Douglas County’s Main Street

The segment of the study area that extends between the Dog River Reservoir to the county line on the north side of Highway 166 is protected by the county’s most stringent watershed protection restrictions. 


The Dog River Watershed Basin is one of several watershed basins protected through Douglas County’s Unified Development Code (UDC). Watershed development restrictions limit things such as land disturbance and impervious surface coverage to as to protect drinking water reservoirs

Natural/ Recreational Qualities

The Dog River Reservoir is not only an important natural resource for Douglas County, but also provides recreational opportunities, including boating and fishing. Though recreational opportunities are limited to ensure that water quality is preserved.  According to the Metro North Georgia Water Planning District, “the Metro Water District relies almost entirely on surface water to meet the needs of the region.  Access to groundwater is negligible, so we must rely on our small rivers and streams for water supply and capture and store rainfall in reservoirs to provide relief in times of drought.”

Developed Areas

The purpose and intent of the Watershed Protection Ordinance of the Unified Development Code underscores the importance of protecting the quality and quantity of the present and future water supply of the County. As a result, much of the land in this segment has had limited development.  Very few major subdivisions have been built in this area.  Development is generally restricted to a 3 acre density or lot size, and impervious surface is limited to 25% of the lot.  Non-residential development is discouraged.

Cultural/ Archaeological Qualities

The Dog River Reservoir is managed by the Douglasville-Douglas County Water and Sewer Authority, and they maintain a record of archaeological excavations completed prior to construction of the reservoir. 

The 1999 survey of historic resources in Douglas County identified several sites with historic value in this area.

• NW corner of SR 5 and Hwy 166
• NE corner of SR 5 and Hwy 166 (likely demolished)
• 8030 SR 166 (likely demolished)
• N side of SR 166, just west of Small Wood Drive
• 9094 SR 166
• 7544 SR 166
• 7434 SR 166

Community Centers

The historic Fairplay community is centered around the intersection of Highway 166 and Post Road. The story of the area that we refer to today as Fairplay seems to encompass multiple older communities, including McWhorter and Hannah.  As such, of the early landmarks associated with these communities are in areas on the south side of Hwy 166.  But areas north of Hwy 166 in the segment are also recognized as part of the Fairplay community, and distinguished here only because of the existing watershed regulation that preserves large lot residential areas and limits non-residential development. The various communities will be discussed in detail in a later post.

The Study Boundary for the South Douglas Scenic Byway covers an area that is approximately one mile north of the corridor.  Southern and western corridor boundaries generally end at the county line.  The first segment identified for analysis is the area along Highway 92 & 166 that begins at Fairburn Road and runs to the county line near the Campbellton roundabout. It is developed with the most traditional suburban residential characteristics of the corridor.  However, by the time you get to the Campbellton roundabout and continue to travel down Highway 166, it has transitioned to more agricultural and rural residential land use patterns.

Which intrinsic qualities are reflected in this segment?

Scenic Byway designation evaluates the archaeological, historical, cultural, natural, recreational and scenic qualities of the land use along a corridor. The study area of this segment of the Scenic Byway captures the following resources.

Archaeological/ Historical Qualities

• The excavation of the Anawaqa/ Annewakee Mound (now demolished) 
• Beulah Grove Lodge #372
• Pleasant Grove Baptist Church and Cemetery
• Boyd’s Slave Cemetery
• Bullard-Henley-Sprayberry House and Cemetery
• Civil War Cemetery on the Bullard-Henley-Sprayberry House property

In 1999, Douglas County completed a survey of historic resources.  Several properties were identified in the vicinity of the historic Campbellton community.  Though these resources may not rise to the level of individual National Register listing, it is possible that they could contribute a resources in a district for the historic Campbellton community. 

• 5111 Highway 92 & 166
• 5229 Highway 92 & 166
• 5169 Highway 92 & 166 (demolished)
• 5088 Highway 92 & 166

Historic Campbellton was the County Seat of old Campbell County.  Campbell County was created by the Georgia Legislature in 1828. Douglas County was created from portions of Campbell and other counties in 1870. The Campbellton Ferry traversed the Chattahoochee River until well into the mid-20th century.  The site of the old ferry launch is in the this segment. 

Recreational Qualities

• Boundary Waters Park
• Chattahoochee Hill Country Greenway

Cultural Qualities

• Will Winn Equestrian Farm
• Rodgers Greens and Roots Farm
• Brigid’s Bounty Farm
• Accent Nursery & Landscaping

Scenic / Natural Qualities

There are several wooded and undeveloped tracts of land along this corridor.  However, compared with other segments of the proposed Scenic Byway, this area has seen more inquiries for the development of these tracts for new, residential neighborhoods. Floodplain creates environmentally sensitive areas and limits some of the area for development along on the Chattahoochee River and Anneewakee Creek.

Other areas of development along the corridor including institutional uses, such as Pleasant Grove Baptist Church and Victory Baptist Church; and New Manchester High School. There are multiple single-family neighborhoods, developed mostly between 1960 and 2010, including:   

• Amber Creek
• Abby Brooke
• Harrison Mill
• Cardinal Springs Estates
• Hilderbrand Heights
• Anneewakee Trails
• Chattahoochee Ridge
• River Breeze
• Lazy Acres

Segment 2 of the Scenic Byway extends from the Campbellton Roundabout to the Dog River Reservoir. More information will be shared on the intrinsic qualities of this area in the next post.