In a big effort to eliminate my concern for safety regarding the old chop
saw, I ordered a DeWalt from Santa.and got it.
Lots of power.
Big 12" blade.
All kinds of safety equipment..
PERFECT!
I put the manual aside and put her to work.
Vertical cut.smooth and clean, no saw noise!
45 degree cut..excellent, point nice and sharp!
Compound miter cut...SSHSHHHSHSHHIIINNNNNNGGGGG!
I now know that the DeWalt DW716 will cut cast aluminum just as clean as a 2
x 4. It appears that the high fence must be moved back prior to cutting.
Luckily! Very luckily! I had my safety glasses on. Otherwise, I'd be
minus an eye from the shrapnel the saw flung at me.
Lesson: READ THE MANUAL FIRST
Be safe!
Scott Perry
Old One Eye
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Structures
This morning I’ll start a layer for structure identification and plug in the names so far.
Adding Structures to The Swamp
Structures
This morning I’ll start a layer for structure identification and plug in the names so far. I'm using 3rd Plan It to do the layout drawing.
This morning I’ll start a layer for structure identification and plug in the names so far. I'm using 3rd Plan It to do the layout drawing.
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Layout Design
After visiting Howard Garner’s layout I decided to get down to brass tacks and start working on my own design. The room is about finished, we only need to put down the carpet squares.
I started by looking at the Billy’s Island map. It will be the center of operations for the swamp. I’ve moved it around the room several times, and the more I think about it the more I want a long mainline run. Therefore, I’m going to move it back to the right hand wall.
I’ve got the room drawing finished and checked. I did forget to put in the floor opening and the two drain pipes, so I’ll do those tonight. With that done, we’ll move on to Billy’s Island.
The track cuts straight across the island. Some of the neat features are a wye, a lack of an engine house, the presence of a machine shop and supply house, and a decidedly Jim Crow layout of structures.
Billy’s Island is named after an Indian Chief Billy Bowlegs.
In capturing the Okefenokee at this time, around 1920, I want to capture the beauty of the swamp, and it ugliness. Things like the hard life the loggers lived, racism, the conflict with those that lived in the swamp, the wholesale killing of animals and the raping of the land, and the size of the majestic cypress trees.
By the end of the session, this is what I had. This is on the left hand side of the train room as you walk in. This puts Billy’s Island ½ way between the mill and the end of the line, which is about where it needs to be. Full sized locos handle the traffic between Hebardville and Billy’s Island, then Porter’s handle the rest of the traffic.
I got the wye in. Black and white lumberjack quarters. The shop will be a featured model with detailed interior. The church and the office, and maybe the commissary may be detailed. The trackage, while condensed, matches the same profile as the island. Liberties were taken with the placement of buildings as the O scale structures, even ones this small, are large and take up space. This island, while very large by model train standards, will have deep scenery to give it a rich characteristic.
The scenicked island has dense pine trees and some palms and cypress. The soil is sandy and palmetto plants grow everywhere. So when you walk in the room, the back side of the swamp is the first thing you see, then your focal point spins around and catches the detailed shop and wye complex. The sidings are about six feet long, which is more than enough for the loco and several log bunks. MOW equipment can be stored on the coal bin track, and the water/coal track will remain open, or holding a loco ready for work. All of the other buildings will be omitted, unless I see a need to drop in a very small shack for saw filing or what not.
Things to be included at Billy’s Island
• Wye for turning motive power
• Passing siding
• Indian mounds
• Machine shop
• Supply house
• Black and white quarters
• Commissary
• Cemetary and tombstone
• Well for watering the locomotives on siding
• Coal bin on siding
• Office
• Doctor’s office
• Bakery
• Theatre
• Garden
I started by looking at the Billy’s Island map. It will be the center of operations for the swamp. I’ve moved it around the room several times, and the more I think about it the more I want a long mainline run. Therefore, I’m going to move it back to the right hand wall.
I’ve got the room drawing finished and checked. I did forget to put in the floor opening and the two drain pipes, so I’ll do those tonight. With that done, we’ll move on to Billy’s Island.
The track cuts straight across the island. Some of the neat features are a wye, a lack of an engine house, the presence of a machine shop and supply house, and a decidedly Jim Crow layout of structures.
Billy’s Island is named after an Indian Chief Billy Bowlegs.
