The one lane bridge over the Ichauway-Nochauway Creek on Ichauway Plantation in southwest Georgia.
Ichauway Bridge. When was the last time you saw a one-lane bridge on a dirt road? Have you ever even seen a dirt road much less a one-lane bridge?
The last time I went to my mother's house in south Georgia, I stopped off at Ichauway Plantation to see if the old bridge was still in use. It is indeed there and still in use. I watched two trucks cross it while I was taking photos. This bridge spans the Ichauway-Nochauway (pronounced Itch-a-way-Notch-a-way) Creek in south Georgia.
It’s located on what was once the Ichuaway Plantation which was owned by Robert Woodruff, the founder of Coca-Cola. My mother grew up on Ichauway Plantation. Right at the end of that bridge, actually.
At the end of the bridge is this little country grocery store. My grandparents ran the store and they all lived in a house in back of it. My grandfather also worked for the CDC (Communicable Disease Center) at the “experiment station” located on Ichauway. They did malaria research. Perfect area for it since there’s an abundance of mosquitoes. It’s beautiful out there. So quiet. So peaceful.
Today the plantation is home to the the Joseph W. Jones Ecological Research Center. However, all the old buildings are still there and I thank them sincerely for preserving it just the way we've always known it.
I'm heading back there for work this week. It's only about a 4 hour drive from us but a complete world away. I love it there. It is, simply, home.
More about Ichauway from the New Georgia Encyclopedia.
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Lana Stuart is the cook and occasional traveler here at Never Enough Thyme. Lana has been cooking since she was tall enough to reach the stove and started this blog in 2009 to share her delicious home cooking recipes. You'll find about 700 recipes here so there's sure to be something your family will like!
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Sonya Allen
Does anyone know if there are any African American graves located on the Ichuaway plantation?
Lana Stuart
Hi Sonya - I know that John the Baptist Church (no longer in use) is located within the property and it was an African American congregation. It's possible that there is a cemetery associated with the church as would be typical of rural churches. Here's a link to an article about the church https://www.hrcga.org/county/baker/
Williams
My name is Greg Williams I'm from baker county. I've heard the name Mr. Smokey Burns all my life. I don't remember him but my family does. My #404-985-0895.
Alonzo B.
Wow... My grandfather(LV Smoky Burns) & grandmother(Mildred Burns), Worked at this plantation, as well as started their family there. If anyone has any more information on my grandparents or our family. Please Help Me find out more about my families history. Both of my grandparents are pasted way I`m up late thinking about them and my family. With lots of questions. Tks.
Laura
My grandmother worked at the malaria experimental station there. Thanks for the history, all I knew was the name (and find it funny a mosquito research station is pronounced "Itch-away"!