Ocilla in Irwin County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
Jefferson Davis Memorial State Park
Photographed By David Seibert, January 17, 2011
1. Jefferson Davis Memorial State Park Marker
After a difficult journey via Sandersville, Dublin and Abbeville, he camped a mile north of Irwinville (9 miles NW) in the present Jefferson Davis Memorial State Park, unaware that, in Dublin, the 1st Wisconsin Cavalry [US] had found his trail and begun a pursuit.
At dawn on May 10th, his camp was surrounded by men of the 1st Wisconsin and 4th Michigan cavalry regiments [US] and he became a “state prisoner,” his hopes for a new nation, in which each state would exercise without interference its cherished “Constitutional rights” forever dead.
To visit the Park, take State 32 from Ocilla to Irwinville. To continue north after the visit, turn right in Irwinville on State 32 one mile, thence left on State 107 to its junction with US 129 in Fitzgerald. Museum. Open 9 to 6. Picnic grounds.
Erected 1957 by Georgia Historical Commission. (Marker Number 077-3.)
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Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Georgia Historical Society series list. A significant historical date for this entry is May 4, 1865.
Location. 31° 35.65′ N, 83° 15.667′ W. Marker is in Ocilla, Georgia, in Irwin County. Marker is at the intersection of Mystic Highway (Georgia Route 32) and Tifton Highway (Georgia Route 35), on the right when traveling west on Mystic Highway. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Ocilla GA 31774, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Veterans of All Wars Memorial (approx. 0.6 miles away); Confederate Memorial (approx. 0.6 miles away); Irwin County (approx. 0.6 miles away); Irwin County Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.6 miles away); Dorminy's Meeting House Young's Meeting House Brushy Creek (approx. 3.8 miles away); First Baptist Church Bell (approx. 8 miles away); a different marker also named Jefferson Davis Memorial State Park (approx. 8.1 miles away); Fitzgerald Rotary Club (approx. 8.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ocilla.
Photographed By David Seibert, January 17, 2011
2. Jefferson Davis Memorial State Park Marker
Looking east at the junction of Georgia Highways 32 (left) and 35 (right) at the western edge of Ocilla.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 17, 2021. It was originally submitted on February 1, 2011, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. This page has been viewed 955 times since then and 27 times this year. Last updated on January 17, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 1, 2011, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