In capturing the Okefenokee at this time, around 1920, I want to capture the beauty of the swamp, and it ugliness. Things like the hard life the loggers lived, racism, the conflict with those that lived in the swamp, the wholesale killing of animals and the raping of the land, and the size of the majestic cypress trees.
By the end of the session, this is what I had. This is on the left hand side of the train room as you walk in. This puts Billy’s Island ½ way between the mill and the end of the line, which is about where it needs to be. Full sized locos handle the traffic between Hebardville and Billy’s Island, then Porter’s handle the rest of the traffic.
I got the wye in. Black and white lumberjack quarters. The shop will be a featured model with detailed interior. The church and the office, and maybe the commissary may be detailed. The trackage, while condensed, matches the same profile as the island. Liberties were taken with the placement of buildings as the O scale structures, even ones this small, are large and take up space. This island, while very large by model train standards, will have deep scenery to give it a rich characteristic.
The scenicked island has dense pine trees and some palms and cypress. The soil is sandy and palmetto plants grow everywhere. So when you walk in the room, the back side of the swamp is the first thing you see, then your focal point spins around and catches the detailed shop and wye complex. The sidings are about six feet long, which is more than enough for the loco and several log bunks. MOW equipment can be stored on the coal bin track, and the water/coal track will remain open, or holding a loco ready for work. All of the other buildings will be omitted, unless I see a need to drop in a very small shack for saw filing or what not.
Things to be included at Billy’s Island
• Wye for turning motive power
• Passing siding
• Indian mounds
• Machine shop
• Supply house
• Black and white quarters
• Commissary
• Cemetary and tombstone
• Well for watering the locomotives on siding
• Coal bin on siding
• Office
• Doctor’s office
• Bakery
• Theatre
• Garden
Designing the Layout
12/06/08 – Design
After visiting Howard Garner’s layout I decided to get down to brass tacks and start working on my own design. The room is about finished, we only need to put down the carpet squares.
I started by looking at the Billy’s Island map. It will be the center of operations for the swamp. I’ve moved it around the room several times, and the more I think about it the more I want a long mainline run. Therefore, I’m going to move it back to the right hand wall.
I’ve got the room drawing finished and checked. I did forget to put in the floor opening and the two drain pipes, so I’ll do those tonight. With that done, we’ll move on to Billy’s Island.
The track cuts straight across the island. Some of the neat features are a wye, a lack of an engine house, the presence of a machine shop and supply house, and a decidedly Jim Crow layout of structures.
Billy’s Island is named after an Indian Chief Billy Bowlegs.
In capturing the Okefenokee at this time, around 1920, I want to capture the beauty of the swamp, and it ugliness. Things like the hard life the loggers lived, racism, the conflict with those that lived in the swamp, the wholesale killing of animals and the raping of the land, and the size of the majestic cypress trees.
By the end of the session, this is what I had. This is on the left hand side of the train room as you walk in. This puts Billy’s Island ½ way between the mill and the end of the line, which is about where it needs to be. Full sized locos handle the traffic between Hebardville and Billy’s Island, then Porter’s handle the rest of the traffic.
I got the wye in. Black and white lumberjack quarters. The shop will be a featured model with detailed interior. The church and the office, and maybe the commissary may be detailed. The trackage, while condensed, matches the same profile as the island. Liberties were taken with the placement of buildings as the O scale structures, even ones this small, are large and take up space. This island, while very large by model train standards, will have deep scenery to give it a rich characteristic.
The scenicked island has dense pine trees and some palms and cypress. The soil is sandy and palmetto plants grow everywhere. So when you walk in the room, the back side of the swamp is the first thing you see, then your focal point spins around and catches the detailed shop and wye complex. The sidings are about six feet long, which is more than enough for the loco and several log bunks. MOW equipment can be stored on the coal bin track, and the water/coal track will remain open, or holding a loco ready for work. All of the other buildings will be omitted, unless I see a need to drop in a very small shack for saw filing or what not.
Things to be included at Billy’s Island
• Wye for turning motive power
• Passing siding
• Indian mounds
• Machine shop
• Supply house
• Black and white quarters
• Commissary
• Cemetary and tombstone
• Well for watering the locomotives on siding
• Coal bin on siding
• Office
• Doctor’s office
• Bakery
• Theatre
• Garden
After visiting Howard Garner’s layout I decided to get down to brass tacks and start working on my own design. The room is about finished, we only need to put down the carpet squares.
