Obediah’s Okefenok
Obediah’s Okefenok
A homestead representing the frontier agricultural lifestyle maintained by an early settler at a time when industry and commercial growth was a concern. The park also displays zoological and biological knowledge obtained by this great swamper. He knew every plant and animal by name, sometimes only by given “swamp names.” Serving as an educational reminder that every living thing has a place on earth, even the strangest of swamp creatures, the employees of Obediah’s Okefenok share a respect for these animals and their habitats as shown and demonstrated throughout the exhibits therein.
Additional Info & Links
Historical Information
The Homestead
Obediah’s Okefenok began in 1989 after the restoration of the 127 year old cabin built by swamp legend, Henry Obediah Barber. Named Obediah’s Okefenok by the property owner, to simply imply that Obediah would have called his home “Okefenok” (‘ok fi’ nok) instead of “Okefenokee”, because swampers often left out extra syllables as they spoke the territorial slang.
The log home is the oldest swamp settler’s home to remain in and around the swamp, constructed by the hands of a renowned farmer, hunter and explorer. Obediah lived on the northwestern rim of the Okefenokee, and was a larger-than-life character at 6½ feet tall. He served as guide for surveying parties exploring and mapping the swamp in 1857, 1875 and 1890. By the 1890’s his reputation and knowledge had made him a living legend. A centerpiece of this historical park now known as Obediah’s Okefenok, the cabin is located 7½ miles south from downtown Waycross, Georgia, on Swamp Road.
Explore many different avenues while touring the park. Over 20 structures are included in the outline of the homestead. Two museums and a load of animal species are on exhibit here.
Gift Shoppe
Southern Showcase Stage
1870s Historic Log
Cabin & Kitchen
Furnace Shed & Syrup Boiler
Hog Gallows
Original Two Seater Outhouse
Smoke House
Grist Mill
Blacksmith Shop
R/R Exhibit
Livestock Barn
Picnic Area
Wagon Barn & Farm Equipment
Cotton & Cypress Shingle display
Turpentine Exhibit
3D Melton Museum & Antiques
Corn Cribb
Over 1400 ft of Boardwalks
Wild Animals & Wildlife Exhibits
Sugar Cane Mill
Family Pavilion
SE Native American Exhibit
(circa 1780-1820)
1 mile Nature Trail
& Wildlife Refuge
Champion Pecan Tree
Moonshine Still