Located approximately seven miles north of
Folkston, the community known to Charlton County natives as
Newell, was established in 1904 by a Northerner named Willie
C. Newell. Newell consisted of a naval store and
a post office, with Mr. Newell serving as the store operator
and the postmaster. In 1909, Noah R. Wainwright assumed the
position of postmaster. (Kay Carter, one of the owners of
Newell Lodge is the great granddaughter of Noah Wainwright.)
The post office was discontinued in 1917 and local residents
went to the nearby settlement of Winokur to retrieve their
mail.
By
the early 1920?s, the Newell community was thriving with its
own church, commissary, school and post office. Other
business activity included a saw mill, naval store,
turpentine still, general store and the raising of
livestock. Later, Hercules Power Company set up its woods
operations in Newell and remained there for several years.
Newell also served as the flag-stop on the Atlantic Coast
Line Railway Short Line. Each day a mixed freight and
passenger train known as ?The Bogey? would stop for
passengers in Newell on its way south into Folkston. On its
way back north, ?The Bogey? would deliver its early morning
passengers after they had a day of shopping or business in
Folkston.
When Newell was a thriving community, it was
home to a number of families. Once again, Newell is
experiencing growth and new life with homes being built,
families returning and a new business venture, Newell Lodge,
which offers a slice of true country living.