I started by looking at the Billy’s Island map. It will be the center of operations for the swamp. I’ve moved it around the room several times, and the more I think about it the more I want a long mainline run. Therefore, I’m going to move it back to the right hand wall.
I’ve got the room drawing finished and checked. I did forget to put in the floor opening and the two drain pipes, so I’ll do those tonight. With that done, we’ll move on to Billy’s Island.
The track cuts straight across the island. Some of the neat features are a wye, a lack of an engine house, the presence of a machine shop and supply house, and a decidedly Jim Crow layout of structures.
Billy’s Island is named after an Indian Chief Billy Bowlegs.
In capturing the Okefenokee at this time, around 1920, I want to capture the beauty of the swamp, and it ugliness. Things like the hard life the loggers lived, racism, the conflict with those that lived in the swamp, the wholesale killing of animals and the raping of the land, and the size of the majestic cypress trees.
By the end of the session, this is what I had. This is on the left hand side of the train room as you walk in. This puts Billy’s Island ½ way between the mill and the end of the line, which is about where it needs to be. Full sized locos handle the traffic between Hebardville and Billy’s Island, then Porter’s handle the rest of the traffic.
I got the wye in. Black and white lumberjack quarters. The shop will be a featured model with detailed interior. The church and the office, and maybe the commissary may be detailed. The trackage, while condensed, matches the same profile as the island. Liberties were taken with the placement of buildings as the O scale structures, even ones this small, are large and take up space. This island, while very large by model train standards, will have deep scenery to give it a rich characteristic.
The scenicked island has dense pine trees and some palms and cypress. The soil is sandy and palmetto plants grow everywhere. So when you walk in the room, the back side of the swamp is the first thing you see, then your focal point spins around and catches the detailed shop and wye complex. The sidings are about six feet long, which is more than enough for the loco and several log bunks. MOW equipment can be stored on the coal bin track, and the water/coal track will remain open, or holding a loco ready for work. All of the other buildings will be omitted, unless I see a need to drop in a very small shack for saw filing or what not.
Things to be included at Billy’s Island
• Wye for turning motive power
• Passing siding
• Indian mounds
• Machine shop
• Supply house
• Black and white quarters
• Commissary
• Cemetary and tombstone
• Well for watering the locomotives on siding
• Coal bin on siding
• Office
• Doctor’s office
• Bakery
• Theatre
• Garden
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Historical File
10/31/08 Notes From Past File
Hebard Cypress Company Notes File
Southern Forest World Museum
Waycross, GA 31501
Telephone: (912)285-4056
Classification: Museum
Location: Across from the Okefenokee Heritage Center.
Comments: Museum depicting the history of forestry in the south. A 2-6-0 narrow guage locomotive is on display.
Waycross Historic Rail Depot
315 Plant Avenue
Waycross, GA 31501
Telephone: (912)283-3744
Alternate telephone: (912)283-8666
Fax number: (912)283-0121
Email: waycrosstour@accessatc.net
Classification: Depot museum
Location: Highway 84/Plant Avenue in Downtown Waycross
Comments: Recently restored Depot, Built in early 1900's
Okefenokee Heritage Center
1460 North Augusta Avenue
Waycross, GA 31503
Telephone: (912)285-4260
Classification: Museum with railroad display
Location: 2 miles NW via US 1/23, then 4 blocks west on Augusta Ave.
Comments: Display includes ACL 0443 caboose, 2-8-2 steam locomotive and railroad depot.
Brunswick and Western Railroad crossed paths with the S&G R/R, a new town was developing. The year was 1874, the town is now known as Waycross
Waycross & Florida Railroad
The History of the Swamp
Steven is majoring in Political Science at Valdosta State Univeristy
The history of the Okefenokee is as long as the history of mankind its self. The frist known inhabentents were living in the swamp as early as 2500 B. C. These early inhalants left burial mounds on every major islands. These mounds were filled with pottery, implements of war, and other items stand as a testimony to these peoples existence. There was also the remains of the Indians them self. The tribe was the probable originator of the Deford Culture, the Swift culture and the Weeden Island Culture. We still do not know much about this tribe since explores did not penetrate the swamp until the 1700's. The tribe also left no written record behind so there was no way to tell about the culture of this lost tribe . The only thing that remains are the remains of these ancient people.
This is the remnants of one of the original inhabitants. This is all that remain of the inhabitants culture.
