McCranie's Turpentine Still

McCranie's Turpentine Still is a historic distillery on a 60-acre property where pine resin was transformed into turpentine using traditional steam distillation methods. The facility retains its original equipment and structures that powered this wood-based industrial process.

The facility was built in 1936 and operated until 1942, when the McCranie brothers entered military service and modern steam distillation technology was replacing older methods. This moment ended a long era of turpentine production in the region.

This site represents an important industry for rural Georgia communities, where families earned their living through the demanding work of harvesting and processing pine sap. The labor brought people together around a shared economic activity that shaped local life.

The site is located west of Willacoochee along U.S. Route 82, making it accessible by car. The original structure and equipment are visible and help visitors understand how the facility operated during its active years.

The facility preserves complete original equipment from the 1930s era, including steam boilers and distillation apparatus, providing direct insight into a largely forgotten trade. This machinery shows the methods that generations of workers relied upon.

Location: Atkinson County

GPS coordinates: 31.36390,-83.06360

Latest update: December 14, 2025 09:45