Georgia Magazine - June 2010 - (Page 30)

It’s all here! History, sport await in Clarks Hill Lake region BY RANDY SOUTHERLAND W hat you call this 70,000-acre shimmering body of water depends on where you stand. If you’re in South Carolina, it’s J. Strom Thurmond Lake, named for the longserving U.S. senator. But across the Georgia line, we see it differently. Over here, it’s Clarks Hill—the lake’s original name up until 1989. “I go along with whatever the person I’m talking to likes to use,” says Randell Meeks, the amiable assistant park manager at Elijah Clark State Park on its western shore in Lincoln County. Whatever the name, it’s aptly regarded as a sportsman’s paradise. Hardwoods and pine trees cover the lake’s sharply irregular, 1,200mile shoreline. An abundance of islands, created when the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers filled the reservoir in 1954, protrude from its waters, providing homes for plants and wildlife. Fishermen ply the lake year-round angling for crappie, stripers, catfish, white perch and others. While the fishing and boating are great, the region offers far more to the inquisitive traveler. A good place to begin your exploration is the above-mentioned Elijah Clark State Park, named for a frontiersman and Georgia war hero who led pioneers during the Revolutionary War. Cottages and campsites offer overnight accommodations, while you can sun on the beach or cast a line from the fishing pier. You can also see a replica of Clark’s log cabin, displaying everyday items from the 1780s. Nearby, discover living history amid buildings dating from the late 1700s to mid-1800s at the Lincoln County Historical Park in Lincolnton. During Pioneer Day —the third Saturday of November—visitors can see an antique sawmill set up and cutting logs just as it did when 19th-century timbermen transported it from place to place through the forests. Lots of costumed folk roam about, and there’s also a blacksmith hammering iron into useful tools. www.georgiamagazine.org ANDREW WELCH / GEORGIA EMC Highway 378 takes you to Wilkes County and the town of Washington. On its quiet streets are magnificent antebellum homes grouped around a well-preserved town square. If you’re planning to stay overnight, check out the historic and recently renovated Fitzpatrick Hotel. Built in 1898 after a fire destroyed much of the downtown, the Victorian-style building had its ups and downs over the years. Closed in 1953, neglect took its toll before a 2003 restoration. “In those days, Washington was written up as the social equal of Charleston,” says Elaine Filipiak, who conducts local tours as “Miss Fanny.” “In fact, many wealthy people had second homes here.” While in town, fortify yourself at the Washington Jockey Club restaurant. Named for a local men’s sporting club first organized in 1798, its signature dish is Joe Barrett’s Shrimp and Grits. If you love books, movies or fine wine, enjoy all three at Retro Cinema & Books. You can spend hours browsing through a collection of rare books, but don’t stop there. Just past the counter is the cozy, 60-seat theater, which features classic and modern films. A door to the right takes GEORGIA MAGAZINE 30 GA. DEPT. OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT http://www.georgiamagazine.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Georgia Magazine - June 2010

Georgia Magazine - June 2010
Contents
Viewpoint
Mailbox
Picture This?
Georgia News
Calendar
Currents
Special Energy Report
Winning Reader Stories
Honorable Mentions: More Vacation Stories
Georgia on a Budget
Around Georgia
My Georgia
Georgia Gardens
Gardening Tips
Georgia Cooks
Cookbook of the Month
Snapshot

Georgia Magazine - June 2010