The last known tribe to inhabit the swamp was the Seminoles Indians, a branch of the creek nation . These Indians used to make raids in the towns surrounding the swamp. Then they would return to the safety of the "land of shaken ground". The Seminoles Indians called the swamp this because of the vast plains of the swamp would shake when you stepped on them, because of the fact that the ground was really floating decomposing plant matter. The Seminoles reason for staying in the swamp was, " a last refuge from the ever approaching white faces". The Seminoles stayed in the swamp for mainy years before they were destribed by the Spainish. First they with stood the Spanish Conquistadors and there evil tortures. Then, even after the English had won control of the swamp they were still persecuted. They stayed in the swamps, it was there safety from the white men it stayed that way for a long time. However, all that would change when the United States of America was formed.
The United States of America made an agreement with the Creek nation, that succeed the swamp to the United States of America. The Seminoles, believing that they had no part with the treaty(since they left the Creek nation), went to war with America for seven years. Leading the Seminoles through this war was a chief named Osceola. Osceola was a very brave leader and a rather brilliant general, but ultimately it was Gen. Jackson and the industrial complex of America that won. Osceola was killed in one of the many small skirmishes. After the war a majority of the Seminols moved to the West, but a few remained in the swamp. They were lead by a half English and Half Seminol chief named Billy Bolegs, after Osceola died. They lived in the swamp with relative peace for a few years, until the General John Floyed arrived.
The island on the left is called Billy's island it was the home of the Seminoles Indians until they were forced from the swamp.
Gen. Floyd landed in the hart of the swamp. He named the Island he landed on Floyd's island. Shortly after his arrival he force the remnants of the Seminoles out of the swamp, they headed to the Everglades (in modern day Florida) were they would later be forced out of. This was around the time period of the 1890's. In 1891 The Suwannee Canal Company Purchased the swamp from the state of Georgia, with the intentions of making a canal to connect the Atlantic to the Gulf of Mexico. These was a rather ambitious plan that would benefit the United states much like the Panama canal did. The logistics of this plan were too much for the company to obtain so they abandoned the plan.
This is some of the mainy miles of canals dug throughout the swamp.
The next company to have an interest for the swamp was the Hebard Cypress Company. They wanted to cut down the Cypress' and drain the swamp to sell it for farm land. They built a mill site near the modern city of Waycross, named Hebardville. The town was a thriving town at the time. It had over 1,000 people, modern schools, churches and lighting plants. A railroad was built from the Herbardville to Hopkins, this was a small logging town which was on the edge of the swamp. The railroad was 20 miles long, but more was needed to get more Cypress trees out of the swamp. The company built an additional 35 miles of railing in to the hart of the swamp. They also constructed small locomotives for the uses on these railroads. They called this railroad system the Waycross and Western railroad. Other companies soon came to the Swamp as well. One of the more successful companies was the Twin-Tree Lumber Company. The swamp employed over 1800 men at one time. They made the interior camp at Billy's Island were they started to clear cut it. Dew to a recession in 1899 Herbard Cypress went bankrupt. All logging operations ended in 1927. For over twenty years the swamp was a prime source of timber and turpentine. After, 1927 no people would be employed by the rich timber.
The Okenfenokee Wildlife Refuge was established in 1937 to preserve the 438,000 acre Swamp. In 1974 to ensure further protection of the swamp, The interior of the swamp was designated as a National Wilderness Area. This encompassed over 353,981 acres of swamp land. To this day the swamp is 396,000 acres and is one of the one of the largest pristine fresh water sources in North America. Today you can go canoeing in the swamp and enjoy all of the wonderful nature in the swamp.
The resources used to write this paper were http://www.grop.com/gorp/re source/us_nwr/ga_okefe.htm, The World Book Great Geographical Atlas by World Book, Inc. and Rand McNally 1982, and The History of the Okefeinokee , Reprinted by the Charlton County Hostorical Socioty Folkston, Georgia 1992
Hebard Cypress Company Notes File
Southern Forest World Museum
Waycross, GA 31501
Telephone: (912)285-4056
Classification: Museum
Location: Across from the Okefenokee Heritage Center.
Comments: Museum depicting the history of forestry in the south. A 2-6-0 narrow guage locomotive is on display.
Waycross Historic Rail Depot
315 Plant Avenue
Waycross, GA 31501
Telephone: (912)283-3744
Alternate telephone: (912)283-8666
Fax number: (912)283-0121
Email: waycrosstour@accessatc.net
Classification: Depot museum
Location: Highway 84/Plant Avenue in Downtown Waycross
Comments: Recently restored Depot, Built in early 1900's
Okefenokee Heritage Center
1460 North Augusta Avenue
Waycross, GA 31503
Telephone: (912)285-4260
Classification: Museum with railroad display
Location: 2 miles NW via US 1/23, then 4 blocks west on Augusta Ave.
