History of Blackwater Preserve

 The entire grist mill site known as McElveen Pond was built by Ansel Parrish in the early part of the 19th century (perhaps as early as 1820).  After Ansel's death in 1864, it was acquired by William (Big Bill)  Brannen, who owned it until the time of his death about 1888. Later, it  was owned by Berry A. Daughtry and George Bird and was known as the  Bird-Daughtry mill. This mill had a rice huller as well as machinery for  grinding corn. By 1909, the mill had become the property of James  McElveen, who added gins for both Sea Island and Upland cotton. McElveen  Pond was eventually acquired by George Byrd and he sold it to  Strickland Holloway, Sr. and Lincoln Womack in 1960. In 1977, Strickland  Holloway, Jr. purchased the interest from Lincoln Womack. Strickland  Holloway, Sr. and Strickland Holloway, Jr. owned the property together  until 2000 when Strickland Holloway, III purchased the interest of his  father and grandfather and has owned it until the present. 

CALL  to schedule a time to hunt, fish, canoe, kayak, bird watch,shoot our  archery range, plan a birthday party or meeting or to become a full  member. 

​912-682-9521