High Falls Information
In The early 1800�s, High Falls Park was a prosperous industrial town containing several stores, a grist mill, cotton gin, blacksmith shop, shoe factory and hotel. It became a ghost town in the 1880�s when a major railroad bypassed it. With it�s historic and natural beauty, High Falls is a good place to spend nights camping and days fishing, swimming and taking life easy.
The story of Indian Springs State Park involves a famous medicinal spring, an illegal treaty that dispossessed the Creek Indians of their Georgia lands, murder of an Indian chief and the growth and decline of a famous resort. White men traveled the Oakfuskee Path to this area to trade in the late 1700�s. Stories of the healing waters of Indian Springs spread from the Creek Nation all across the southeast. By 1820, hundreds of whites and Indians were coming to Indian Springs to drink and bathe in the well-known water. Inns, rental cabins called �tents� and permanent homes grew into a resort community. In 1821, 1000 acres around the spring were reserved for Creek Indian Chief William McIntosh. William McIntosh was born in 1778 at Cusseta. His father was Captain William McIntosh, a Scotsman in the British Army, and his mother was a full-blooded Creek. Chief McIntosh led a minority group from only eight of the 56 Creek towns in signing the Treaty of Indian Springs of 1825. This treaty ceded southwestern Georgia for an acre-for-acre exchange for land west of the Mississippi River plus $400,000. Of this money, McIntosh was provided $25,000 for his 1000 acres at Indian Springs and 640 acre �McIntosh Reserve� in current Carroll County. Because the Creeks had agreed not to sell any more land and the belief that McIntosh had been bribed, a group of Creeks decided to kill him; later several others involved in the fraudulent treaty were killed. A treaty was later signed and in 1828 the �Indian Springs Reserve� was sold at a public auction. On this land the town of Indian Springs grew and many famous resorts flourished. The first was the Indian Springs Hotel (built 1823). These hotels featured dancing, card playing, (especially whist), bowling, extensive libraries for guests, picnics, barbecues, political rallies, dress balls, backgammon, chess, and enjoyment of the fine art of southern cooking. An extensive state park system in Georgia was not developed until 1926, but the mineral spring has been open to the public since 1825, giving rise to the belief that it is the oldest state park in the nation.
Dauset Trails Nature Center was conceived with the idea of preserving some of our natural terrain along with it�s wildlife in the hope that they would be of interest to coming generations. The nature center consists of 1,000 acres of forest, fields, streams and two lakes interwoven with some six miles of open hiking and nature study trails. A variety of environmental education programs are available. Dauset Trails encourages a �hands on� study program where nature can be experienced by young and old and yield a positive outdoor learning experience.
In the 1840�s, John Fitz Jarrell built the first dwelling on the land where The Jarrell Plantation stands. Despite wars, economic depression, natural catastrophes and boll weevils, the family remained on the land of �Red Hill and Stones� for more than 100 years. Distinctively colored with age, the original dwelling and 20 other structures still stand. Inside the 1847 house, visitors can view original looms, a quilting frame, cobblers bench, wood burning stove and most of the original furnishings. Annual special events include: Seasonal farm activities, 4th of July celebrations, Labor Day on the farm, Christmas Candlelight Tours, Storytelling and Family Farm Days.
The third house built on the property called the 1920's house is still privately owned and is now operated as a Bed And Breakfast.
The Department Of Natural Resources operates this 650 acre State Park lake located north of Forsyth just off I-75. Public access is provided by two boat ramps, one at the park office near the dam and one in Buck Creek. The lake is open to fishing during daylight hours only and the operation of outboard motors greater than 10 horsepower is prohibited. Boats with outboard motors greater than 10 horsepower may be used, but the outboard motor must not be operated. Crappie and bream are the species targeted by most anglers on this lake and account for over 80% of the total harvest.
Typically, crappie are abundant at High Falls, but tend to run smaller than on other area lakes. The average size should be 6-8 inches. However, nice crappie weighing 1-1� lbs are out there for the persistent angler. The chances of catching big crappie are greater early in the spring before their numbers diminish from heavy fishing pressure. Trolling small jigs around drop-offs, points, and creek channels is very effective in winter and early spring. Minnows and jigs fished in shallow water near brush, stumps, or blowdowns will be more effective once water temperatures reach 60 degrees in spring.
