Loading map...

2020 Map of Hortense

Name: 2020 Topographic Map of Hortense
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2020
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2020

About this map

The Satilla River and its intricate network of reaches and oxbows dominate this portion of Brantley County, Georgia. The landscape is defined by the winding paths of the river and the Little Satilla River, creating a complex wetland environment that includes Indian Swamp and numerous named water bodies like Pollys Lake and Dreading Lake. These waterways have historically shaped the settlement patterns of the region, as seen in the small communities of Hortense, Trudie, and Raybon that are scattered along the higher ground and major road corridors.

Genealogists and local historians can trace family locations through several preserved sites, including Satilla Cem, Baxter Cem, and Lewis Cem. Notable geographic markers such as Baxter Bluff and Strickland Bluff overlook the river valley, while man-made landmarks like the Humpback Bridge provide evidence of early infrastructure designed to navigate this swampy terrain. The map captures the quiet, rural character of the Georgia coastal plain, where timber roads and local routes like Old Highway Rd connect long-established crossroads settlements.