Columbus is excited about the Chattahoochee River’s white water now roiling past its downtown.
In Ludowici, you’d hear about its namesake—those classic, curved clay tiles. Folks in Savannah will tell you about the city’s squares.
When David Letterman hosted his late-night TV show, a signature feature was his Top 10. If you were touring first-time visitors to Wayne County, what would be on your Top 10 must-do list? To jump-start your thinking, consider these:
1. Altamaha River, the Amazon of the South. Kayak under the Doctortown Trestle and tell how Rebs—in the Civil War—kept Yanks from burning that crucial railroad bridge.
2. Rayonier Advanced Materials. When you launch at Jaycee Landing, you’ll paddle right by the world’s largest chemical cellulose mill.
3. Jesup Drive-In. Not only is it a twin outdoor cinema. It is Georgia’s oldest drive-in.
4. Dairy Ranch. On the way to town, snack on a bag of batter-crusted French fries. One bite and I’m back to 1955.
5. Clary-Whaley House. On city lot number 1, one of Jesup’s earliest settlers, Willis Clary, built this house that is now the office of Harris & Company. CPAs Derwin Drury and Kenny Bryant, former owners, restored this landmark.
6. Train Depot. Jesup got its start on a rail line. Now, this magnificently restored structure is a gem in our community’s crown.
7. Bennetts’ Pool. Dr. Larry Bennett and his late wife, Jann, shared their backyard amenity with the masses, including our own 1984 Olympic Gold Medalist, David Larson.
8. Jaycee Stadium. In 1959, this gridiron was the home turf of two state champions—the Jesup Yellow Jackets and the Wayne County Training School Tigers. Len Hauss was the first among many to join the NFL. Now, Tre Jackson and Ty McGill are going pro.
9. Pearce’s Furniture. The late Doug Daniel turned Odum into the furniture-buying capital of Southeast Georgia. For decades, throngs drove from all over to haul away couches and dinettes. His computer-like recall of where he had inventory stored—all over town—was as legendary as his prices.
