WWALS Watershed Coalition

WWALS Watershed Coalition, Inc. (WWALS) is Suwannee RIVERKEEPER® WWALS advocates for conservation and stewardship of the surface waters and groundwater of the Suwannee River Basin and Estuary, in south Georgia and north Florida, among them the Withlacoochee, Willacoochee, Alapaha, Little, Santa Fe, and Suwannee River watersheds, through education, awareness, environmental monitoring, and citizen activities.

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Troupville, GA 1889-01-29 [Up]

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Pictures

M

[Withlacoochee River labeled Suwanee R. in 1823 Irwin and 1834 Lowndes County maps; current WWALS Withlacoochee and Little River Water Trail map]
Withlacoochee River labeled Suwanee R. in 1823 Irwin and 1834 Lowndes County maps; current WWALS Withlacoochee and Little River Water Trail map

IrwinCo

[Irwin County, 1885a, GeorgiaInfo, Rand McNally Map of Georgia, 1885]
Irwin County, 1885a, GeorgiaInfo, Rand McNally Map of Georgia, 1885

[Irwin County, 1885b, GeorgiaInfo, Source: George Cram Railroad and County Map of Georgia, 1885, on which Peckville is labeled “Peck” and the river is “Little River”. Eastwards the “Allapaha River” and “Willocoochee Cr.” are labeled.]
Irwin County, 1885b, GeorgiaInfo, Source: George Cram Railroad and County Map of Georgia, 1885, on which Peckville is labeled “Peck” and the river is “Little River”. Eastwards the “Allapaha River” and “Willocoochee Cr.” are labeled.

WilcoxCo

[Wilcox County, 1885, GeorgiaInfo, Source: George Cram Railroad and County Map of Georgia, 1885; maybe the article is referring to Hat Creek or Sandy Creek: the Alapaha itself starts quite a bit north of the origin of the Little River.]
Wilcox County, 1885, GeorgiaInfo, Source: George Cram Railroad and County Map of Georgia, 1885; maybe the article is referring to Hat Creek or Sandy Creek: the Alapaha itself starts quite a bit north of the origin of the Little River.

WLRWTMap

[Map of the Withlacoochee and Little River Water Trail (WLRWT), on which you can see the New River arising south north of Tifton, joining the Withlacoochee, joined by the Little River, and ending up in the Suwannee. 2023-12-28]
Map of the Withlacoochee and Little River Water Trail (WLRWT), on which you can see the New River arising south north of Tifton, joining the Withlacoochee, joined by the Little River, and ending up in the Suwannee. 2023-12-28

WorthCo

[Worth County, 1885a, GeorgiaInfo, George Cram Railroad and County Map of Georgia, 1885, showing Ty Ty Creek and Indian Creek.]
Worth County, 1885a, GeorgiaInfo, George Cram Railroad and County Map of Georgia, 1885, showing Ty Ty Creek and Indian Creek.

[Irwin County, 1823, GeorgiaInfo, Source: Map of Georgia and Alabama by H.S. Tanner, 1823. This map before the creation of Lowndes County shows what might be Franks Creek flowing into the Little River, which is labeled “Suwanee R.”, with part farther upstream labeled “Alacoochee R.” Okapilco Creek is labeled “Withlacuchee R.” with a western offshoot labeled “Ocapilca Cr.” Eastwards Grand Bay Creek is labeled “Irwin’s River” before it joins with Mud Creek (correctly labeled “Mud Cr.”) and the river they then join is labeled way upstream “Alapapaha R.”]
Irwin County, 1823, GeorgiaInfo, Source: Map of Georgia and Alabama by H.S. Tanner, 1823. This map before the creation of Lowndes County shows what might be Franks Creek flowing into the Little River, which is labeled “Suwanee R.”, with part farther upstream labeled “Alacoochee R.” Okapilco Creek is labeled “Withlacuchee R.” with a western offshoot labeled “Ocapilca Cr.” Eastwards Grand Bay Creek is labeled “Irwin’s River” before it joins with Mud Creek (correctly labeled “Mud Cr.”) and the river they then join is labeled way upstream “Alapapaha R.”

