Ghost of the Headless Horse - The ghost of a large headless horse is said to haunt the banks of the Flint River in Albany, Georgia.  www.exploresouthernhistory.com/albanyhorse.
• Ghost of Deer Island & the Firewater Ghosts - Two new ghost stories from Biloxi, Mississippi, that have been told for over 100 years!  www.exploresouthernhistory.com/biloxighost.

Other favorites:

• The Hole that will not Stay Filled - One of Alabama's best known ghost stories, the legend of Bill Sketoe's ghost lives on in the Wiregrass Region.  www.exploresouthernhistory.com/sketoe.
• White River Monster - Many residents of the White River valley of Arkansas believe that a large water monster inhabits the depths of the river. www.exploresouthernhistory.com/whiteriver1.
• The Ozark Howler - A cat monster is said to roam the Ozark mountains of Arkansas and southern Missouri.  www.exploresouthernhistory.com/ozarkhowler.
• Ghost of Bellamy Bridge - Florida's best known ghost story about what one reporter has called the "world's most haunted bridge." www.exploresouthernhistory.com/bellamybridge.
• Ghost of the St. Simons Island Lighthouse - The historic Georgia lighthouse is said to be haunted by the restless spirit of a former keeper. www.exploresouthernhistory.com/gastsimons2.
• Edgefield Ghost - One of the best recorded hauntings in American history took place in the Edgefield District of South Carolina in the early 1800s. www.exploresouthernhistory.com/edgefieldghost.
• The Bell Witch - Perhaps the best known haunting of all time, the Bell Witch of Tennessee has been the focus of books, movies and more! www.exploresouthernhistory.com/bellwitch1.

Don't forget you can access all of these stories and many others anytime at www.exploresouthernhistory.com/ghosts.

Leaf Watch 2013 - Georgia's Top 15 Parks for Fall Color

Amicalola Falls State Park

With virtually all of America's national parks and national forest recreation areas still closed due to the Federal shutdown, many traditional places for enjoying the fall leaf change in the South are unavailable this year.

In Georgia, fortunately, there are a wide array of state parks and historic sites where visitors are still welcome on their public lands and can enjoy the beautiful colors of the fall.  All Georgia State Parks remain open and are unaffected by the issues in Washington, D.C.

Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites have announced the top 15 places to see this year's fall color:

Top 15 Georgia State Parks for Fall Color

AMICALOLA FALLS STATE PARK – Dawsonville
Just an hour north of Atlanta you’ll find the Southeast’s tallest cascading waterfall.  The falls can be enjoyed from both easy and difficult trails.  A short, flat path leads to a boardwalk offering the most spectacular views.  There’s also an easy-to-reach overlook at the top.  For a tougher challenge, start from the bottom of the falls and hike up the steep staircase.  Amicalola Falls gets very busy on pretty October weekends.  Pumpkin farms and apple orchards are nearby.
http://www.exploresouthernhistory.com/amicalolafalls
http://gastateparks.org/AmicalolaFalls/Trails


BLACK ROCK MOUNTAIN STATE PARK – Clayton
At an altitude of 3,640 feet, Black Rock Mountain is Georgia’s highest state park.  Roadside overlooks and the summit Visitor Center offer sweeping views of the Blue Ridge Mountains.  The 2.2-mile Tennessee Rock Trail is a good choice for a short, moderate hike.  For an all-day challenge, take the 7.2-mile James E. Edmonds Backcountry Trail.  If driving Hwy. 441 north to the park, you can also stop by Tallulah Gorge State Park and quirky Goats on the Roof.
http://gastateparks.org/BlackRockMountain-Hiking
http://www.exploresouthernhistory.com/tallulah


CLOUDLAND CANYON STATE PARK – Near Chattanooga
One of Georgia’s most beautiful parks offers easy-to-reach rim overlooks and challenging hiking trails.  A favorite hike takes you down a long, steep staircase to the bottom of the canyon, where you’ll find two waterfalls.  (Remember, you have to hike back up, but it’s worth it.)  The 5-mile West Rim Loop is moderately difficult and offers great views of the canyon.  New yurts are located off this trail.
http://gastateparks.org/CloudlandCanyon-Hiking


DON CARTER STATE PARK – Lake Lanier
Georgia’s newest state park opened this summer on Lake Lanier, protecting a beautiful hardwood forest and many miles of shoreline.  If you have a boat, this would be a great park to enjoy fall color from the water.  A 1.5-mile paved (and quite hilly) trail is open to bikes and foot traffic.  Another 2-mile trail is open to hikers only.
http://www.gastateparks.org/DonCarter

