Scenic Byway Designations

Scenic Byway Designations

Scenic Byways are roadways specially designated by the Georgia Department of Transportation that showcase the culture, history, and landscapes of Georgia. While acting as important transportation corridors, Scenic Byways also serve local communities as a venue for preservation, tourism, and economic development. Scenic Byways provide intrinsic qualities to the region in addition to their transportation value.

Historic Piedmont

Historic Piedmont Byway Map The Historic Piedmont Scenic Byway runs through Putnam and Hancock County for a total of 82 miles. The Scenic Byway begins at the intersection of SR 142 with SR 16 in Putnam County and continues east along SR 16 in Putnam through Eatonton, crossing the Oconee River into Hancock County, through Sparta to the Hancock/Warren County line at Jewell. This is farmland, picturesque in the late summer and early fall as hayfields cover the landscape.
There are also northern and southern Scenic Byway sections in Hancock County. The northern section begins in Sparta with SR 15 – the rolling landscape in Hancock is particularly evident in the pasturelands and wooded areas representative of this part of Route 15. The Byway continues heading north to SR 77 and south to SR 16 at Shoulderbone Creek. The Shoulderbone Creek bridge is an attractive old bridge dating from the early 20th century with views of the Millmore gristmill, and the Vinson-Harris-Lovejoy house. Including the SR 16 section, this forms a complete loop from Sparta. The southern section begins in Sparta with the intersection of SR 15/16 and Boland Road, travels south to Brown Chapel Road to the second intersection with Linton Road, then goes towards the Linton Community.

For the most part, the route is rural with some residential and passes through national forests and Wildlife Management Areas (WMA). The rural character blends smoothly and enhances the area’s history, archaeology, natural beauty, and recreational opportunities that serve citizens and tourists well.

Roads Included in the Byway are state routes 15 and 16, Boland Road, Brown Chapel Road and Linton Road.

Ocmulgee-Piedmont

Ocmulgee Piedmont Byway Map The Ocmulgee-Piedmont Scenic Byway begins in downtown Gray on Highway 11. The second scenic environment is the beautiful rural viewshed between the City of Gray and the Bradley community. The route continues north on Highway 11 for approximately nine miles where it passes through the communities of Bradley, Wayside, and Round Oak and then intersects Round Oak-Juliette Road. The route proceeds west for approximately 12 miles along Round-Oak Juliette Road through the Piedmont National Wildlife Refuge to its terminus at the Ocmulgee River.
The Ocmulgee-Piedmont Scenic Byway traverses 200 years of Jones County history as well as the pre-historic and historic sites of the Creek Indians that lived there in the 17th and 18th centuries. What is now SR 11 was formerly an Indian trail and a major north-south route between Hillsboro in Jasper County and Clinton, Jones County’s 19th century county seat. In 1864, during the Civil War, opposing forces met along this road at the Battle of Sunshine Church, and later that year General Sherman followed this route through Jones County on his “March to the Sea.”

The Round Oak-Juliette Road portion of the Byway was originally an Indian trail and now travels through the pristine pine forests of the Piedmont National Wildlife Refuge, which is inhabited by several species of endangered wildlife. East Juliette, the endpoint of the byway, is a small late 19th/early 20th century mill village community located on the Ocmulgee River. The town of Juliette, on the other side of the river, was the setting for the 1991 film Fried Green Tomatoes.

Roads Included in the Byway:

SR 11 from the depot in downtown Gray, north to Round Oak-Juliette Road
Round Oak-Juliette Road from SR 11 west to the Ocmulgee River
Enduring Farmlands Scenic Byway

Middle Georgia’s newest state designated scenic byway is the Enduring Farmlands Scenic Byway. Officially designated by the Georgia Department of Transportation on March 17, 2011, the Enduring Farmlands Scenic Byway Byway’s rich rural character and pastoral landscape consists of abundant natural resources, farm buildings and fields, pastures, orchards, historic towns, churches and houses.

The Enduring Farmlands Scenic Byway Route begins at the Hawkinsville’s historic Old Opera House, located at the corner of Broad and S. Lumpkin Streets. From the Opera House the route travels east for one block on Broad Street/Highway 129, where it turns right onto Highway 129 traveling past historic residences, Mile Branch Park/Pulaski County Boat Landing, and the Hawkinsville Harness Horse Racing Facility.

At the intersection of Highway 233 the byway makes a right and passes the historic Cedar Creek Baptist Church and Cemetery. The route follows Highway 233 until the road ends at the intersection with Highway 112. At the stop sign, go left and following Highway 112 into downtown Rochelle. After driving around historic Rochelle byway travelers have a choice of routes both of which will take travelers through the City of Pineview. If travelers wish to take shorter tour of Pulaski and Wilcox County’s Enduring Farmlands then route Alternative B is available; however, for the most comprehensive tour and to experience one of the most picturesque portions of the route(Cannonville Road) travelers can elect to travel Alternative A, the full route.

Alternative A: Travel east along Highway 280 to the City of Abbeville. At the stoplight intersection of Highway 280 and Highway 129, make a left onto Highway 129 (the Wilcox County Courthouse will be on the right). Travel approximately 4 blocks (< 0.25 mile) and make a left onto Cannonville Road. Follow Cannonville Road (which crossed Highway 233) until it dead ends into Highway 112. Take a right onto Highway 112 for a short ways into Pineview. Alternative B: Follow Highway 112 north out of Rochelle to the City of Pineview. After passing through the City of Pineview, continue approximate 1 mile along Highway 112 and turns right onto Richland Church Road. The route continues along Richland Church Road which ends at Highway 129. The byway route then turns left, traveling north along Highway 129 back to downtown Hawkinsville. This peaceful and scenic route will showcase the historic towns of Hawkinsville, Rochelle, Abbeville, and Pineview, each of which are significant fibers that comprise the historic fabric of both the middle Georgia region and the State of Georgia. The significance of the Pulaski-Wilcox Scenic Byway is to enable users to gain a better understanding of and appreciation for Georgia’s rural small town agricultural heritage and to showcase the efforts these cities have made to protect and maintain their rural lifestyle while working to build a viable future. For more information, please click here.