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Jarrell Plantation

711 Jarrell Plantation Rd., Juliette, Georgia 31046 USA

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Fri 9a-5p

Independent
Outdoor
Seating

“Nestled in the Red Clay Hills”

Nestled in the red clay hills of Georgia, this cotton plantation was owned by a single family for more than 140 years. It survived Gen. Sherman’s “March to the Sea,” typhoid fever, the cotton boll weevil, the advent of steam power and a transition from farming to forestry. In 1847, John Fitz Jarrell built a simple heart pine house typical of most plantations and made many of the furnishings visitors see today. In 1860, the 600-acre plantation was farmed by 39 slaves. After the Civil War, John increased his land to nearly 1,000 acres farmed by former slaves. As John aged, most workers left and the slave houses deteriorated and disappeared. After John’s death, his son, Dick Jarrell, gave up teaching to return to the farm, and in 1895, he built a small house for his family that grew to 12 children. Dick diversified the farm, adding a sawmill, cotton gin, gristmill, shingle mill, planer, sugar cane press, syrup evaporator, workshop, barn and outbuildings. In 1974, his descendants donated these buildings to establish Jarrell Plantation State Historic Site.

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Reviewed by
Lesli Peterson

Blogger
1,213 Reviews
63 Helpful

September 17, 2022

Rated 5.0

Down a sleepy roadway off I-75, past a former movie set, and tucked into the Piedmont National Forest is Jarrell Plantation State Historic Site. The Jarrell family lived and worked here for over 125 years, from 1847 into the 1960s.

It’s not the Hollywood version of a plantation, it’s the real deal, and the 20 original structures show life pre-Civil War, as well as the many changes that happened afterward. It’s a short drive from High Falls State Park which offers camping and hiking trails.

Nestled in the red clay hills of Georgia, this cotton plantation was owned by a single family for more than 140 years. It survived General Sherman’s “March to the Sea,” typhoid fever, the cotton boll weevil, the advent of steam power and a transition from farming to forestry.

The Jarrell story is mostly told from the white family’s side, but Georgia State Park rangers at the park are trying to bring the stories of those who were enslaved and later worked for the Jarrells to life as well. We took a tour with Ranger Derek to learn a bit more about the families and the plantation. He was an enthusiastic host and I encourage you to engage the rangers while you are there, or better yet, visit during one of the carefully crafted special events for more hands-on fun.

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