Posted on July 26, 2021 at 5:02 PM by Allison Duncan
The proposed Scenic Byway already honors two local citizens. Highway 166 is also known as the Duncan Memorial Highway, and includes the Melvin Johnson Bridge.
The Duncan Memorial Highway honors the service of Joseph Elvin “J. Ebb” Duncan. He served in the Georgia House of Representatives from 1949-1964 and the Georgia State Senate from 1973-1980. He was a native of Douglas County. During his tenure in the legislature, he championed causes included support for the University System of Georgia and bus and van transport for mental health facilities. He was also involved in advancing legislation for the purchase of Jekyll Island and construction of the Georgia World Congress Center. The Ebb Duncan Papers are held at the University of West Georgia.
The Melvin Johnson Memorial Bridge honors the first African American soldier from Douglas County killed in the Vietnam War. Senate Resolution 740 was enacted by the Georgia General Assembly to honor the life and service of Private First Class Melvin Johnson. He graduated from Cousins High School in 1966 and became an infantry soldier in 1968.
