Henry Ford's Southern Town
Richmond Hill, in Bryan County Georgia, is a place of natural beauty. Combine this with our rich history and you have a great place for a unique getaway!
Follow the Coastal Bryan Heritage Trail
to historic sites throughout the area that automaker Henry Ford once called home. The
stories that make Bryan County stand out are told along a trail of historic sites and
historical markers. Once called Ways Station, the arrival of Henry Ford and his wife
Clara in 1925 forever changed our charming Southern city now known as Richmond Hill.
The Fords eventually owned upwards of 85,000 acres, including an abandoned Fort McAllister.
The Fords turned the once impoverished area into a thriving one, through improved medical
care, educational and employment opportunities they provided to local residents.
Whether your interests lean toward the Civil War, plantation history, or the Ford era, the Coastal Bryan Heritage Trail will lead you to places that will enrich your understanding and appreciation of this historic county. Here are just a few examples:
Rice cultivation on the Ogeechee River was the area’s prime agricultural crop in the 18th century. Enslaved Africans brought to the American South practiced the “tide flow method” of planting. Using the natural tide flow of the river for irrigation, rice crops became a profitable venture. Known as “The Rice Kingdom,” Bryan County’s plantation owners became some of the wealthiest landowners in Georgia. The hardships endured by enslaved people engaged in rice cultivation were profound, as they toiled under grueling conditions, grappling not only with the strenuous labor required for rice farming but also confronting the oppressive heat, relentless mosquitoes, and the constant threat of debilitating diseases such as Malaria. Vestiges of the rice fields can be seen on the walking trail at J. F. Gregory Park, located at 520 Cedar St., near the Richmond Hill City Center.
The Martha-Mary Chapel (10550 Ford Ave.), built in 1937, was named for the mothers of Mr. and Mrs. Ford. It played a pivotal role in the daily lives of students at the nearby Richmond Hill Consolidated School, who gathered for morning devotions throughout the school week. The church was non-denominational and had no pastor, so congregants took turns leading Sunday services. Mr. Ford himself frequently attended the chapel devotional when he was in town, and Mrs. Ford made occasional appearances, both choosing to sit in the balcony on the right side.
Before Ford’s arrival, educational facilities for African Americans in Bryan County were few and far between. In 1939, Ford built a new school and housing for teachers and named it in honor of his colleague, scientist Dr. George Washington Carver of Tuskegee Institute. Carver, renowned for his groundbreaking agricultural experiments, had forged a close friendship with Ford. The two inventors collaborated on various projects aimed at exploring innovative uses for agricultural products, particularly soybeans and peanuts.
The Carver School was furnished with all the latest conveniences, technology, and supplies for the students. Ford also provided buses for students and free lunches. In the 1970s, after integration, the George Washington Carver Elementary School was dismantled and sold in pieces and was later rebuilt several miles west. The original site can be seen at 16525 GA Hwy. 144.
Don’t miss a visit to the Richmond Hill History Museum, housed inside the former Henry Ford Kindergarten (10460 Ford Ave.). Enjoy a guided tour, informative video, historic photos, and artifacts - including the small-scale lockers used by the students. They also have a wonderful gift shop filled with local books and treasures!
Fort McAllister (3894 Fort McAllister Rd.) is a Civil War fort that marks the end of Sherman’s March to the Sea
and was later restored by Henry Ford. Visit the museum and explore the fort, which showcases the best-preserved
earthwork fortification of the Confederacy. The grounds include cannons, a hot shot furnace, bombproof, barracks,
palisades, and more. This beautiful state historic park is nestled among giant live oaks, Spanish moss, and salt
marsh, with amazing river views.
In all, there are 30 stops along the trail unfolding a fascinating history of Richmond Hill in Bryan County. Learn more at the Richmond Hill Visitor Center, housed in the former Henry Ford Bakery, located at 10750 Ford Avenue, or visit visitrichmondhill.com for more information. Be sure to download our free driving trail app. Just search for Coastal Bryan Heritage Trail in your app store.