Loco

[Lowndes County, 1830, GeorgiaInfo. This earliest map of Lowndes County shows Franklinville, and Okapilco Creek marked as “Withlockoochee R.”, shortly after the creation of Lowndes County from Irwin County. Old Coffee Road is shown coming up from Tallahassee through Thomasville and onwards northeast through Lowndes into Irwin County.]
Lowndes County, 1830, GeorgiaInfo. This earliest map of Lowndes County shows Franklinville, and Okapilco Creek marked as “Withlockoochee R.”, shortly after the creation of Lowndes County from Irwin County. Old Coffee Road is shown coming up from Tallahassee through Thomasville and onwards northeast through Lowndes into Irwin County.

[Lowndes County, 1834, GeorgiaInfo, with something marked as “Ocopilca Cr.” that joins the Little River, which is marked as “Withlacuchee R.”, and Franklinville on the Withlacoochee River marked as “Su-wa-nee R.” and “Beaufort F.” shown just south of the state line. Apparently Franklinville Road from Thomasville through Franklinville to “Waresboro” in Ware County was the oldest road through Lowndes County after Coffee Road. Also apparently Hutchinson’s Mill Creek and Cat Creek ran into Grand Bay Creek back then, on to the Alapahoochee and the Alapaha. The “Okifinoke Swamp” was considered to extend way west, almost to the Alapaha. “Micco T.” is shown in Hamilton County, Florida, with a “Projected Canal” come south of the swamp towards it.]
Lowndes County, 1834, GeorgiaInfo, with something marked as “Ocopilca Cr.” that joins the Little River, which is marked as “Withlacuchee R.”, and Franklinville on the Withlacoochee River marked as “Su-wa-nee R.” and “Beaufort F.” shown just south of the state line. Apparently Franklinville Road from Thomasville through Franklinville to “Waresboro” in Ware County was the oldest road through Lowndes County after Coffee Road. Also apparently Hutchinson’s Mill Creek and Cat Creek ran into Grand Bay Creek back then, on to the Alapahoochee and the Alapaha. The “Okifinoke Swamp” was considered to extend way west, almost to the Alapaha. “Micco T.” is shown in Hamilton County, Florida, with a “Projected Canal” come south of the swamp towards it.

Hamco

[Hamilton County, 1832, I.T. Hinton & Simpkin & Marshall Map, Map Credit: Courtesy of the Special Collections Department, University of South Florida. Digitization provided by the USF Libraries Digitization Center. The upper Suwannee back then was known as the Little Suwanee River, and the only settlement shown in Hamilton County, Florida, was “Micco Tn.” on the (unlabeled) Alapaha River.]
Hamilton County, 1832, I.T. Hinton & Simpkin & Marshall Map, Map Credit: Courtesy of the Special Collections Department, University of South Florida. Digitization provided by the USF Libraries Digitization Center. The upper Suwannee back then was known as the Little Suwanee River, and the only settlement shown in Hamilton County, Florida, was “Micco Tn.” on the (unlabeled) Alapaha River.

Madco

[Madison County, 1832, I.T. Hinton & Simpkin & Marshall Map, Map Credit: Courtesy of the Special Collections Department, University of South Florida. Digitization provided by the USF Libraries Digitization Center. Madison County extended all the way to the Gulf back then, and the lower Suwannee was called “Suwanee R.”]
Madison County, 1832, I.T. Hinton & Simpkin & Marshall Map, Map Credit: Courtesy of the Special Collections Department, University of South Florida. Digitization provided by the USF Libraries Digitization Center. Madison County extended all the way to the Gulf back then, and the lower Suwannee was called “Suwanee R.”

[Madison County, 1834, Hand colored map of Florida published in 1834 with inserts of Mobile Bay, Perdido and Pensacola Bays, and Espirito Santo Bay (including Tampa and Hillsboro Bays). Map Credit: Courtesy of the Special Collections Department, University of South Florida. Digitization provided by the USF Libraries Digitization Center. Well, whoever made this map was very confused, with “Sawaney R” way to the west (maybe labeling the Fenholloway River) and the Suwannee itself labeled “R. Amasura”.]
Madison County, 1834, Hand colored map of Florida published in 1834 with inserts of Mobile Bay, Perdido and Pensacola Bays, and Espirito Santo Bay (including Tampa and Hillsboro Bays). Map Credit: Courtesy of the Special Collections Department, University of South Florida. Digitization provided by the USF Libraries Digitization Center. Well, whoever made this map was very confused, with “Sawaney R” way to the west (maybe labeling the Fenholloway River) and the Suwannee itself labeled “R. Amasura”.