F.D. Roosevelt State Park

F. D. ROOSEVELT STATE PARK – Pine Mountain
Many people are surprised to find hardwood forests and rolling mountains south of Atlanta.  The 6.7-mile Wolf Den Loop is a favorite section of the longer Pine Mountain Trail.  For a touch of history, drive to Dowdell’s Knob to see a lifesize bronze sculpture of President F.D. Roosevelt and great views of the forested valley.  Ga. Hwy. 190 is a pretty driving route.
http://www.exploresouthernhistory.com/fdrstatepark.html
http://www.gastateparks.org/item/148124


FORT MOUNTAIN STATE PARK – Chatsworth
This park is best known for a mysterious rock wall along the mountain top, plus a variety of trails. For the easiest walk, take the 1.2-mile loop around the park’s pretty, green lake.  For a challenging, all-day hike, choose the 8-mile Gahuti Trail.  Mountain bikers have more than 14 miles to explore, and horseback rides are available as well.  Hwy. 52 has beautiful mountain scenery and overlooks that are worth stopping for.
http://www.gastateparks.org/FortMountain-Hiking
http://www.dot.ga.gov/travelingingeorgia/scenicroutes/Pages/CohuttaCattahoochee.aspx


HARD LABOR CREEK STATE PARK – Rutledge
Kayak tours of this park’s lake let you enjoy autumn color from a different perspective.  Sign up for a ranger-led paddle or rent a canoe to explore on your own.  Mountain bikers can explore 10 miles of trails ranging from beginner to experienced.  This park is easily reached from I-20 exit 105.
http://www.gastateparks.org/HardLaborCreek-Trails


JAMES H. (SLOPPY) FLOYD STATE PARK – Summerville
This park near Rome is a good choice for families with young children.  An easy walk circles a fishing lake, and kids enjoy feeding fish from the boardwalk.  Older children will like the Marble Mine Trail which leads to a small waterfall with a pretty blue-green tint.  Serious hikers can explore the nearby 330-mile Pinhoti Trail.
http://www.gastateparks.org/JamesHFloyd-Trails


MOCCASIN CREEK STATE PARK – Lake Burton
Georgia’s smallest state park sits on the shore of a gorgeous deep-green lake.  Guests can choose from the 2-mile Hemlock Falls Trail or 1-mile Non-Game Trail with a wildlife observation tower.  Hwy. 197 is a particularly pretty road, passing Mark of the Potter and other popular attractions.
http://www.gastateparks.org/MoccasinCreek


RED TOP MOUNTAIN STATE PARK – Lake Allatoona
Just 40 minutes north of Atlanta you’ll find a variety of trails with nice fall color.  The easy, flat 4-mile Iron Hill Loop is open to bikes and foot traffic, offering great views of the lake and forest.  Another good choice for lake views is the 5.5-mile Homestead Trail.  Families with young children will like the paved walking path behind the park office.  Be sure to explore the log cabin and blacksmith shed.
http://gastateparks.org/RedTopMountain-Hiking


SMITHGALL WOODS STATE PARK – Helen
Protecting more than 6,000 acres around Dukes Creek, this is the perfect spot for fly fishing while enjoying fall color.  Day visitors can picnic near the creek, and overnight guests can hike a private trail to Dukes Creek Falls.  A 1.6-mile loop climbs to Laurel Ridge and provides a view of Mt. Yonah once most leaves are off the trees.  This park is near many wineries and Helen’s Oktoberfest.
http://www.gastateparks.org/SmithgallWoods-Hiking


SWEETWATER CREEK STATE PARK – Lithia Springs
Just west of Atlanta you’ll find 9 miles of hiking trails, a beautiful creek and small lake.  For an easy walk, take the popular 1-mile Red Trail which follows the creek to the ruins of an old mill.  For more of a workout, continue past the mill to the Blue Trail, where you’ll climb steep bluffs for outstanding creek views.  Sign up for a guided hike to learn more about this park’s Civil War history.
http://www.gastateparks.org/SweetwaterCreek-Hiking

Tallulah Gorge State Park

TALLULAH GORGE STATE PARK – Near Clayton
Tallulah is one of the most spectacular canyons in the Southeast, and you can choose from easy or difficult trails.  Hike along the rim to several overlooks with waterfall views, or get a permit from the park office to trek all the way to the bottom.  During November, you can watch expert kayakers as they enjoy the bi-annual “whitewater releases.”  Be sure to see the park’s film because it includes heart-racing footage of kayakers and news clips from Wallenda’s famous tightrope walk across the gorge.
http://www.exploresouthernhistory.com/tallulah
http://www.gastateparks.org/TallulahGorge-Hiking


UNICOI STATE PARK – Helen
Avoid Oktoberfest crowds in Helen by hiking a pretty 3-mile trail which leads from the park into town.  You can enjoy lunch and window shopping before hiking back to the trailhead.  Mountain bikers can zip past fall color on the park’s challenging 7.5-mile bike loop.  If you’re up for a steep hike, take the 4.8-mile Smith Creek Trail up to Anna Ruby Falls.  (To avoid having to hike back, leave a second car at the falls.)
http://gastateparks.org/Unicoi-Trails


VOGEL STATE PARK – Blairsville
The 4-mile Bear Hair Gap Trail makes a nice day trip for experienced hikers, offering great mountain color and a birds-eye view of the park’s lake.  For an easier walk, follow the Lake Loop to a small waterfall.  The twisting roads around Vogel, particularly Wolf Pen Gap Road, offer some of north Georgia’s prettiest fall scenery.
http://www.gastateparks.org/Vogel-Hiking

To learn more about the leaf change in Georgia, be sure to visit http://www.georgiastateparks.org/Leafwatch.

