Magnolia Hall
Brooks, Georgia⁞3500± ACRES
Historic Sporting Property Located in the Famed Red Hills Plantation Belt
- 3,500 +/- acres Historic Plantation in the Red Hills, Brooks County, GA
- Famous 1850’s Five-Column antebellum Greek Revival home and grounds designed by John Wind (Completely remodeled and restored)
- One of the largest stands of intact wiregrass & longleaf pine in the Red Hills Region
- 6-acre fishing lake and a 3-acre lake
- 1 +/- mile on Withlacoochee River
- 3 +/- miles on Okapilco Creek
- 1 +/- mile on Piscola Creek
- 1,600 +/- acres of native groundcover and mature natural pine
- 1,100 +/- acres of old field ground and merchantable pine
- 400 +/- acres of exceptionally pristine hardwood bottoms
- 350 +/- acres of agricultural fields and food plots
- Established in 1843 by Judge James Morton; he prospered there for 68 years then the R.N. Bray Company managed it for 84 years
- Completely remodeled and historically preserved antebellum Greek Revival home; 3,852 sq ft H/C with 830 sq ft of porches, 4 BD / 4.5 BA five-column plantation home completely remodeled in 2021
- Surrounding living quarters also intricately remodeled including:
- Original 1800s commissary completely renovated for gathering and after-the-hunt meals (960 sq ft H/C with 448 sq ft of porches/shed)
- Renovated and historically preserved 2,070 sq ft H/C with 201 sq ft of porches, 1 BD / 1 BA guest house
- Second 1,314 sq ft H/C with 295 sq ft of porches, 4 BD / 3.5 BA guest house; new build 2022
- Third 1,248 sq ft H/C, 3 BD / 2 BA modular home with updates
- Brand new 3,500 sq ft H/C, 3 BD / 2 BA manager’s house built in 2021
- One of the oldest stands of privately owned natural timber in the Southeast
- Intensively managed for wild quail, partnership with Tall Timbers in a quail restoration program began in 2018
- Located in the Red Hills Plantation Belt near other famous Brooks County plantations such as Four Oaks, Terra Chula, Okapilco, Brannville, River Bend, Kinderlou Forest, Tamathli, Pinckney Hill, Blackwater, Hickory Head & King Place
- Frontage on US HWY 84 & Madison-Quitman Highway
- Extremely game-rich in turkey & deer thanks to diverse habitat, and the confluence of three waterways
- One of the most diverse eco-systems on any plantation in the Red Hills
- Some of the most beautiful and diverse quail woods in the region
- Magnificent untouched hardwood bottoms, and the convergence of the Withlacoochee River and both Okapilco and Piscola Creeks
- A total of 10 miles of springs, creeks and rivers within and surrounding the property
- Only 25 min to Valdosta & 30 min to commercial airport in Valdosta, the 10th largest city in GA & Only 35 min to the Thomasville Airport
Premier Classic Georgia Sporting Property; One of the most beautiful, multi-game hunting properties in the Southeast
From the exceptional whitetail genetics, wild quail courses, confluence of three major waterways, size, natural timber, Antebellum home, history and location, there are few plantations that have these attributes
Magnolia Hall, a 3,500 +/ acre historic plantation located in the famed Red Hills Plantation Belt, is one of the few remaining examples of original plantation acreage with an antebellum home by famous architect John Wind intact. The plantation is diverse and naturally beautiful. It has one of the largest stands of intact wiregrass and longleaf pine in the Red Hills Region and seven miles of large creek & river frontage. The plantation has one of the most natural ecosystems of any in the Red Hills. It is located less than 15 minutes to I-75 and only 30 minutes to Thomasville, Georgia. Magnolia Hall is complete with almost all of the original 3,500 acres, its famous 1850's five-column antebellum Greek Revival home, commissary and orchard, red clay roads, live oak lined entrance, magnificent untouched hardwood bottoms, and the convergence of the Withlacoochee River and both Okapilco and Piscola Creeks, all located alongside some of the finest stands of natural pine timber in the Southeast.
