The Confederate earthworks, two large timbers recovered from the stream, and historical markers both inside and outside Magnolia Springs State Park tell the story of Camp Lawton, the largest prisoner of war camp in the world, conceived, erected, used, and abandoned in a brief span of four months. During the Civil War, the first Union prisoners began arriving in October, 1864. By November, 10,299 prisoners were held here. In the late months of 1864, the camp was abandoned in advance of Sherman's March to the Sea. Camp Lawton is on the National Register of Historic Places.
The commercial buildings on Cotton Avenue and some side streets are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Most buildings are retail shops built between 1880 and 1930. The Jenkins County Court House, built in 1910, is also on the National Register.
As many as 15 trains pass through Millen daily, and the terminal serves as a switching station where trains are made up. Two major depots along Cotton Avenue, both built in the early 1900s, testify to the significance of rail transportation in Millen. One is currently used by Norfolk Southern and the other houses the Millen-Jenkins County Museum and Chamber of Commerce.
Inside one of Millen’s two train depots, the free museum curates local histories, Native American Indian artifacts, tools, and cotton mill equipment. Museum hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday, closed Saturdays and Sundays.
Carswell Grove Baptist Church and Cemetery, organized in 1867 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, grew out of Big Buckhead Baptist Church approximately 200 yards away. The church was organized by African Americans after the Civil War in 1867. The church was destroyed in a fire in 2014.
The third oldest Baptist church in Georgia was organized in 1774 before the American Revolution. The present Greek Revival structure was completed and dedicated in 1855. Here the Hephzibah Association was organized in 1794. The Georgia Baptist Convention met there in 1831 for its annual session and adopted a resolution to establish a classical and theological school known today as Mercer University. Bishop Frances Asbury, first American bishop of the Methodist Church, preached at Buckhead on January 23, 1793. Big Buckhead Church was also the scene of fierce cavalry action resulting in a Confederate victory during Sherman's March to the Sea.
Magnolia Springs State Park is known for its crystal clear springs that flow at an estimated 9 million gallons of water per day and the boardwalk that spans the cool water along the natural spring interpretive boardwalk. During warmer months, visitors may watch for alligators, turtles and other wildlife. The park includes a number of hiking/biking trails. Private boats are allowed and fishing boats and canoes are available for rent. Magnolia Springs State Park is also home to the National Register of Historic Places listed Camp Lawton. Magnolia Springs Website
Big Dukes Pond Heritage Preserve (BDPHP) is a Carolina Bay, a wetland found along the Atlantic Coastal Plain that has an oval shape and a raised sand rim along the south and east margins. Dukes Pond provides habitat for one of Georgia's largest breeding colonies of wood stork, a federally listed rare species, as well as the rare black-crowned night-heron and yellow-crowned night-heron, and the state-protected spotted turtle.
The Ogeechee River, the longest river in Georgia to keep its name throughout its course and one of Georgia's few remaining free flowing streams, is popular with canoeists; with fishermen seeking red breast, suckers, shad, rock crappie, bass, shellcracker and catfish; with ministers baptizing believers; and with children enjoying natural swimming holes.
Public access to the river is available at the Bull Hole in the Herndon Community, Scarboro Landing in the Scarboro Community, the Old Highway 80 Ramp and the Highway 25 boat landing on the south side of Highway 25. Drop by the Millen/Jenkins County Chamber of Commerce for directions and a map.
The 314-mile State Bicycle Route #85, "The Savannah River Run," that goes from North Carolina to Savannah goes through Jenkins County from the Burke County line to the Screven County line.
Hanging Rocks Plantation is a hunting preserve for quail, turkey, dove and pheasant hunts. With a pavilion, amphitheater and cabin also on the property, it is an ideal location for weddings, corporate or family events, and provides entertainment, catering and lodging for events. For information, call 478-982-4022 or visit their website at www.hangingrocksplantation.com.
On SR 23 about five miles from Millen is a natural outcropping of hanging rocks located on Hanging Rocks Plantation, a hunting preserve. A ledge of rock along a hillside that rises some 20 to 25 feet above the earth makes a picturesque scene, overlooking a beautiful pond. Underneath the rock is clay that has eroded over a period of time, leaving the rock extended into space. Artifacts and signs indicate an Indian village was once located there, probably as late as the 1700s. Geologists in the 1980s determined the rock formation is a "fault" from an earthquake that it pushed up to the surface from a depth of about 200 feet. They also determined there has been no movement for maybe millions of years and probably no danger from further movement.