To check conditions in Alabama and Arkansas, please visit http://southernhistory.blogspot.com/2013/10/leaf-watch-2013-locations-for-alabama.html

Fireworks across the South Tonight (7/3/2013)

4th of July Fireworks explode over the South
Courtesy Pine Bluff Festival

Fireworks are set to launch at locations all across the South tonight!  Weather conditions could cause issues in some areas, so be sure to check local conditions before heading out!

Here are some highlights of what is happening and where its happening tonight!


Alabama

Major fireworks displays are set for tonight - weather permitting - in Chelsea, Fort Rucker, Jacksonville and Montgomery! A major highlight is the Fort Rucker Freedom Fest. The post plans to go forward with its fireworks, even though many military bases in the South have cancelled their annual shows.

Please click here to see the full list of fireworks in Alabama for July 3rd and 4th with times and locations.


Arkansas

The skies of the Natural State will light up tonight with fireworks in Bella Vista, Calico Rock, De Queen, Hot Springs, Paris and Rogers. The Hot Springs event features a concert by Lee Greenwood of "I'm proud to be an American" fame.

Please click here for the full list of fireworks in Arkansas for July 3rd and 4th.


Florida

Florida's 4th of July fireworks for this year begin with the Old Apalachicola Independence Day in Apalachicola and fireworks in Aventura.  The Apalachicola event - weather permitting - will feature a parade, ice cream social, live music and more.

Please click here for Florida's fireworks for this July 3rd and 4th.


Georgia

Georgia's 4th of July celebrations launch into high gear tonight with events in Atlanta, Cumming, Dawsonville, Forsyth, McCaysville/Copperhill, Kennesaw, Tifton, Villa Rica and Woodbury. The Tifton event includes a variety of activites at the Georgia Museum of Agriculture and Historic Village!

Please click here for a full list of Georgia fireworks for July 3rd and 4th.


Kentucky

Fireworks launch tonight from locations all over Kentucky.  Events are set for Bowling Green, Dawson Springs, Gilbertsville, Louisville, Madisonville, Somerset and Winchester. Among the highlights are the first night of Louisville's two night Waterfront Independence Festival, the Kentucky Lake Big Bang in Gilbertsville and the Thunderfest Independence Day Celebration at the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green.

Please click here for a full list of Georgia fireworks for July 3rd and July 4th!


Louisiana

Four major fireworks shows are set for Louisiana tonight. Events are set in Jennings, Metarie, Ponchatoula and Youngsville. Highlights include the Uncle Sam Jam at Lafreniere Park in Metarie and Youngsville's Independence Day Celebration which will include both fireworks and hot air balloon rides!

See the full list of Louisiana fireworks for July 3rd and 4th by clicking here!


Mississippi

Fireworks take place in Pearl, Mississippi, tonight after the 7 p.m. baseball game between the Mississippi Braves and the Mobile Bay Bears.

Click here for the full list of Mississippi fireworks set for July 3rd and July 4th.


North Carolina

The Independence Day celebration gets underway in North Carolina with nearly one dozen events tonight (July 3rd).  Fireworks displays are set for Asheville, Carolina Beach, Charlotte, Cherryville, Harrisburg, Mooresville, Statesville and Wake Forest (the city, not the school).

Click here for 2013's list of North Carolina Fireworks set for July 3rd and 4th.


Oklahoma

Big fireworks events are set for Oklahoma tonight, including Red White & Boom in Oklahoma City.  Events are also set for Claremore, Talihina and Yukon, with more to come tomorrow!

Check out this year's list of Oklahoma Fireworks for July 3rd and 4th.


South Carolina

Fireworks will launch in Cheraw and Columbia tonight, with South Carolina's main list of 4th of July celebrations planned for tomorrow.

Click here for South Carolina's fireworks for July 3rd and July 4th.


Tennessee

There is a long list of fireworks set for Tennessee tonight, with more to follow tomorrow night!  Fireworks will launch tonight in Bartlett, Chattanooga, Clarksville, Collierville, Collegedale, Copperhill/McCaysville, Dandridge, Hendersonville, Millington and Waynesboro.

Please click here to see Tennessee's fireworks list for July 3rd and July 4th.


