Walking Travels - Hofwyl-Broadfield Plantation, Brunswick, Georgia

Being from the south I've always know that cotton was a major crop and a staple of many Southern plantations before the Civil war. Even today cotton fields are abundant along the highways as you travel the roads in Georgia. I was very surprised to learn that another crop was grown in the low country of the south and that was rice. It shouldn't be a surprise considering how low and wet landscape of the coastal areas of Georgia and South Carolina. 

Recently we took a weekend trip to south Georgia and visited a place where rice once was the main crop produced. Hofwyl-Broadfield Plantation is a Georgia State Historic site located between Brunswick and Darien on US Highway 17. The plantation is located on the south bank of the Altamaha River. 

The historic site is a wonderful place to walk. Huge old oak trees are abundant and offer not only beauty but a welcome shady spot to walk. 

Beware! When you're so close to the river and marsh areas you may encounter yellow flies. If you've never seen one they are BIG and yellow and they bite!

Unfortunately the yellow flies were out in full force. We'd left the insect spray in the car but I had one travel size OFF wipe that Nancy and I divided which helped but you couldn't stop for too long so it was a pretty quick walk!

The plantation remained in the same family from 1804 until 1973 when the final survivor, Ophelia Troup Dent, died. Ophelia left the home and surrounding land to the Georgia Historical Commission.

We took a guided toured the home. It is a lovely example of Federal architecture and the house retains much of the original furniture. 

Click here to read the history of Hofwyl-Broadfield Plantation.

5556 U.S. Hwy. 17 NorthBrunswick, GA 31525 

912-264-7333 

Lace up and take a walk into history!