Welcome to Baxley and Appling County, Georgia

Outdoor Enthusiasts have an exciting opportunity awaiting them as they explore the mighty Altamaha River. Featured in the National Geographic magazine, the Altamaha River is the second largest watershed on the eastern seaboard and remains completely undammed. Crossed only five times by roads and twice by rail lines, the Altamaha's natural beauty is largely undisturbed. It flows 137 miles from it's formation by the Oconee and Ocmulgee Rivers, north of Baxley, to it's delta at the coast. Canoeist, kayakers and birdwatchers delight in the opportunity to experience the sighting of rare birds and endangered species of plants and animals found along the Altamaha River. Truly the Nature Conservancy is correct in dubbing the Altamaha "Georgia's Natural Treasure, One of America's Last Great Places." Experience the Altamaha for yourself!

Superb hunting and fishing abound in Appling County. The 13,883 acre Bullard Creek Wildlife Management Area provides hunting for deer, turkey, and small game. Located near Deen's Landing and Falling Rocks Park on the Altamaha River. For additional information call 912-426-5267. Limited hunting is also available at the Moody Forest Natural Area. This 3,889 acre preserve also provides hiking and excellent bird watching. Moody is managed by a joint agreement with the Nature Conservancy and the GA Department of Natural Resources. For more information call 912-366-9549. The Altamaha River is considered the premier largemouth bass fishing river in Southeast Georgia. There are five boat landings in Appling County, Deen's Landing, Morris Landing, Davis Landing, Eason's Landing and Carter's Bight Landing. Shown below: Deen's Landing picnic shelter, plenty of parking and restrooms available. Visit our 170 acre Lake Mayers, west of Baxley. Lake Mayers offers fishing for largemouth bass, bream and crappie. The lake is open year round from sunrise to sunset daily. Access is available from the bank or by boat via two concrete ramps at the Public Recreation Area. Other activities included swimming, skiing and picnicking. Restrooms are available. Show below: Lake Mayers. Directions:  Take U. S. Highway # 1 South, from the center of town in Baxley. Turn west on Bay St. (across the street from First Methodist Church). The road name changes to Zoar Rd. a few miles out of town. Travel 7.8 miles on Bay St./Zoar Rd.Turn right on Lake Mayers Rd, travel 2.5 miles. Turn right on Dewitt Herrington Rd, travel .2 of a mile, turn left on Williams Dr., travel .1 of a mile to the park entrance where the public beach and boat ramp are located. If you are traveling from Graham, turn north on Graham/Zoar Rd., turn left on Lake Mayers Rd., turn left on Williams Rd. This is a total of 3.6 miles from Graham.  Bait & Tackle may be obtained near Lake Mayers at the Graham Convenience Store located at the intersection of Hwy 341 and Zoar Rd, (912) 366-9566.  Bait shops located in Appling County are: 1) Country Convenience Store (Petro Gas Station) 506 E. Parker St. (Hwy. 341) in downtown Baxley-located next to Harvey's Grocery Store, phone 912-367-0519. They have worms, crickets and minnows. 2) U.S. #1 Convenience Store, 6914 Hatch Parkway North (U.S. Highway #1-between the Altamaha River and Baxley), phone 912-367-1462. They have worms, crickets and minnows. 3) Eason's Convenience Store, 10440 Ten Mile Rd., (near Eason's Landing on the Altamaha River), phone 912-367-9659. They have worms and minnows. For Appling County maps call Karen at 912-367-7731. For additional information contact the Appling County Recreation Department at 912-367-8190.

Our Neoclssical style Courthouse built in 1907 greets you in the heart of downtown, as you travel the crossroads of U.S. Highway #1 and #341. A pedimented Corinthian portico and pavilions and an octagonal domed clock tower ornament the building's exterior while the first floor interior features Georgia marble wainscoting. The courthouse was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1980

Step back in time at the Heritage Center Museum where an extraordinary display exists explaing the early turpentine production in Appling County. The museum also offers a wide variety of items and records that detail the history of our county. Don't miss the Black History Room, The War Room, and the Genealogy Room! Visit the Heritage Center on the web at: www.28.brinkwater.com Heritage Center hours are Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: noon - 4:30 p.m., Saturday 9:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Admission is free. Phone 912-367-8133. To order a copy of Ruth Barron's "Footprints in Appling County" history from 1818-1978, mail a check for $50 to the Appling County Heritage Center, P.O. Box 87, Baxley, Ga. 31513. Please enclose $5 shipping for one book, $7 shipping for two or more books. For additional information you may call the Heritage Center at (912) 367-8133.

Uniqueness

Visit Honest Al's Antique Emporium's five rooms of fabulous antiques. Some of the great finds include tobacco memorablilia, reproductive pieces, and some furniture from the 1700's to 1950's.

Come visit The Plunder Place. This unique Country Store is filled with Antiques and Collectables. Also fresh produce, pottery and flowers. Located on Hwy. 15 South, (912) 366-9727.

Warmth best describes the feeling you have when you visit historical Graham United Methodist Church. Built in 1886, the church was patterned after the little rural chapels of old England.

Caroline Pafford Miller, Georgia's first Pulitzer Prize Winner, wrote her prize-winning novel, "Lamb In His Bosom", in 1933 while living in Baxley, Georgia.

Visit the Wildlife Art Shop in Downtown Baxley. Browse the unique natural items available and attempt to find the hidden wildlife in the lovely prints for sale.

The A. Randall Tuten Environmental Park/Outdoor Classroom, located on the campus of Appling Middle School, boasts a 20 acre park of natural and planted woodlands. Hike the one-mile nature trail, view the two ponds, small stream, covered amphitheatre, and a variety of species of trees, plants and birds used for educational purposes and for the community alike.

The Moody Forest Natural Area is an irreplaceable, one-of-a-kind treasure. The preserve boasts one of the nations last remaining old-growth forest featuring Longleaf and Slash pine 200-300 plus years old and mammoth Tupelo Cypress more than 600 years old. Moody is also home to rare wild-flowers, birds and animals including the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker, the gopher tortoise and the eastern indigo snake.

Annual Festivals!

BAXLEY TREE FEST The 16th annual award-winning festival is a celebration of the forestry industry and outdoor recreation. The Baxley Tree Fest will be held April 6-8, 2006. One of the highlights of the three-day festival is the popular street dance, held on Friday night. On Saturday the festival features an Outdoor Expo along with Arts & Crafts and many other surprises. Some of the other featured events are: Parade,  Arts & Crafts, Tennis Slam, Softball Tournament,  "Treetography" Photo Contest, Motorcycle Show, Petting Zoo, Continuous Entertainment and much more!

SURRENCY DAY The Surrency Day Festival is always held the second Saturday in October. The town of Surrency rolls out the red carpet and welcomes everyone to their "homecoming." Highlights include a Parade, Arts & Crafts, continuous Entertainment and many other surpises. PINEY BLUFF FESTIVAL The annual Piney Bluff Festival is held the weekend before Thanksgiving. It begins on Friday evening with Arts & Crafts, Entertainment and a Pancake Supper. The fun continues on Saturday that includes a cane grinding and syrup making demonstration.