Texas

The Lone Star State kicks its 4th of July celebration into high gear tonight with music, events, airshows, fireworks and more!  The Atlanta Rhythm Section will perform live in Arlington, followed by fireworks, with events also taking place in Addison, Coppell, Farmers Branch, Fort Worth, Gilmer, Irving, Sachse and Sherman.

Click here to see the full list of Texas fireworks for July 3rd and July 4th.


Virginia

Fireworks start launching in Virginia shortly after dark tonight, with events scheduled for Chesapeake, Doswell, McGaheysville, Richmond, Ridgeway and South Hill.  More will follow tomorrow!

Click here to read the full list of Virginia fireworks for July 3 & 4, 2013!


Don't forget you can check the full list of fireworks from all Southern states online at www.exploresouthernhistory.com/fireworks.

4th of July Fireworks continue Tonight!

Fireworks over Arkansas
Courtesy Pine Bluff Festival Association

4th of July Fireworks continue around the South tonight, with a wide range of events scheduled for the next seven days.

My annual list of 4th of July Fireworks in the South is now online at www.exploresouthernhistory.com/fireworks, so check it out for a state by state guide to the best displays!

Here are some highlights for you from this weekend's planned events:

Alabama (June 29 & 30, 2013)

Boaz, Cedar Bluff, Columbiana, Thomasville and Tuscumbia will all host events on Saturday and Wilsonville's annual God & Country Celebration is set for Sunday.

To learn more about these and other 4th of July Fireworks Events in Alabama for 2013, please visit www.exploresouthernhistory.com/alabamafireworks.

Arkansas (June 29 & 30, 2013)

Texarkana's big Sparks in the Park will take place on Saturday night at Bobby Ferguson Park. Gates open at 4 p.m.for food, activities, contests and more. The fireworks will launch at 9:30 p.m.

Springdale will launch its Fireworks at the Cross at the CrossChurch Pinnacle Hills Campus on Sunday night.  Events begin at 5 p.m. with live music, outdoor baptisms and more. The fireworks go up at dark.

To learn more about this year's 4th of July Fireworks in Arkansas, please visit www.exploresouthernhistory.com/arkansasfireworks.

Florida

Florida's events don't get started until July 3rd, but you can check out the schedule of planned fireworks for the Sunshine State at www.exploresouthernhistory.com/floridafireworks.

Georgia  (July 1, 2013)

Georgia's fireworks for this year get underway on Monday, July 1st, as Auburn (GA) hosts its annual fireworks in the downtown area. The skies light up at dark.

To learn more about the full list of this year's 4th of July fireworks in Georgia, please visit www.exploresouthernhistory.com/georgiafireworks.

Kentucky (June 29, 2013)

Kentucky begins to light up its skies on Saturday night with the Briggs & Stratton Fireworks Extravaganza in Murray. Fireworks launch at 9:30 p.m. on the 29th in the area around Kroger, Wal-Mart and Lowes.

The full list of fireworks in Kentucky is available at www.exploresouthernhistory.com/kentuckyfireworks.

Louisiana (June 29, 2013)

Lake Arthur leads the way this year in Louisiana with its Lake Arthur Freedom Fest on Saturday (June 29th). The gates of Lake Arthur Park open at 8 a.m. for a day of fun.  The Blessing of the Fleet is set for 3 p.m., followed by music from Jamie Bergeron & the Kickin' Cajuns, Travis Matte & the Kingpins and the Bon Journeys.  The fireworks launch at 8:30 p.m.  Admission is $5 with kids 5 and under admitted free.

See the full list of this year's Louisiana fireworks at www.exploresouthernhistory.com/louisianafireworks.

Mississippi (June 30, 2013)

Mississippi's 4th of July Fireworks for 2013 get started on Sunday night in Hattiesburg and Brandon (Ross Barnett Reservoir).

Temple Baptist Church in Hattiesburg hosts Celebrate America on Sunday night (June 30th). The event begins with a community-wide picnic and fun at 6:30 p.m., followed by the fireworks at 9:00 p.m.

The Annual Independence Day Celebration at Ross Barnett Reservoir also takes place on Sunday. Events begin at 5 p.m. at Lakeshore Park and Old Trace Park in Brandon.  There will be live music at 6 p.m., a boat parade at 8 p.m. and fireworks at 9 .m.

Check out Mississippis's complete list of 4th of July Fireworks at www.exploresouthernhistory.com/mississippifireworks.

North Carolina 

Events don't get started in North Carolina until July 3rd, but you can check out the full list of events in the Tarheel State here:  www.exploresouthernhistory.com/ncfireworks.

Oklahoma (June 29, 2013)

The skies over Oklahoma City come alive on Saturday night (June 29th) with the annual Stars & Stripes River Festival. Taking place in the Boathouse District, the event features river sports, games, activities and more throughout the day followed by fireworks at dark.

Check out the complete list of Oklahoma's fireworks for this year at www.exploresouthernhistory.com/okfireworks.

