Category Archives: –LONG COUNTY GA–

Brickyard Branch, Long County

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Brickyard Branch is located on the edge of Ludowici, bordering both sides of US Highway 301. It’s part of the Altamaha River floodplain.

I first thought it was named for the brick and tile yard of the Ludowici Celadon Company which gave the town its name, early in the 20th century, but after discussion with a longtime resident believe there was a brickyard near the creek which was operational before the Celadon Company. It may have been what attracted them to the area.

Branch is another term for swamp [or creek]. A typical Southeast Georgia landscape, reminiscent of the Okefenokee Swamp, it’s characterized by brackish streams, ponds, and prairies.

Though not a publicly accessible area, it can be viewed from the highway right of way in several locations.

No other river in Georgia that I know has floodplains as extensive as the Altamaha, which reach over ten miles from Jesup to Ludowici.

It’s very important for wildlife and native plants, many of which are found in greater numbers here than almost anywhere else.

Most of the area is protected, be it by wildlife management areas or private ownership.

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Praise House, Circa 1930, Long County

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Driving the back roads of Long County the other day, I came across this gem and soon met Mr. Worthy, the landowner. He explained that this was an original praise house and that it was at least 80 years old. [This particular area has a long history of Black farmers and in earlier times, there was a large turpentine operation nearby. This likely explains its remote presence here]. To my knowledge, it’s the only surviving praise house in Long County.

Praise houses were tiny shelters used by Geechee-Gullah, and other African-Americans, for worship and as community gathering places. They are the rarest examples of religious architecture in Georgia, with just a few surviving in the coastal region.

The sign, reading “Thee Body of Christ”, is what initially got my attention.

Mr. Worthy noted that the sign, and other work in the yard, was done by his wife, Shelly Worthy.

Mrs. Worthy also created this small chapel as a place of worship and reflection.

Her inspired handiwork can be seen all over the property.

It is a fascinating place and an important example of a passion for history and a passion for faith coming together to protect a resource of great significance.

Double Shotgun House, Long County

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This gable front farmhouse is of a variety sometimes referred to as a “double shotgun”, as it is divided by a common wall in the middle with two doors for separate access.

Central Hallway Farmhouse, Long County

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This is a nice example of the common central hallway form, likely dating to the late 19th century.

Double-Pen Farmhouse, Long County

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I believe this is now the clubhouse for the Jones Creek Fox Pen, a local hunting club.

There’s an amazing Live Oak in front of the house, even if it’s “young” by Live Oak standards.

Log Tobacco Barn, Long County

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This barn likely dates to the 1930s [perhaps 1920s], when tobacco production became a larger sector of the commercial agricultural economy in Georgia. Before that time, production was scattered and more specialized. An interesting feature of several tobacco barns I’ve documented in Long County is their height, which is notably shorter than most barns found elsewhere in Georgia. I’m unsure as to the reason for this.

Endangered Landmark in Ludowici

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In 2013, I shared a post about this house, and identified it as the Allen Johnston House. The identification was made by people in Ludowici and there is some debate as to whether that is correct; nonetheless, it’s likely the oldest house in Ludowici and a recent clearing of the property is concerning.

Though parts of the house appear to be structurally sound, the eastern section is collapsing from the second floor down. According to previous comments, the house was still occupied in the early 1990s.

I believe this was originally the rear of the house but the entrance may have been switched to this side at some point in its history. There is more Ludowici Tile on this structure than on any other, to my knowledge, in Long County. Since the tile factory was in operation in the earliest part of the 20th century, the roof would have been a later addition, like the porches.

The kitchen was also attached to the house, as seen here.

Godfrey House, Circa 1870, Ludowici

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I am unsure of the early history of this house, built circa 1870, but it is best remembered today as the home of the late Jake Godfrey, who served for a time as the mayor of Ludowici. It predates the establishment of the town by at least 30 years and was built when the community was known as Johnston Station.

Logging Tram, Long County

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I photographed this logging tram in 2011 near the Long/McIntosh County line and am not sure if it is still intact. Floods over the past decade have been common in the area. I’m not precisely sure how they utilized it , but there were numerous versions of these in the Southern swamps at the turn of the last century, when the timber industry was dominant and most of the old growth forests were being decimated. This one may date to the 1920s or 1930s, but could be earlier. Discussions with a friend with knowledge of the area suggest there are several other surviving remnants of old logging roads/railroads in the area and I plan to try to document some of them in the future.