Loco2

[Lowndes County, 1839, GeorgiaInfo, GeorgiaInfo, “Map of Georgia & Alabama exhibiting the post offices, post roads, canals, rail roads & c. By David H. Burr. (Late topographer to the Post Office.) Geographer to the House of Representatives of the U.S.” From his The American Atlas (London, J. Arrowsmith, 1839) . Franklinville appears on an unnamed river, the Little River is marked as “Sawannee R.” with a town called “Magnes” on it, Okapilco Creek is marked as “Withieckochee R.” (or something like that), and some tributary of it is marked “Ocopilco Cr.” I’m proud to see Tom’s Branch, which runs through my property, is clearly drawn, albeit unnamed, with its confluence just south of Franklinville Road. A road south from Franklinville goes to “Townsend” in Madison County, Florida, and on a road east of that there’s a “Rossiter’s Ferry” on the Withlacoochee in Hamilton County. Also, Grand Bay Creek is marked “Irwins R.”, flowing into the “Allapahaw R.”]
Lowndes County, 1839, GeorgiaInfo, GeorgiaInfo, “Map of Georgia & Alabama exhibiting the post offices, post roads, canals, rail roads & c. By David H. Burr. (Late topographer to the Post Office.) Geographer to the House of Representatives of the U.S.” From his The American Atlas (London, J. Arrowsmith, 1839) . Franklinville appears on an unnamed river, the Little River is marked as “Sawannee R.” with a town called “Magnes” on it, Okapilco Creek is marked as “Withieckochee R.” (or something like that), and some tributary of it is marked “Ocopilco Cr.” I’m proud to see Tom’s Branch, which runs through my property, is clearly drawn, albeit unnamed, with its confluence just south of Franklinville Road. A road south from Franklinville goes to “Townsend” in Madison County, Florida, and on a road east of that there’s a “Rossiter’s Ferry” on the Withlacoochee in Hamilton County. Also, Grand Bay Creek is marked “Irwins R.”, flowing into the “Allapahaw R.”

Madco2

[Madison County, 1839, Map of Florida that was, “Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1839 by H. S. Tanner in the clerks office of the eastern district of Pennsylvania.” Map Credit: Courtesy of the Special Collections Department, University of South Florida. Digitization provided by the USF Libraries Digitization Center. “Rossiter’s” is shown, along with Jasper in Hamilton County and “Mineral Spring” on the “Suwanee R.” in Columbia County, where today’s Suwannee County would be, and across the river from today’s White Springs. The “Fenaholoway R.” is labeled.]
Madison County, 1839, Map of Florida that was, “Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1839 by H. S. Tanner in the clerks office of the eastern district of Pennsylvania.” Map Credit: Courtesy of the Special Collections Department, University of South Florida. Digitization provided by the USF Libraries Digitization Center. “Rossiter’s” is shown, along with Jasper in Hamilton County and “Mineral Spring” on the “Suwanee R.” in Columbia County, where today’s Suwannee County would be, and across the river from today’s White Springs. The “Fenaholoway R.” is labeled.

Loco3

[Lowndes County, 1846, GeorgiaInfo, with “Troupsville” on the Little River marked as “Suwanee R.”, with Okapilco Creek marked as “Withlacuchee R.” and some other creek marked as “Ocopilca Cr.” The “Okefinoke Swamp” has changed spelling slightly, but still extends almost west to the Alapaha River.]
Lowndes County, 1846, GeorgiaInfo, with “Troupsville” on the Little River marked as “Suwanee R.”, with Okapilco Creek marked as “Withlacuchee R.” and some other creek marked as “Ocopilca Cr.” The “Okefinoke Swamp” has changed spelling slightly, but still extends almost west to the Alapaha River.