South Carolina (June 29, 2013)

The big 4th of July Celebration and Boat Parade takes place at South Carolina's Lake Murray on Saturday (June 29th). A popular event in the Midlands, the boat parade takes place at 12 noon followed by the fireworks at dark.

See South Carolina's complete list of 4th of July Fireworks at www.exploresouthernhistory.com/scfireworks

Tennessee (June 29, 2013)

Tennessee's 4th of July Fireworks will begin with three events on Saturday night (June 29th).

Alcoa hosts its FreedomFest on Saturday with fireworks at dark. Andersonville's Sequoyah Marina on Norris Lake is home to Fire on the Water which features food, fun and fireworks. Byrdstown's Independence Day Celebration takes place in the parking lot across from Town Hall on Saturday night and begins with a benefit for Our Troops at 5 p.m., followed by music and games.  The fireworks begin at 9 p.m.

Check out the full list of 4th of July Fireworks in Tennessee this year at www.exploresouthernhistory.com/tnfireworks.

Texas (June 29 & 30, 2013)

Texas begins its 4th of July Fireworks on Saturday and Sunday nights, June 29th and 30th.

Allen's annual Market Street Allen USA Celebration is set for Saturday at Celebration Park. Former Styx  lead singer Dennis DeYoung is among the performers set to entertain the crowds. Music, fun, activities, food and more begins at 4 p.m., followed by the fireworks at dark.

Parker's Celebrate Freedom event takes place at Southfork Ranch on Saturday. The gates open at 8 a.m. for activities, food, fun and more. Live music begins at 10 a.m. and the fireworks will launch at Dark.

Rockwall's Freedom Fest 2013 will take place on Sunday at The Harbor. Food, fun, entertainment and activities kick off at 4 p.m. and will be followed by the fireworks at dark.

Check out the full list of Texas 4th of July Fireworks for this year at www.exploresouthernhistory.com/texasfireworks.

Virginia 

Things don't get going in Virginia until July 3rd, but you can check out the full list of Virginia 4th of July Fireworks for 2013 at www.exploresouthernhistory.com/virginiafireworks.

Remember, you can access the full list for all states anytime at www.exploresouthernhistory.com/fireworks.

Sunbury - A Georgia Ghost Town!

An original street runs along Church Square in Sunbury

I have a fascination with ghost towns because I love to walk their former streets and wonder what they looked like and what life was like in them.

Perhaps my favorite of all Southern ghost towns is Sunbury, once a booming port town that rivaled Savannah in commerce. Today, all that remains are a few old roads, the earthworks at Fort Morris State Historic Site and a cemetery.

Founded in 1758 as part of the Congregationalist movement from Dorchester, South Carolina, to what is now Liberty County, Georgia, Sunbury grew dramatically in the years before the American Revolution. By 1773, for example, it had over 1,000 residents. The town was visited that year by the famed naturalist William Bartram:

Markers tell the story of the "Dead Town"

There are about one hundred houses in the town neatly built of wood frame having pleasant Piasas [i.e. piazzas] around them. The inhabitants are genteel and wealthy, either Merchants or Planters from the Country who resort here in the Summer and Autumn, to partake of the Salubrious Sea Breeze, Bathing & sporting on the Sea Islands.

The people of Sunbury were fierce supporters of the cause of American Independence and they paid dearly for it. The British occupied their town in both 1778 and 1779, even using it as a place to hold American prisoners of war. Residents fled the British occupation and by the end of the Revolution, Sunbury was but a shell of its former self.

The town continued its decline after the war until eventually it was gone.  Union troops even burned the Baptist church during Sherman's March to the Sea.  Not a building still stands and even the vast majority of the graves in the cemetery are no longer marked. Sunbury is a true ghost town of the Georgia coast.

To learn more, visit www.exploresouthernhistory.com/sunbury1.

To learn more about Sunbury Cemetery, visit www.exploresouthernhistory.com/sunbury2

To learn more about Fort Morris, visit www.exploresouthernhistory.com/fortmorris.

Fort Morris State Historic Site - Midway, Georgia

Fortifications at Fort Morris State Historic Site

One of the classic moments in American history took place at a rough fort in Liberty County, Georgia, in 1778.  The place was Fort Morris and the moment developed when a British force surrounded the outpost and demanded its surrender:

Sir: - You cannot be ignorant that four armies are in motion to reduce this Province. One is already under the guns of your fort, and may be joined when I think proper by Col. Prevost, who is now at the Midway Meeting-House. The resistance you can or intend to make will only bring destruction upon this country. On the contrary, if you will deliver to me the fort which you command, lay down your arms, and remain neuter until the fate of America is determined, you shall, together with all the inhabitants of this parish, remain in peaceable possession of your property. Your answer, which I expect in an hour's time, will determine the fate of this country, whether it be laid in ashes, or remain as above proposed. - Col. L.V. Fuser, British Commander

Earthworks at Fort Morris State Historic Site

The British had invaded Georgia from East Florida, which along with West Florida had not joined in the revolt and had remained loyal to King George III. One British force, commanded by Lt. Col. J.;M. Prevost, had defeated outnumbered Patriot forces at the Battle of Midway Church and had already burned the Midway Congregational Church, which Col. Fuser referred to in his demand as Midway Meeting-House.