Comments: Display includes ACL 0443 caboose, 2-8-2 steam locomotive and railroad depot.
Brunswick and Western Railroad crossed paths with the S&G R/R, a new town was developing. The year was 1874, the town is now known as Waycross
Waycross & Florida Railroad
The History of the Swamp
Steven is majoring in Political Science at Valdosta State Univeristy
The history of the Okefenokee is as long as the history of mankind its self. The frist known inhabentents were living in the swamp as early as 2500 B. C. These early inhalants left burial mounds on every major islands. These mounds were filled with pottery, implements of war, and other items stand as a testimony to these peoples existence. There was also the remains of the Indians them self. The tribe was the probable originator of the Deford Culture, the Swift culture and the Weeden Island Culture. We still do not know much about this tribe since explores did not penetrate the swamp until the 1700's. The tribe also left no written record behind so there was no way to tell about the culture of this lost tribe . The only thing that remains are the remains of these ancient people.
This is the remnants of one of the original inhabitants. This is all that remain of the inhabitants culture.
The last known tribe to inhabit the swamp was the Seminoles Indians, a branch of the creek nation . These Indians used to make raids in the towns surrounding the swamp. Then they would return to the safety of the "land of shaken ground". The Seminoles Indians called the swamp this because of the vast plains of the swamp would shake when you stepped on them, because of the fact that the ground was really floating decomposing plant matter. The Seminoles reason for staying in the swamp was, " a last refuge from the ever approaching white faces". The Seminoles stayed in the swamp for mainy years before they were destribed by the Spainish. First they with stood the Spanish Conquistadors and there evil tortures. Then, even after the English had won control of the swamp they were still persecuted. They stayed in the swamps, it was there safety from the white men it stayed that way for a long time. However, all that would change when the United States of America was formed.
The United States of America made an agreement with the Creek nation, that succeed the swamp to the United States of America. The Seminoles, believing that they had no part with the treaty(since they left the Creek nation), went to war with America for seven years. Leading the Seminoles through this war was a chief named Osceola. Osceola was a very brave leader and a rather brilliant general, but ultimately it was Gen. Jackson and the industrial complex of America that won. Osceola was killed in one of the many small skirmishes. After the war a majority of the Seminols moved to the West, but a few remained in the swamp. They were lead by a half English and Half Seminol chief named Billy Bolegs, after Osceola died. They lived in the swamp with relative peace for a few years, until the General John Floyed arrived.
The island on the left is called Billy's island it was the home of the Seminoles Indians until they were forced from the swamp.
Gen. Floyd landed in the hart of the swamp. He named the Island he landed on Floyd's island. Shortly after his arrival he force the remnants of the Seminoles out of the swamp, they headed to the Everglades (in modern day Florida) were they would later be forced out of. This was around the time period of the 1890's. In 1891 The Suwannee Canal Company Purchased the swamp from the state of Georgia, with the intentions of making a canal to connect the Atlantic to the Gulf of Mexico. These was a rather ambitious plan that would benefit the United states much like the Panama canal did. The logistics of this plan were too much for the company to obtain so they abandoned the plan.
This is some of the mainy miles of canals dug throughout the swamp.
The next company to have an interest for the swamp was the Hebard Cypress Company. They wanted to cut down the Cypress' and drain the swamp to sell it for farm land. They built a mill site near the modern city of Waycross, named Hebardville. The town was a thriving town at the time. It had over 1,000 people, modern schools, churches and lighting plants. A railroad was built from the Herbardville to Hopkins, this was a small logging town which was on the edge of the swamp. The railroad was 20 miles long, but more was needed to get more Cypress trees out of the swamp. The company built an additional 35 miles of railing in to the hart of the swamp. They also constructed small locomotives for the uses on these railroads. They called this railroad system the Waycross and Western railroad. Other companies soon came to the Swamp as well. One of the more successful companies was the Twin-Tree Lumber Company. The swamp employed over 1800 men at one time. They made the interior camp at Billy's Island were they started to clear cut it. Dew to a recession in 1899 Herbard Cypress went bankrupt. All logging operations ended in 1927. For over twenty years the swamp was a prime source of timber and turpentine. After, 1927 no people would be employed by the rich timber.
