1918 Map of Hortense

About this map

The Satilla River and Little Satilla River converge in this 1917 military survey, defining a landscape of wetlands and timber-line settlements. The terrain is dominated by the massive Penholoway Bay and Duck Pond Swamp, which dictated the early infrastructure of Southeast Georgia. The Atlantic Coast Line and the Atlantic and Birmingham railroads form the backbone of the region, intersecting at Hortense. This junction and nearby stops like Needmore and McKinnon represent the small-town commercial hubs of the era. Genealogists will find a wealth of specific landmarks, including Mt Zion Church, Smyrna Church, and several rural schools such as the Cypress School and Strickland School. The presence of Rosin Landing along the river highlights the importance of the naval stores industry that once thrived in these pine forests.