Fuser's column, which was to surround and pin down the garrison of Fort Morris at the port town of Sunbury, had been slow in arriving and Col. Fuser did not know on the date he issued his demand that Col. Prevost had already begun a slow withdrawal back to Florida.

Neither did Col. John McIntosh, the American commander of Fort Morris, not that he would have cared:

American Cannon at Fort Morris State Historic Site

Sir: - We acknowledge we are not ignorant that your army is in motion to endeavor to reduce this State. We believe it entirely chimerial that Col. Prevost is at the Meeting-House; but should it be so, we are in no degree apprehensive of danger from a juncture of his army with yours. We have no property which we value a rush, compared with the object for which we content, and would rather perish in a vigorous defense than accept of your proposals. We, sir, are fighting the battles of America, and therefore disdain to remain neutral till its fate is determined. As to surrendering the fort, receive this laconic reply: COME AND TAKE IT. - Col. John McIntosh, American Commander.

"Come and take it!" would become a battle cry for generations of Americans and would symbolize defiance against attacking forces for years to come. In the Texas Revolution, for example, it was adopted in 1835 by the men of Gonzales who organized to defend a cannon from an attempt by the Mexican government to take it from them. They raised a flag emblazoned with the words, "Come and take it!" and when the Mexican army tried to do that, defeated them in the first fighting of the Texas Revolution.

Fort Morris also stood defiant against the British in 1778. Viewing the walls of the fort, its 24 pieces of artillery and having read Col. McIntosh's bold words, Col. Fuser decided not to make the attempt. His men withdrew from Sunbury and retreated to their ships, American cannon balls falling in their dust.

Fort Morris State Historic Site is a fascinating place on the Georgia Coast just south of Savannah. To learn more, please visit www.exploresouthernhistory.com/fortmorris.

Take a video tour of the site here:

Midway Congregational Church - Midway, Georgia

Midway Congregational Church in Georgia

One of the most beautiful landmarks of the Georgia Coast, Midway Congregational Church was founded before the American Revolution and played an important role in that war. The current structure dates from 1792.

It was at Midway Church, often called Midway Meeting House, in 1775 that the residents of what is now Liberty County gathered to elect someone to represent them at the Second Continental Congress. The Congregationalists settled in Midway, Sunbury and the surrounding area had originally come from Dorchester, Massachusetts, and were quick to support their their former neighbors there in the wake of the Battles of Lexington and Concord.

The present structure was completed in 1792.

The community was targeted by the British in 1778 and Colonel James Screven, now buried in the Midway Cemetery, was mortally wounded at the Battle of Midway Church. The original church structure was burned by the British following that battle, but was rebuilt in 1792.

The church was occupied by troops again some nine decades later during the final days of Sherman's March to the Sea. The cavalry of Union Gen. Judson Kilpatrick corralled their horses in the cemetery and Kilpatrick made Midway Church his headquarters as Sherman was closing in on Savannah and Fort McAllister.

Please visit our new Midway Congregational Church page to learn more about this historic landmark: http://www.exploresouthernhistory.com/midway.

Elijah Clark State Park - Lincolnton, Georgia

Elijah Clark State Park in Lincolnton, Georgia

Georgia's Elijah Clark State Park pays tribute to one of the most remarkable men in American history: General Elijah Clarke.
The famed frontiersman and soldier had just moved to the back country of Georgia when the American Revolution erupted in 1775. Over the years that followed he proved himself to be an extremely competent commander and took part in such battles as Kettle Creek, Augusta, Musgrove's Mill, Blackstock's and Fishdam Ford. He was wounded twice while fighting for the independence of the United States.

After the war, Clarke went on to become a successful politician before leading an effort to establish yet another independent country - the Trans-Oconee Republic - in the back country of Georgia. Unhappy with the progress of both the fledgling United States and his own State of Georgia, he decided just to build a country of his own!

Learn more about this remarkable man and the park that pays tribute to his legacy by visiting our new page at www.exploresouthernhistory.com/elijahclarke.

Bigfoot Attack in the Okefenokee in 1829?

Okefenokee Swamp in Georgia

It is a little known fact that one of the earliest written accounts of the creature we now call Bigfoot or Sasquatch actually originated from Georgia's Okefenokee Swamp, not from the Pacific Northwest.

The 1829 newspaper report tells of how giant footprints were found in the swamp, where Indian legend held a race of giants lived. After explorers found the footprints, a party of hunters worked its way into the Okefenokee hoping to find the man or animal responsible for the tracks. They got more than they bargained for, when the 13-foot tall creature charged their camp. A fierce battle ensued in which both men and the monster were killed.