The Okenfenokee Wildlife Refuge was established in 1937 to preserve the 438,000 acre Swamp. In 1974 to ensure further protection of the swamp, The interior of the swamp was designated as a National Wilderness Area. This encompassed over 353,981 acres of swamp land. To this day the swamp is 396,000 acres and is one of the one of the largest pristine fresh water sources in North America. Today you can go canoeing in the swamp and enjoy all of the wonderful nature in the swamp.
The resources used to write this paper were http://www.grop.com/gorp/re source/us_nwr/ga_okefe.htm, The World Book Great Geographical Atlas by World Book, Inc. and Rand McNally 1982, and The History of the Okefeinokee , Reprinted by the Charlton County Hostorical Socioty Folkston, Georgia 1992
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Initial Entry
The construction of the Okefenokee Railroad has been a dream of mine for many years. Now we get to do it! I’m working on finishing the 11.5’ x 23.5’ room now, with adjacent hallway. Neil Johnson has been working on the sheetrock. I’ve set up a masterfile and a Journal file (this one).
There is a lot of data that has to be set up.
There is a lot of data that has to be set up.
Opening Entry
The construction of the Okefenokee Railroad has been a dream of mine for many years. Now we get to do it! I’m working on finishing the 11.5’ x 23.5’ room now, with adjacent hallway. Neil Johnson has been working on the sheetrock. I’ve set up a masterfile and a Journal file (this one).
There is a lot of data that has to be set up.
There is a lot of data that has to be set up.
Friday, October 31, 2008
History and Links
Southern Forest World Museum
Waycross, GA 31501
Telephone: (912)285-4056
Classification: Museum
Location: Across from the Okefenokee Heritage Center.
Comments: Museum depicting the history of forestry in the south. A 2-6-0 narrow guage locomotive is on display.
Waycross Historic Rail Depot
315 Plant Avenue
Waycross, GA 31501
Telephone: (912)283-3744
Alternate telephone: (912)283-8666
Fax number: (912)283-0121
Email: waycrosstour@accessatc.net
Classification: Depot museum
Location: Highway 84/Plant Avenue in Downtown Waycross
Comments: Recently restored Depot, Built in early 1900's
Okefenokee Heritage Center
1460 North Augusta Avenue
Waycross, GA 31503
Telephone: (912)285-4260
Classification: Museum with railroad display
Location: 2 miles NW via US 1/23, then 4 blocks west on Augusta Ave.
Comments: Display includes ACL 0443 caboose, 2-8-2 steam locomotive and railroad depot.
Brunswick and Western Railroad crossed paths with the S&G R/R, a new town was developing. The year was 1874, the town is now known as Waycross
Waycross & Florida Railroad
The History of the Swamp
Steven is majoring in Political Science at Valdosta State Univeristy
The history of the Okefenokee is as long as the history of mankind its self. The frist known inhabentents were living in the swamp as early as 2500 B. C. These early inhalants left burial mounds on every major islands. These mounds were filled with pottery, implements of war, and other items stand as a testimony to these peoples existence. There was also the remains of the Indians them self. The tribe was the probable originator of the Deford Culture, the Swift culture and the Weeden Island Culture. We still do not know much about this tribe since explores did not penetrate the swamp until the 1700's. The tribe also left no written record behind so there was no way to tell about the culture of this lost tribe . The only thing that remains are the remains of these ancient people.
This is the remnants of one of the original inhabitants. This is all that remain of the inhabitants culture.
The last known tribe to inhabit the swamp was the Seminoles Indians, a branch of the creek nation . These Indians used to make raids in the towns surrounding the swamp. Then they would return to the safety of the "land of shaken ground". The Seminoles Indians called the swamp this because of the vast plains of the swamp would shake when you stepped on them, because of the fact that the ground was really floating decomposing plant matter. The Seminoles reason for staying in the swamp was, " a last refuge from the ever approaching white faces". The Seminoles stayed in the swamp for mainy years before they were destribed by the Spainish. First they with stood the Spanish Conquistadors and there evil tortures. Then, even after the English had won control of the swamp they were still persecuted. They stayed in the swamps, it was there safety from the white men it stayed that way for a long time. However, all that would change when the United States of America was formed.
