Bishop in Oconee County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
Oak Branch Fairgrounds, Racetrack and Branch Family Home
Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, January 19, 2025
1. Oak Branch Fairgrounds, Racetrack and Branch Family Home marker
Inscription.
Oak Branch Fairgrounds, Racetrack and Branch Family Home. . The historical 1/2 miles harness racing track extant a short distance northwest of here was built in 1893 by Robert E. Branch. A fourth generation descendant of the Branch family of Oconee County, he lived in the adjacent house from 1888-1929. In 1899, Mr. Branch and others incorporated the Oak Branch Fair Association, which sponsored, for several years, a 5 day fair. The fair drew as many as 300-400 visitors from Georgia and beyond. Horse racing was the primary attraction, with horses coming in by train to compete. Premiums were paid for race winners as well as for agricultural exhibits and ladies' handiwork. Family legend states that a favorite race horse was buried in the Branch family cemetery across the road.
The historical 1/2 miles harness racing track extant a short distance northwest of here was built in 1893 by Robert E. Branch. A fourth generation descendant of the Branch family of Oconee County, he lived in the adjacent house from 1888-1929. In 1899, Mr. Branch and others incorporated the Oak Branch Fair Association, which sponsored, for several years, a 5 day fair. The fair drew as many as 300-400 visitors from Georgia and beyond. Horse racing was the primary attraction, with horses coming in by train to compete. Premiums were paid for race winners as well as for agricultural exhibits and ladies' handiwork. Family legend states that a favorite race horse was buried in the Branch family cemetery across the road.
Erected 2014 by Thomas Miller Chapter, The National Society Colonial Dames XVII Century.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Places. A significant historical year for this entry is 1893.
Location. 33° 48.392′ N, 83° 27.128′ W. Marker is in Bishop, Georgia, in Oconee County. It is on Price Mill Road 0.4 miles south of Freeman Creek Road, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4881 Price Mill Rd, Bishop GA 30621, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Georgia’s Antebellum Trail, in the Classic City Area, and in the Piedmont. 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 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 5 miles of this marker, measured as
Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, January 19, 2025
2. Oak Branch Fairgrounds, Racetrack and Branch Family Home marker
Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, January 19, 2025
3. Branch family cemetery in the field across the street from the marker.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 23, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 21, 2025, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. This page has been viewed 193 times since then and 44 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on January 21, 2025, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
