Cow Hell Swamp

Cow Hell Swamp (also called Cow Hell[2]) is a swamp in the U.S. state of Georgia.[1] The swamp is located along the eastern bank of the Oconee River near the mouth of Buckeye creek in northern Laurens County,[2][3] with a small portion of the swamp extending north into the southern portion of Johnson County. Cow Hell Swamp is on the opposite side of the Oconee river from Beaverdam Swamp, which is located on the western bank of the Oconee river.[4] Cow Hell Swamp has a surface area of approximately 2.22 sq mi (5.7 km2) and a surface elevation of 174 ft (53 m) above sea level.[1] The nearest town is Dublin, Georgia, the northernmost city limits of which is 9.3 mi (15.0 km) south of the swamp.[5]

Cow Hell Swamp
Swamp
Location of the swamp within the State of Georgia
Location of the swamp within the State of Georgia
Cow Hell Swamp
Location of the swamp within the State of Georgia
Location of the swamp within the State of Georgia
Cow Hell Swamp
Coordinates: 32°39′12″N 82°55′26″W
LocationLaurens County, Georgia
Part ofOconee River
Area
 • Total2.22 sq mi (5.7 km2)
Surface elevation53 m (174 ft)
[1]

The swamp was named Cow Hell by nearby residents due to the fact that cattle that ventured into the swamp from nearby farms would frequently get stuck in the bogs.[6][2]

Cow Hell Swamp is a dense bottomland hardwood forest swamp filled with a large number of bald cypress trees.[7] The nests of birds such as Eastern phoebes are often found in the swamp and its surrounding areas.[8] The swamp is often visited via kayaking, which is done through the swamp via the Oconee river.[7][9]

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) mapping quadrangle that the swamp is contained in is also named Cow Hell Swamp, and includes parts of nearby Wilkinson[10] and Johnson counties.[11]

In the early 20th century, badly decomposed human remains were found in the swamp after a nearby farmer went missing while herding cows. The remains were unable to be identified and were buried in a nearby grave.[12]

References
  1. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Cow Hell Swamp
  2. Krakow, Kenneth K. (1975). Georgia Place-Names: Their History and Origins (PDF) (1st ed.). Macon, Ga.: Winship Press. p. 53. ISBN 0-915430-00-2. OCLC 1482211. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 11, 2016. Retrieved April 14, 2018.
  3. Dolan, Duffy (January 10, 1993). "Lost in Cow Hell, looking for Hog Heaven". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. pp. B1. Archived from the original on January 10, 2023. Retrieved November 7, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. "GA_Cow Hell Swamp". United States Geological Survey. 1974. Archived from the original on December 8, 2022. Retrieved November 8, 2022.
  5. Google (December 7, 2022). "Dublin, Georgia to Cow Hell Swamp" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved December 7, 2022.
  6. Cook, Joe (2019). Oconee River user's guide. Athens, Georgia. p. 182. ISBN 978-0-8203-5391-3. OCLC 1057731770.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  7. Welander, Suzanne; Sehlinger, Bob (2015). Canoeing & kayaking Georgia (2nd ed.). Birmingham, Alabama: Menasha Ridge Press. p. 277. ISBN 978-1-63404-006-8. OCLC 905450181. Archived from the original on January 10, 2023. Retrieved December 8, 2022.
  8. Patterson, Thomas K. (June–September 1996). "Recent Records in the Coastal Plain" (PDF). The Oriole: A Quarterly Journal of Georgia Ornithology. 61 (2 & 3): 51. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 31, 2022. Retrieved December 8, 2022.
  9. "Paddle Georgia Kayaking/Canoeing & Camping on the Oconee River". Atlanta Outdoor Club. 2011. Archived from the original on December 7, 2022. Retrieved November 7, 2022.
  10. "Georgia Aerial Photographs – Wilkinson County". United States Geological Survey. Archived from the original on December 8, 2022. Retrieved November 8, 2022.
  11. "Georgia Aerial Photographs – Johnson County". United States Geological Survey. Archived from the original on December 8, 2022. Retrieved November 8, 2022.
  12. "Gave Up Fruitless Search". The Atlanta Constitution. March 10, 1903. p. 5. Archived from the original on January 10, 2023. Retrieved November 7, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
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