The United States of America made an agreement with the Creek nation, that succeed the swamp to the United States of America. The Seminoles, believing that they had no part with the treaty(since they left the Creek nation), went to war with America for seven years. Leading the Seminoles through this war was a chief named Osceola. Osceola was a very brave leader and a rather brilliant general, but ultimately it was Gen. Jackson and the industrial complex of America that won. Osceola was killed in one of the many small skirmishes. After the war a majority of the Seminols moved to the West, but a few remained in the swamp. They were lead by a half English and Half Seminol chief named Billy Bolegs, after Osceola died. They lived in the swamp with relative peace for a few years, until the General John Floyed arrived.
The island on the left is called Billy's island it was the home of the Seminoles Indians until they were forced from the swamp.
Gen. Floyd landed in the hart of the swamp. He named the Island he landed on Floyd's island. Shortly after his arrival he force the remnants of the Seminoles out of the swamp, they headed to the Everglades (in modern day Florida) were they would later be forced out of. This was around the time period of the 1890's. In 1891 The Suwannee Canal Company Purchased the swamp from the state of Georgia, with the intentions of making a canal to connect the Atlantic to the Gulf of Mexico. These was a rather ambitious plan that would benefit the United states much like the Panama canal did. The logistics of this plan were too much for the company to obtain so they abandoned the plan.
This is some of the mainy miles of canals dug throughout the swamp.
The next company to have an interest for the swamp was the Hebard Cypress Company. They wanted to cut down the Cypress' and drain the swamp to sell it for farm land. They built a mill site near the modern city of Waycross, named Hebardville. The town was a thriving town at the time. It had over 1,000 people, modern schools, churches and lighting plants. A railroad was built from the Herbardville to Hopkins, this was a small logging town which was on the edge of the swamp. The railroad was 20 miles long, but more was needed to get more Cypress trees out of the swamp. The company built an additional 35 miles of railing in to the hart of the swamp. They also constructed small locomotives for the uses on these railroads. They called this railroad system the Waycross and Western railroad. Other companies soon came to the Swamp as well. One of the more successful companies was the Twin-Tree Lumber Company. The swamp employed over 1800 men at one time. They made the interior camp at Billy's Island were they started to clear cut it. Dew to a recession in 1899 Herbard Cypress went bankrupt. All logging operations ended in 1927. For over twenty years the swamp was a prime source of timber and turpentine. After, 1927 no people would be employed by the rich timber.
The Okenfenokee Wildlife Refuge was established in 1937 to preserve the 438,000 acre Swamp. In 1974 to ensure further protection of the swamp, The interior of the swamp was designated as a National Wilderness Area. This encompassed over 353,981 acres of swamp land. To this day the swamp is 396,000 acres and is one of the one of the largest pristine fresh water sources in North America. Today you can go canoeing in the swamp and enjoy all of the wonderful nature in the swamp.
The resources used to write this paper were http://www.grop.com/gorp/re source/us_nwr/ga_okefe.htm, The World Book Great Geographical Atlas by World Book, Inc. and Rand McNally 1982, and The History of the Okefeinokee , Reprinted by the Charlton County Hostorical Socioty Folkston, Georgia 1992
Waycross, GA 31501
Telephone: (912)285-4056
Classification: Museum
Location: Across from the Okefenokee Heritage Center.
Comments: Museum depicting the history of forestry in the south. A 2-6-0 narrow guage locomotive is on display.
Waycross Historic Rail Depot
315 Plant Avenue
Waycross, GA 31501
Telephone: (912)283-3744
Alternate telephone: (912)283-8666
Fax number: (912)283-0121
Email: waycrosstour@accessatc.net
Classification: Depot museum
Location: Highway 84/Plant Avenue in Downtown Waycross
Comments: Recently restored Depot, Built in early 1900's
Okefenokee Heritage Center
1460 North Augusta Avenue
Waycross, GA 31503
Telephone: (912)285-4260
Classification: Museum with railroad display
Location: 2 miles NW via US 1/23, then 4 blocks west on Augusta Ave.
Comments: Display includes ACL 0443 caboose, 2-8-2 steam locomotive and railroad depot.
Brunswick and Western Railroad crossed paths with the S&G R/R, a new town was developing. The year was 1874, the town is now known as Waycross
Waycross & Florida Railroad
The History of the Swamp
Steven is majoring in Political Science at Valdosta State Univeristy
The history of the Okefenokee is as long as the history of mankind its self. The frist known inhabentents were living in the swamp as early as 2500 B. C. These early inhalants left burial mounds on every major islands. These mounds were filled with pottery, implements of war, and other items stand as a testimony to these peoples existence. There was also the remains of the Indians them self. The tribe was the probable originator of the Deford Culture, the Swift culture and the Weeden Island Culture. We still do not know much about this tribe since explores did not penetrate the swamp until the 1700's. The tribe also left no written record behind so there was no way to tell about the culture of this lost tribe . The only thing that remains are the remains of these ancient people.
