Rediscovering Parkertown: A Vanished Industrial Community in Northeast Georgia
- Mid-Lake Dock and Hardscape
- Apr 18
- 4 min read
Parkertown's Echoes: Industry, Innovation, and the Waters of Time
Nestled in the rolling hills near present-day Lavonia, in Hart County, Georgia, the story of Parkertown whispers through the landscape and the waters of Big Shoal Creek. Founded in the early 19th century, this once-vibrant community thrived along the creek's banks, a testament to early southern ingenuity. While much of its physical presence now rests beneath the surface of Lake Hartwell, Parkertown's legacy as a hub of early industry endures.
The Rise of a Water-Powered Settlement
In 1832, Joseph A. Parker, a Virginian who had made Georgia his home, recognized the industrial potential of Big Shoal Creek. Drawn to its power, he established Parkertown, a modest settlement driven by water—a crucial energy source in a pre-electricity era.
Harnessing the Creek's Energy
Parkertown quickly blossomed into a significant local manufacturing center, its growth fueled by the creek's flow. Early enterprises included a pioneering woolen mill, transforming raw fleece into fabric and yarn, showcasing nascent southern textile capabilities. Water-powered gristmills efficiently ground corn and wheat, providing essential sustenance for surrounding farms. Additionally, a cotton gin and threshing equipment streamlined harvests for local farmers. This synergy of agriculture and water-driven industry fostered a self-sufficient local economy, positioning Parkertown as a vital contributor to the wider region.
Community, Commerce, and Communication
By 1837, Parkertown's growing regional importance was marked by the establishment of a post office named "Parker's Store." Operating until 1906, this post office served as an anchor for both commerce and communication within the settlement.
Another essential part of Parkertown’s infrastructure was its ferry crossing over Big Shoal Creek. Before bridges, the ferry provided a critical link for moving people, wagons, and goods between the settlement and surrounding areas. It supported local industry by connecting mills to nearby farms and trade routes, quietly playing a key role in Parkertown’s growth.
Learning in the Heart of the Community
As the Parkertown area evolved, so did its educational institutions. In 1924, the Shoal Creek Consolidated School was established to meet the needs of a growing rural population. Completed in 1925, the sturdy brick building replaced several smaller schools in the area, including those at Thomasville, Old Shoal Creek, and Parkertown, drawing students from surrounding communities like Viola and Rock Springs. It served grades one through nine and offered more than just basic academics—students participated in drama, sports, agriculture, and home economics programs, supported by on-site facilities like an auditorium, workshop, and cannery. A nearby teacherage provided housing for faculty, creating a tight-knit learning environment. Although the original building was lost to fire in 1951 and the school closed in 1956, the legacy of education continues: the site now houses a local fire station, still serving the community in a new capacity.
Though Shoal Creek was not strictly within the historic bounds of Parkertown, it was closely connected—both geographically and culturally. Shoal Creek and Parkertown shared schools, churches, and community events, and together they formed a strong network of rural life centered around Big Shoal Creek. The school’s location and service to families from Parkertown highlight the interconnectedness of these neighboring communities.
The Tide Turns: Decline and Submergence
As industrial advancements ushered in larger factories and burgeoning urban centers, smaller towns like Parkertown faced increasing competition. The decisive moment came in the mid-20th century with the construction of Hartwell Dam. Between 1955 and 1962, the filling of the reservoir led to the creation of Lake Hartwell, submerging significant portions of Big Shoal Creek's floodplain, including the heart of historic Parkertown. Today, a historical marker near the lake stands as a poignant tribute to the vanished town and its pioneering inhabitants.
Shoal Creek's Enduring Spirit of Resourcefulness
The spirit of innovation in the Shoal Creek area persisted long after Parkertown's decline. In 1961, the Shoal Creek Country Music Park emerged as a cultural and recreational hub. Demonstrating a resourceful approach to local infrastructure, the park utilized a spring-fed system and underground cisterns for its water needs, supplying restrooms, campsites, and food stands. For extensive information on the Shoal Creek Country Music Park, check out Gypsy Farm Network's fantastic article “Shoal Creek Country Music Park: A Forgotten History.” Read it at https://gypsyfarm.net/2020/02/28/shoal-creek-country-music-park-a-forgotten-history/
Adding a visual echo of the past is a small water tower located on Shoal Creek Church Road. Based on its tall, narrow design on stilts, constructed with a riveted or welded steel tank, and featuring a ladder and access hatch, this is a traditional elevated water storage tank. This type of structure, often dating from the early to mid-20th century, was likely built to supply water pressure for a small community, farm, or facility, supplying water for daily use. Though its exact origins seem to be unknown, the tower endures as a quiet witness to time, its story hidden in rust and shadow, maybe never to be revealed.
A Landscape of Memory
Nearby, the Shoal Creek Cemetery offers a tangible and enduring link to the past. With gravestones spanning generations, it serves as a quiet testament to the families and workers who once shaped the community. Visitors are drawn to the area, fishing from the bridge, exploring geocaches nearby nestled in the woods, or simply contemplating the stories held beneath the lake's surface. Though the physical town has vanished, the resourceful spirit of Parkertown and the ingenuity of the Shoal Creek area needs to be recognized.
"Please remember to respect private property while exploring historical sites—always seek permission when necessary, and leave the area as you found it to preserve its story for future visitors.
Sources
Allen D. Candler and Clement A. Evans. Georgia: Sketches of Counties, Towns, Events, Institutions, and Persons. State Historical Association, 1906.
Concert Archives. “Shoal Creek Country Music Park.” https://www.concertarchives.org/venues/shoal-creek-country-music-park
Find A Grave. “Shoal Creek Cemetery.” https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/36989/shoal-creek-baptist-church-cemetery
Georgia Historical Marker: Parkertown. Georgia Historical Society. https://www.georgiahistory.com/ghmi_marker_updated/parkertown-1832/
Gypsy Farm Network. “Shoal Creek Country Music Park: A Forgotten History.” https://gypsyfarm.net/2020/02/28/shoal-creek-country-music-park-a-forgotten-history/
Historical Marker Database. “Shoal Creek Consolidated School.” https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=45183