Thick Growth in the Okefenokee Swamp

Is the story true?

That's an interesting question and one that is impossible to answer. The tale was widely reported in U.S. newspapers in February of 1829 and the correspondent emphasized that people living on the margins of the swamp in Ware County, Georgia, swore to its truth.

I've just added a new page on the 1829 incident to the main site at www.exploresouthernhistory.com. It includes numerous quotes from the original report on the Okefenokee Bigfoot Attack as well as detail on the legends of mysterious creatures in the swamp.

Please click here to access the story page: www.exploresouthernhistory.com/okefenokeebigfoot.

Paddlewheel Steamboat Montgomery - Pickensville, Alabama

U.S. Snagboat Montgomery

Many residents living along the Apalachicola, Chattahoochee and Flint Rivers in Florida, Alabama and Georgia can still remember the days when the paddlewheel riverboat Montgomery used to churn its way up and down the waterway. The historic steamboat is now on permanent display in Pickensville, Alabama.

The historic snagboat was built in Charleston for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1926. For nearly sixty years it worked to keep the channels of a number of Southern rivers free from snags and debris. By the time the Montgomery was retired in 1982, it was one of the last original paddlewheel steamboats of its kind in the United States.

Pilot House of the Montgomery

In 1984, after its days of use as a snagboat were over, the Montgomery doubled as a Mississippi riverboat in the made for tv movie Louisiana. Starring Margot Kidder, that film ended with a steamboat race and a boiler "explosion" aboard the Montgomery.

Once its starring role was over, the steamboat was restored by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and placed on permanent display at the Tom Bevill Visitor Center in Pickensville, Alabama. It has since undergone a second restoration and been placed on display in a dry slip adjacent to the visitor center.

To learn more about the historic U.S. Snagboat Montgomery, please visit http://www.exploresouthernhisotry.com/montgomeryboat.

The Battle of Fowltown - Decatur County, Georgia

The exact site of Fowltown has never been identified.
Military reports placed it 3-4 miles south of modern Bainbridge.

Most people today associate the Seminole Wars of the 19th century with Florida, but the series of three conflicts actually began near what is now Bainbridge, Georgia.
On November 21 and 23, 1817, U.S. troops attacked the Lower Creek Indian village of Fowltown. Headed by Neamathla, a chief who would figure prominently in early Florida history, the town was located three or four miles south of the site where Bainbridge would later be established.

Neamathla

Neamathla was not a signer of the Treaty of Fort Jackson, which had ended the Creek War of 1813-1814. That treaty ceded most of what is now Southwest Georgia to the United States. Neamathla, however, lived on the land and refused to give it up. When Major David E. Twiggs, who commanded Fort Scott on the lower Flint River, told the chief that he and his people must move, Neamathla replied that the land was his and that he was "directed by the Powers above to defend it."

Gen. Edmund P. Gaines
(Late in Life)

To overcome the chief's determined resistance, Maj. Gen. Edmund P. Gaines ordered Major Twiggs and 250 men from Fort Scott to march on Fowltown and bring Neamathla back to the fort. The troops marched on November 20, 1817, and arrived outside the village before daylight the next morning.

Twiggs attempted to surround Fowltown in the darkness, but the movement of his troops was discovered. A party of warriors opened fire on the American lines as others helped get the women and children away to safety in the surrounding swamp. The U.S. troops responded with a single volley of fire, killing five of Neamathla's followers, one of them a woman. No U.S. casualties were suffered.

This first skirmish did not rise to the level of battle and the soldiers failed in their mission to capture Neamathla. Unwilling to let the matter end there, Gen. Gaines send a second force back to Fowltown two days later.

Lt. Col. Matthew Arbuckle

On the morning of November 23, 1817, a command of 300 soldiers from the 4th and 7th Infantry Regiments arrived at Fowltown under the command of Lt. Col. Matthew Arbuckle. The soldiers found the village abandoned and began to load corn from the Indian storehouses into a wagon they had brought along.

As this operation was underway, however, Neamathla and around 60 of his warriors suddenly emerged from the swamp that nearly surrounded the town and opened fire. The U.S. troops responded and this time a pitched encounter broke out.

Remembered today as the Battle of Fowltown, the firefight was the first battle of the Seminole Wars. You can learn more about it and what happened next by visiting www.exploresouthernhistory.com/fowltown.

Stephen C. Foster State Park - Fargo, Georgia

Boat Tours lead into the Okefenokee Swamp

Located 18 miles from Fargo in the edge of the famed Okefenokee Swamp, Stephen C. Foster State Park is one of my favorite Georgia State Parks.