This is the remnants of one of the original inhabitants. This is all that remain of the inhabitants culture.
The last known tribe to inhabit the swamp was the Seminoles Indians, a branch of the creek nation . These Indians used to make raids in the towns surrounding the swamp. Then they would return to the safety of the "land of shaken ground". The Seminoles Indians called the swamp this because of the vast plains of the swamp would shake when you stepped on them, because of the fact that the ground was really floating decomposing plant matter. The Seminoles reason for staying in the swamp was, " a last refuge from the ever approaching white faces". The Seminoles stayed in the swamp for mainy years before they were destribed by the Spainish. First they with stood the Spanish Conquistadors and there evil tortures. Then, even after the English had won control of the swamp they were still persecuted. They stayed in the swamps, it was there safety from the white men it stayed that way for a long time. However, all that would change when the United States of America was formed.
The United States of America made an agreement with the Creek nation, that succeed the swamp to the United States of America. The Seminoles, believing that they had no part with the treaty(since they left the Creek nation), went to war with America for seven years. Leading the Seminoles through this war was a chief named Osceola. Osceola was a very brave leader and a rather brilliant general, but ultimately it was Gen. Jackson and the industrial complex of America that won. Osceola was killed in one of the many small skirmishes. After the war a majority of the Seminols moved to the West, but a few remained in the swamp. They were lead by a half English and Half Seminol chief named Billy Bolegs, after Osceola died. They lived in the swamp with relative peace for a few years, until the General John Floyed arrived.
The island on the left is called Billy's island it was the home of the Seminoles Indians until they were forced from the swamp.
Gen. Floyd landed in the hart of the swamp. He named the Island he landed on Floyd's island. Shortly after his arrival he force the remnants of the Seminoles out of the swamp, they headed to the Everglades (in modern day Florida) were they would later be forced out of. This was around the time period of the 1890's. In 1891 The Suwannee Canal Company Purchased the swamp from the state of Georgia, with the intentions of making a canal to connect the Atlantic to the Gulf of Mexico. These was a rather ambitious plan that would benefit the United states much like the Panama canal did. The logistics of this plan were too much for the company to obtain so they abandoned the plan.
This is some of the mainy miles of canals dug throughout the swamp.
The next company to have an interest for the swamp was the Hebard Cypress Company. They wanted to cut down the Cypress' and drain the swamp to sell it for farm land. They built a mill site near the modern city of Waycross, named Hebardville. The town was a thriving town at the time. It had over 1,000 people, modern schools, churches and lighting plants. A railroad was built from the Herbardville to Hopkins, this was a small logging town which was on the edge of the swamp. The railroad was 20 miles long, but more was needed to get more Cypress trees out of the swamp. The company built an additional 35 miles of railing in to the hart of the swamp. They also constructed small locomotives for the uses on these railroads. They called this railroad system the Waycross and Western railroad. Other companies soon came to the Swamp as well. One of the more successful companies was the Twin-Tree Lumber Company. The swamp employed over 1800 men at one time. They made the interior camp at Billy's Island were they started to clear cut it. Dew to a recession in 1899 Herbard Cypress went bankrupt. All logging operations ended in 1927. For over twenty years the swamp was a prime source of timber and turpentine. After, 1927 no people would be employed by the rich timber.
The Okenfenokee Wildlife Refuge was established in 1937 to preserve the 438,000 acre Swamp. In 1974 to ensure further protection of the swamp, The interior of the swamp was designated as a National Wilderness Area. This encompassed over 353,981 acres of swamp land. To this day the swamp is 396,000 acres and is one of the one of the largest pristine fresh water sources in North America. Today you can go canoeing in the swamp and enjoy all of the wonderful nature in the swamp.
The resources used to write this paper were http://www.grop.com/gorp/re source/us_nwr/ga_okefe.htm, The World Book Great Geographical Atlas by World Book, Inc. and Rand McNally 1982, and The History of the Okefeinokee , Reprinted by the Charlton County Hostorical Socioty Folkston, Georgia 1992
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