[7] Historic
Scenic Loop One [Directions
to Historic Scenic Loop 1: From GA 16 (Marion St.) in Eatonton
take Oakway Rd which becomes Godfrey Road to Glades Rd and turn right
(or County Rd 300 which becomes Union Chapel Rd at Reid’s Rd) Rock
Eagle Rd and turn right to the 4-H Center, Rock Eagle Effigy.
Return to Union Chapel Road and right at the Union Chapel Church and
School. Returning to Eatonton via US Highway 441, you will pass
the Tompkins Inn on your left.]
This
loop is a very scenic drive to and from the Rock Eagle 4-H
Center, which is adjacent to the Oconee National Forest. Rock
Eagle’s 1,428 acres of forested land, including a 110-acre lake,
make Rock Eagle a natural meeting site. Rock Eagle is the largest of
five centers operated by the University of Georgia. Nestled
in the pines of the Oconee
National Forest, Rock Eagle 4-H Center provides a natural retreat
atmosphere for conferences and group meetings. The site includes
a Natural History Museum, the 6000-year-old Rock Eagle Effigy, seven
open air
pavilions, chapel, pools and a lake for fishing and boating. Rock
Eagle hosts over 70,000 visitors annually. Call 706-484-2836 for
details. The picturesque Greek Revival style Union
Chapel Church, at the intersection of Rock Eagle Road and Union Chapel
Road, dates to 1858 and the adjacent school to 1913. The Tompkins Inn
on the Highway 441 return trip to Eatonton dates to 1812 and was an
early stagecoach stop. A mile past the Tompkins Inn and just past
the US 441 Rock Eagle Center entrance on the right is the Oconee
National Forest Ranger Station.
