Blitchton in Bryan County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

Old River Road

Photographed by Mike Stroud, September 21, 2008

1. Old River Road Marker

Inscription. The highway northward is the Old River Road, one of the earliest routes west of the Ogeechee and a leading way from Savannah to Georgia's western frontier. It followed an old Indian trial [sic] along the Ogeechee to a point west of Bartow, thence to the Rock Landing on the Oconee River below Milledgeville. There the trace intersected the main trail of the Lower Creek Trading Path from Augusta to the Creek Indians of western Georgia and eastern Alabama.

Opening of this part of the road was authorized by the State in 1777. In time the route became an important vehicular thoroughfare from Savannah to Milledgeville.

Erected 1996 by Georgia Historic Marker. (Marker Number 015-5B.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Notable Places • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the Georgia Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1777.

Location. 32° 11.832′ N, 81° 26.309′ W. Marker is in Blitchton, Georgia, in Bryan County. It is on U.S. 80 near U.S. 280, on the right when traveling

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south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Ellabell GA 31308, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Georgia’s Coastal Plain, on the Georgia Coast and the Golden Isles,

and in Greater Savannah.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 11 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Jencks Bridge (approx. 1.3 miles away); Sherman's Right Wing (approx. 3.3 miles away); a different marker also named Sherman's Right Wing (approx. 3.6 miles away); Sherman at Zion Church (approx. 4½ miles away); a different marker also named Old River Road (approx. 6.4 miles away); Guyton Confederate General Hospital (approx. 9.7 miles away); Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Normal and Industrial Institute

Old River Road Marker at the intersection US 80 and US 280 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, September 21, 2008

2. Old River Road Marker at the intersection US 80 and US 280

(approx. 10.3 miles away); Stilson, Georgia (approx. 11 miles away).

Also see . . . Transportation in the American Frontier,By Sherri M.L. Smith. "Probably the best-known and most heavily traveled Indian trail in Georgia was the Lower Creek Trading Path. From the trading center of Augusta, it ran westward across the state, following the geographical fall line." (Submitted on October 14, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.)

Photographed by Mike Stroud, 2008

3. Old River Road Marker

Coming soon, a modern day "Trading Post"

Credits. This page was last revised on March 12, 2019. It was originally submitted on October 14, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 2,755 times since then and 50 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 14, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.