[Lowndes County, 1855, GeorgiaInfo, with Troupville on (the wrong bank of) the “Withloocoochee R.”, which towards the state line is marked with an extra “ch” as “Withlochoochee”. Okapilco Creek is marked “Ocopilco R.”, and the Little River is not named. The towns of Hahira, Morven, Ocopilco (apparently where Quitman would be), Clyattville, Ocean Pond, Cherry Lake, and Belleville have appeared, along with now-forgotten ones such as Ava, Tallokas, Grooverville, and Piscola. Also, the Alapahoochee River is marked “Irwins Cr.”, and the town of Allapaha has appeared upstream, or is that Ray City?]
Lowndes County, 1855, GeorgiaInfo, with Troupville on (the wrong bank of) the “Withloocoochee R.”, which towards the state line is marked with an extra “ch” as “Withlochoochee”. Okapilco Creek is marked “Ocopilco R.”, and the Little River is not named. The towns of Hahira, Morven, Ocopilco (apparently where Quitman would be), Clyattville, Ocean Pond, Cherry Lake, and Belleville have appeared, along with now-forgotten ones such as Ava, Tallokas, Grooverville, and Piscola. Also, the Alapahoochee River is marked “Irwins Cr.”, and the town of Allapaha has appeared upstream, or is that Ray City?

Tville

[Map of Troupville, GA adapted from C.S. Morgan, in Ray City History Blog, 9 February 2014, Map of Old Troupville, GA with Notes on the Residents.]
Map of Troupville, GA adapted from C.S. Morgan

[Sketch of Old Troupville, GA by C.S. Morgan, in Ray City History Blog, 9 February 2014, Map of Old Troupville, GA with Notes on the Residents.]
Sketch of Old Troupville, GA by C.S. Morgan

[Site of Troupville at the confluence of the Little and Withlacoochee Rivers, Lowndes County parcel 0057 003, Between the Rivers LLC]
Site of Troupville at the confluence of the Little and Withlacoochee Rivers, Lowndes County parcel 0057 003, Between the Rivers LLC

[Which way?, 10:44:42,, River Bend Shoals 30.6672100, -83.3870100 in Cleanup and outing, Nankin, Mcintyre and Arnold Springs, Mozell Spells, Withlacoochee River 2017-10-14. I kind of doubt they got any farther than the Withlacoochee Confluence with the Suwannee River at Ellaville (although Ellaville itself doesn’t seem to show up until 1857). Cedar Key is a very far stretch of the imagination]
Which way?, 10:44:42,, River Bend Shoals in Cleanup and outing, Nankin, Mcintyre and Arnold Springs, Mozell Spells, Withlacoochee River 2017-10-14. I kind of doubt they got any farther than the Withlacoochee Confluence with the Suwannee River at Ellaville (although Ellaville itself doesn’t seem to show up until 1857). Cedar Key is a very far stretch of the imagination 30.6672100, -83.3870100

Madco3

[Madison County, 1856, Surveyor Map from 1856. Map Credit: Courtesy of the private collection of Roy Winkelman. A town labeled “Columbus” is at the future site of Ellaville, and Madison has appeared. The Withlacoochee is labeled “Swithlacoochee R.” Or maybe they only made it to Belleville.]
Madison County, 1856, Surveyor Map from 1856. Map Credit: Courtesy of the private collection of Roy Winkelman. A town labeled “Columbus” is at the future site of Ellaville, and Madison has appeared. The Withlacoochee is labeled “Swithlacoochee R.” Or maybe they only made it to Belleville.

[White water, 13:58:34,, Back to Georgia Shoal 30.6345700, -83.3417800 in Cleanup and outing, Nankin, Mcintyre and Arnold Springs, Mozell Spells, Withlacoochee River 2017-10-14.]
White water, 13:58:34,, Back to Georgia Shoal in Cleanup and outing, Nankin, Mcintyre and Arnold Springs, Mozell Spells, Withlacoochee River 2017-10-14. 30.6345700, -83.3417800

Loco4

[Lowndes County, 1863, GeorgiaInfo, with Troupville still marked, but Valdosta, Quitman, and Naylor have have appeared along with the railroad. The “Withlochochee” River is marked, as is the “Ocapilco R.” On the “Allapaha R.”, Milltown, Statenville, and Troublesome have appeared.]
Lowndes County, 1863, GeorgiaInfo, with Troupville still marked, but Valdosta, Quitman, and Naylor have have appeared along with the railroad. The “Withlochochee” River is marked, as is the “Ocapilco R.” On the “Allapaha R.”, Milltown, Statenville, and Troublesome have appeared.

