Washington in Wilkes County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

1920 Dredging of Kettle Creek

— Kettle Creek Battlefield - An American Revolutionary Cemetery —

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, September 19, 2026

1. 1920 Dredging of Kettle Creek Marker

Inscription. In 1920, local farmers initiated a program to control the flow of water along Kettle Creek in order to create additional land for their crops and livestock. A large dredge was used to deepen and straighten Kettle Creek. This dredging process produced unintended environmental damage. Along with destroying much of the river cane along Kettle Creek, it also increased erosion along Kelly Branch due to a more rapid flow of water.

During the Battle of Kettle Creek, Kelly Branch was marshy, but it could be forded by people who were walking, on horseback, or with wagons. Over the years, the 1920 dredging has caused Kelly Branch to deepen to the point that today it would seem impossible for a soldier on horseback to cross its steep banks.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Environment • War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical year for this entry is 1920.

Location. 33° 41.383′ N, 82° 53.186′ W. Marker is in Washington, Georgia, in Wilkes County. It can be reached from War Hill Road 0.2 miles south of Settlement Road, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker

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is at or near this postal address: 299 War Hill Rd, Washington GA 30673, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Piedmont.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

Globally, it is in 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 walking distance of this marker: Loyalists Defeat On Spurgin Hill (within shouting distance of this marker); Canebrakes Affect The Battle of Kettle Creek (within shouting distance of this marker); Battle of Kettle Creek (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Early Colonial Roads (about 500 feet away); "Cenotaph" (about 500 feet away); Revolutionary War Soldiers' Burials (about 500 feet away); Clark's Attack (about 500 feet away); Kettle Creek Battlefield (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Washington.

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, September 19, 2026

2. 1920 Dredging of Kettle Creek Marker

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, September 19, 2026

3. 1920 Dredging of Kettle Creek Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on October 19, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 20, 2026, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. This page has been viewed 12 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 6, 2026, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.