Just off the Historic Piedmont Scenic Byway in Putnam County, there is an archaeological mystery that was left by those who inhabited the land long before European settlers came to the area.

Known as the Rock Hawk Effigy, many have made the journey to visit the site and ponder the existence of peoples before our time and what the site may have been used for.

Nearly 100 people gathered Friday at the site for a dedication ceremony to the newly completed tower and park that will hopefully give residents and visitors alike an opportunity to take in a wealth of knowledge about local forests, wildlife and the history surrounding the area.

The Rock Hawk Effigy and Trails Park is similar to another, more well-known effigy located in Putnam County known as Rock Eagle.

Rock Eagle and the Rock Eagle 4-H Center, which opened in 1955 and currently serves as the largest of five centers operated by the University of Georgia as support for the state’s 4-H program, was listed on the National Registery of Historic Places by the U.S. Department of the Interior in 1978.

This new park and preservation of the only other known effigy east of the Mississippi River besides Rock Eagle has been 10 years in the making on the part of supporters; however, the dream of preserving Rock Hawk has been present for many decades by those who have visited the site as children, participated in 4-H events and learned of the site or even sought it out as adults.

Present for the ceremony were myriad representatives from various groups that joined forces to make the project possible including the Historic Piedmont Scenic Byway Corporation, the University of Georgia and the Georgia 4-H Foundation, Georgia College, the UGA College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, the Georgia Department of Transportation, the Putnam County Board of Commissioners, Milledgeville Boy Scout Troop 124, Eatonton Boy Scout Troop 326 and the Georgia Power Company.

Each representative’s remarks in regards to the dedication of the project had one common thread — the power of partnerships that made this project come to fruition.

Arch Smith, the interim state 4-H leader and director of 4-H, told the audience of the importance of preserving Rock Hawk.

“It was here long before any of our ancestors reached this continent,” Smith told the crowd of nearly 100. “And now it has been preserved for future generations to learn and wonder about.”

Historic Piedmont Scenic Byway Board of Directors Chairman Larry Moore took to the podium and shared the history of the journey to this point to all in attendance.

The effigy and park preservation, he said, was made possible due to a small group of people who gathered together in the basement of the Eatonton City Hall with an aim to designate Ga. Highway 16 as a historic scenic byway.

In 2003, Ga. Highway 16 was designated as the Historic Piedmont Scenic Byway, and work to preserve Rock Hawk was able to get under way, as the effigy was easily accessible to the public.

“It was really difficult to get to years ago,” said Moore.

Moore then took the time to recognize every group, individual, business, public official and government entity that put work into making the effigy preservation a success.

Attendees then recognized a 10th grade Putnam County High School student as the winner of an essay contest that was held after Moore gave students a guided tour of the facility and trails.

PCHS student Erin Wolf’s essay will be on display at the facility’s interpretive center, at the base of the Rock Hawk Tower, for the next year.

Two representatives from the U.S. Senate, Sen. Saxby Chambliss and Sen. Johnny Isakson, were also present at the ceremony to present the facility with two flags that were flown over the U.S. capitol in commemoration of the effigy and park.

Additionally, U.S. Congressman Dr. Paul Broun had a representative present a plaque in honor of the facility dedication.

Dr. Dorothy Leland, president of Georgia College, spoke with the audience about the opportunities that the new effigy and park had for youth in the area, particularly in an age where youth are immersed in the digital age.

“Rock Hawk is a unique blend of education and recreation,” she told the audience, noting the benefits that an outdoor education center such as Rock Hawk or Rock Eagle can have for school-aged children.

Dr. J. Scott Angle, dean and director of the College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences, told the audience of his personal fascination and amazement on his journeys to Rock Hawk, and Dr. Beverly Sparks, the associate dean for Extension Services with the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences at UGA, further noted the success of such a project is made possible because of collaborations.

“This project is a great example of what can happen when many organizations come together for the public good,” said Sparks.

Todd Holbrook, with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Bill Kuhlke, a member of the Board of Directors of the Georgia Department of Transportation, and Mike Thomas, the director of local grants and field service, all echoed Sparks’ remarks in regards to partnerships and collaboration on this project.

“It’s just great to be here to see all this come to fruition,” Thomas said.

Smith, who opened the dedication ceremony, ended it with his own personal story about Rock Hawk, in which he told the audience of his inquiry to the possibility of preserving Rock Hawk as a young man at 4-H Camp at the Rock Eagle 4-H Center.

The counselor whom he asked responded with uncertainty and seemed unsure about something like that ever being possible, but several decades later Smith finally got what he wanted, he said, despite the hardships and the long wait.

“It was worth the journey and it was worth the work,” he said.

Attendees then participated in the cutting of the ribbon for the Rock Hawk Effigy and Tower before enjoying refreshments, seeking out a view from atop the tower and participating in trail tours.

For more information about the Rock Hawk Effigy and Trails and Park, visit www.rockhawk.org.