[Lowndes County, 1864, GeorgiaInfo, with most of the current river names: “Withlocoochee Riv.”, “Little River”, “Ocopilco Cr.” Troupville is still marked as substantial, but Valdosta is on the railroad. And “Irwin’s Cr.” sstill appears instead of Alapahoochee River, with an old spelling of where it goes: “Allapaha R.”]
Lowndes County, 1864, GeorgiaInfo, with most of the current river names: “Withlocoochee Riv.”, “Little River”, “Ocopilco Cr.” Troupville is still marked as substantial, but Valdosta is on the railroad. And “Irwin’s Cr.” sstill appears instead of Alapahoochee River, with an old spelling of where it goes: “Allapaha R.”

[Lowndes County Area, 1864, GeorgiaInfo, U.S. Coast Survey Map, Northern Part of Florida, 1864, doesn’t show Valdosta or Statenville, but still shows Troupville, Belleville, and “Clyatville”, plus “Troublesome P.O.”. on the Alapaha.]
Lowndes County Area, 1864, GeorgiaInfo, U.S. Coast Survey Map, Northern Part of Florida, 1864, doesn’t show Valdosta or Statenville, but still shows Troupville, Belleville, and “Clyatville”, plus “Troublesome P.O.”. on the Alapaha.

[Portion of Lowndes County Area, 1865, GeorgiaInfo, U.S. Coast Survey Map, Southern Georgia and Part of South Carolina, 1865 uses the current river names, but never heard of Valdosta or Statenville, and Troupville is still there, with the railroad bypassing it, yet “Waldo Sta.” on the railroad due south of Troupville. On the ALapaha, the railroad crosses on “Carter’s Bridge”.]
Portion of Lowndes County Area, 1865, GeorgiaInfo, U.S. Coast Survey Map, Southern Georgia and Part of South Carolina, 1865 uses the current river names, but never heard of Valdosta or Statenville, and Troupville is still there, with the railroad bypassing it, yet “Waldo Sta.” on the railroad due south of Troupville. On the ALapaha, the railroad crosses on “Carter’s Bridge”.

[Lowndes County, 1874, GeorgiaInfo, Source: Augustus Mitchell Map of Georgia and Alabama, 1874 has “Owsley”, Valdosta, Naylor, Stockton, and Statenville, and still has Troupville.]
Lowndes County, 1874, GeorgiaInfo, Source: Augustus Mitchell Map of Georgia and Alabama, 1874 has “Owsley”, Valdosta, Naylor, Stockton, and Statenville, and still has Troupville.

[Lowndes County, 1883, GeorgiaInfo, George Cram Map of Georgia, 1883, finally drops Troupville, and has Hahira, a town named “Cat Creek”, Milltown (Lakeland), Naylor, Stockton, and Statenville, with Grand Bay flowing into the Alapahoochee River marked “Withlocoochee River”, yet the Withlacoochee is marked “Withcacochee River”.]
Lowndes County, 1883, GeorgiaInfo, George Cram Map of Georgia, 1883, finally drops Troupville, and has Hahira, a town named “Cat Creek”, Milltown (Lakeland), Naylor, Stockton, and Statenville, with Grand Bay flowing into the Alapahoochee River marked “Withlocoochee River”, yet the Withlacoochee is marked “Withcacochee River”.

[Lowndes County, 1885a, Source: Rand McNally Map of Georgia, 1885, with the “Withcacoochee Riv.” No Troupville.]
Lowndes County, 1885a, Source: Rand McNally Map of Georgia, 1885, with the “Withcacoochee Riv.” No Troupville.

[Lowndes County, 1885b, Source: George Cram Railroad and County Map of Georgia, 1885, with the “Withcacoochee” River and the Alapahoochee River labeled “Withlocoochee River”. Quitman, Ousley, Valdosta, Haines, Delmar, and Stockton all on the railroad, but no Troupville.]
Lowndes County, 1885b, Source: George Cram Railroad and County Map of Georgia, 1885, with the “Withcacoochee” River and the Alapahoochee River labeled “Withlocoochee River”. Quitman, Ousley, Valdosta, Haines, Delmar, and Stockton all on the railroad, but no Troupville.

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