Popular with lovers of the massive 438,000 acre swamp and the night time skies of the South alike, the park is named for 19th century American composer Stephen C. Foster, who penned the much loved Florida State Song, "Suwannee River" ("Old Folks at Home"). It covers 80 acres and is located on a natural island in the Okefenokee.

While most visitors come for its guided boat tours; boat, canoe & kayak rentals, and the access it provides to the water trails that wind through the swamp, the park is actually a great place to learn about the history and ecosystems of the Okefenokee Swamp.

Interpretive Center at Stephen C. Foster State Park

An often overlooked feature (on the day I visited I had the place to myself) is the park's interpretive center. Basically a museum of the natural and cultural life of the Okefenokee. The displays include animals, snakes, insects and birds (some of them live, others mounted) along with both audio and written descriptions of them and their importance to the ecosystems of the swamp. Other displays explain how the swamp was formed and help visitors understand its natural importance.

The interpretive center also features artifacts, maps, historic photographs and other displays that detail the cultural history of the swamp, from prehistoric times to the modern era. There are exhibits on the Native Americans who once lived in the Okefenokee, on the Second Seminole War and on the early settlers and loggers who once made lives for themselves in the "Land of the Trembling Earth." Among the artifacts on display are weapons, tools and an original Okefenokee moonshine still.



Boat Rentals and Guided Tours leave the Park Marina

 The park also offers the Trembling Earth nature trail, a primarily boardwalk trail that winds through the edge of the Okefenokee. Interpretive panels point out a variety of animals, trees and plants while also explaining the history of the swamp.

Because the park is located so far from the lights of towns and cities (18 miles from the nearest town, Fargo), it is known for its spectacular night skies. For stargazers, it is a great place to come and watch meteor showers and just see the stars. The park has a variety of activities that help visitors learn about the skies at night.

To learn more about Stephen C. Foster State Park, please visit www.exploresouthernhistory.com/fostersp.

To learn more about the Okefenokee Swamp, please visit www.exploresouthernhistory.com/okefenokee.

Miss Lillian Carter was a Southern mother we all loved

Miss Lillian Carter (left) as her son is nominated

Democrat, Republican or Independent, we all found something to love in the plain spoken, socially active mother from Plains, Georgia, "Miss Lillian" Carter.

Today is Mother's Day and I found myself thinking about some of the unique Southern women of our time. One of my favorites, I must admit, has always been Lillian Carter. She lived a life that was as big as the times in which she lived.

Born in Richland, Georgia, in 1898 as Lillian Gordy, Mrs. Carter was known to people around the world as "Miss Lillian." She was raised in a home where women were taught to take a strong role in changing the world around them. These were lessons she carried with her through life.

Lillian and Earl Carter home near Plains

After marrying James Earl Carter, Sr., usually known as Earl Carter, in 1923, she and her new husband made their home in Plains, Georgia. Carter ran a farm and farm supply business there and Miss Lillian worked as a registered nurse in the local hospital. She became a strong opponent of segregation and her son, future President Jimmy Carter, eventually would challenge famed segregationist Lester Mattox in one of the fiercest gubernatorial elections in Georgia history.

Like many of the other mothers of Plains, Miss Lillian guided her family through the dark days of the Great Depression instilling her children a belief that all things were possible. She also often provided nursing care for patients who could not afford to go to the doctor, volunteering countless hours working among her neighbors, both black and white.

In 1946 she saw son Jimmy graduate from the U.S. Naval Academy and accept an officer's commission in Admiral Hyman Rickover's famed American nuclear submarine fleet.

Plains, Georgia

By the time her husband died from cancer in 1953, she had lived a full life. Sadly, the Earl died from pancreatic cancer, a disease that would also kill Jimmy Carter's two sisters and younger brother.

After Earl's death, when Jimmy and Rosalynn came home to run the family business, Miss Lillian launched a second career of service that would continue through the rest of her life. From 1955 to 1962 she served as a house mother to a fraternity at Auburn University and then in 1966, when she was already in her late 60s, she entered the Peace Corps and served as a volunteer in India for two years.

She ran a campaign office for Lyndon Johnson and crisscrossed the country making more than 600 speeches for Jimmy when he was running for President. She became a popular fixture on television news during Carter's administration, known for her outspokenness and feisty Southern charm.

Lillian Carter was named recipient of the Synagogue Council of America's Covenant of Peace Award in 1977 and became honorary chair of the Peace Corps National Advisory Council three years later. She died in 1983, even as her son was following her example and beginning a post-presidential career modeled in many ways after her own years of service. Jimmy Carter's involvement in Habitat for Humanity alone inspired millions of people around the world to support the efforts of that organization leading to a massive private initiative to build homes for those in need.

You can learn more about Miss Lillian in Plains, Georgia, today, where her legacy is a much loved part of the community's history. Her life is among those interpreted there.

To learn more about Plains and the Carters, please visit: http://www.exploresouthernhistory.com/jimmycarter and www.exploresouthernhistory.com/plains.