Bream populations often provide ample catches of bluegill and redear sunfish (shellcracker). The size range for harvested bluegill is 5-7 inches. Shellcrackers of 7-9 inches are the most common size, with occasional fish exceeding 10-12 inches.
The largemouth bass number has been stable for several years and the average weight across all sizes is over 1 lb. The relative abundance of large bass (15-25 inches) is ranked near the top among major reservoirs within the state. In 1999, 31% were larger than 15 inches. Try crankbaits and jigs in Buck Creek and Watkin's bottom during spring and fall for big fish. Point bars and downed trees in the water are good spots to key in on. Relatively low bass fishing pressure and high numbers of large fish should result in some very good bass fishing for those who try their luck at High Falls.
Catfish consist primarily of channel catfish and bullhead catfish, with fewer numbers of flathead catfish. The average size channel catfish is 2-3 lbs, but fish exceeding 5 lbs are fairly abundant. Trophy size flathead catfish of 20 lbs or greater are available. The former state record flathead (53� lbs) was caught on High Falls in 1993. Try fishing deep holes and channel bends in the lower end of the lake for flatheads and channel cats.
Hybrid bass have been successfully stocked for several years. Anglers targeting these fish should be rewarded with catches that average 2-3 lbs. Hybrids from 5-10 lbs are common, and some 10 lbs and better fish are also available. The lake record hybrid weighing 13.9 lbs was caught in January 1995. Several other hybrids over 12 lbs have also been caught. White bass are in the lake and are usually associated with the hybrids. Catches up to 2-3 lbs for dedicated white bass anglers are likely. High Falls is a 'sleeping giant' for hybrid and white bass. This is practically an untapped fishery that has the potential to yield some excellent catches in number and size. One suggestion for hooking up with white bass is to fish the upper reaches of the lake and into the Towaliga River during the March and April spawning runs. Another proven method is working spoons and grub baits just above the dam during winter and early spring. Drift fishing with live or cut shad can produce big hybrids and catfish.
For more information regarding fishing opportunities and park facilities, contact the High Falls State Park office (912-993-3053).
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Directional Map To High Falls, Indian Springs, Dauset Nature Center & Jarrell Plantation
Jackson, GA 30233
Annual Events: Pricing:(subject to change) Hours: � � � Pictures: � � � 1 -
8 0 0 - 8 6 4 - 7 2 7 5 770/389-7275 in Metro Atlanta
(912) 993-3053
Facilities:
Activities:
Make Reservations:
Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Indian Springs State Park
(770) 504-2277
Facilities & Activities: Showers. Electric Hook-ups. Shelters. One group shelter; 10 cottages. Tent Sites (90 tent sites). Camping. Swimming. Boating. Fishing. 105 acre lake, pedal boating, miniature golf. Group camp with four dorms and three counselor cottages, a craft building and dining hall can accomodate 130 people.
Main Attraction: Dauset Interpretative Nature Center offes animal programs with free admission.
Nearby Attractions: High Falls State Park is nearby.
Special Events: Pioneer Days relives history every June.
Charges: Flat Rate. $2 parking fee; 2 bedroom cottages are $75 for the weekend.
Hours: 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily
Jarrell
Plantation
State Historic Site
Location
Located southeast of Juliette, Georgia, 18 miles from I-75's
Forsyth exit #185 or 18 miles north of Macon exit #171.
Driving Directions
From Forsyth, follow GA-18 east for 15 miles. After crossing the
Ocmulgee River, turn left onto Jarrell Plantation Road. The
historic site is three miles on the left.
From Macon, follow GA-87 north for 13 miles. Turn right on GA-18. After crossing the Ocmulgee River, turn left onto Jarrell Plantation Road. The historic site is three miles on the left.
Admission (subject to change)
$3.50 for adults except $3.00 for seniors (age 62 and over)
$2.00 per youth 6-18 years
Free for children 5 and under
Group Rates are available if contacted in advance
Hours of Operation
Tuesday - Saturday, 9:00am - 5:00pm
Sunday, 2:00pm - 5:30pm
Closed Mondays (except on Legal Holidays), Thanksgiving,
Christmas, and New Years. If open on Monday due to holiday,
closed the following Tuesday.
Contact Us
478-986-5172
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