"The live water here is unmatched in this region. The Withlacoochee River bluffs are unique to any plantation. There are a combined five miles of flowing water." - Jon Kohler
"The Okaplico Creek drainage in Brooks County is one of the most prolific producers of large whitetails in the region. Due to restocking the genetics, the bucks here are consistently larger than any other area of the Red Hills. When I first heard about this plantation many years ago, it was due to the monster bucks that were very quietly being harvested here." - Jon Kohler
Magnolia Hall is one of the few examples of an original high-quality quail plantation in existence today. When this property was first chosen by Judge Morton, he had his pick of SW Georgia, and he wisely chose a property with very good diversity and natural wealth. At that time, the property was named Morton Bray Plantation.
In 1843, James Oliver Morton and his new bride came from Savannah to unsettled Southwest Georgia. With this once-in-history opportunity, he had his choice of the finest land and timber in Georgia. The entrepreneur chose 4,000 acres located on what was then the Oglethorpe Trail, just a few miles southeast of present-day Quitman. His choice made him wildly successful. With more natural beauty and diversity than almost anywhere else in southwest Georgia, he picked an area of fertile soils and rolling pine-covered hills where the Withlacoochee River, Okapilo and Pisgola creeks converge. He prospered with this plantation and became one of the founding fathers of Quitman as well as both a Judge and founder of the Bank of Quitman, which is still in existence today.
In 1850, Judge Morton commissioned John Wind to design what is today one of the most outstanding examples of an original classic revival plantation home in existence. The lumber for the house was cut from virgin longleaf yellow pine on the property. Wind was one of the best architects of the era and designed such showplaces as Susina, Greenwood, Fair Oaks, Forest Hills, Eudora, and even and the Thomas and Brooks County Court Houses. For years, the historic home remained untouched.
In 2018, we were honored to represent Morton Bray and sold the historic plantation home to one of the South’s greatest stewards, Mr. Virgil Williams. With a penchant for preserving historically significant structures, and leaving the land better than found, Mr. Williams originally bought and beautified the renowned Southern Heritage Plantation. After more than 20 years of progress, Mr. Williams turned toward his next great legacy project and set out to completely remodel Morton Bray, while preserving historically accurate design aspects with immaculate detail. It was a project few would dare to take on, and if it weren’t for his incredible efforts, the home would not stand in its full glory as it does today. With a new look came a new name, and Mr. Williams renamed Morton Bray to its present-day name, Magnolia Hall.
The historic Greek Revival house is two-storied with fluted, Doric columns supporting the front portion of the roof which extends over a wide veranda on the first floor, and a balcony on the second floor. The second-floor balcony also acts as a hallway between rooms on that floor. The house is L shaped with dining and sitting rooms, a master bedroom, office, kitchen and back porch on the main floor. The entrance is into a foyer that extends from the front veranda to the back porch. In the foyer is a floating spiral stairway, with a banister of spooled mahogany, leading to the second floor. This home is one of his last surviving plantation houses with original acreage and is proudly listed on the National Historic Register.
In addition to the grand home, there are several additional living structures on the grounds, each remodeled or even newly constructed with the same eye for detail as the main house. One of these such buildings is the old commissary. Originally built in the 1800s the commissary was historically preserved and now serves as a modernly updated gathering hall for group meals and lounging.
A short distance from the main house and commissary are three additional guest houses. The first is a quaint, beautifully refurbished 2,070 sq ft H/C, 1 BR/1BA cottage. A set of stairs leads to a welcoming front porch perfect for quiet mornings and enjoying the evening air. Through the front door is a comfortable living space with fireplace that leads directly into a kitchen complete with everything a guest would need. The 1 BR/1BA suite has a fireplace as well.
From there, it’s just a short walk past the dog kennels and original hay barn to a 4BR/3.5BA guest house built in 2022. The exterior of this 2-story new guest home blends effortlessly with the original structures in the living compound. Inside the first floor is a living and dining space, a full kitchen, half bath and master suite. Upstairs is a second master suite, an additional full bath and two bedrooms. Just this one house has enough space for several guests to visit in comfort.
A final guest home rounds out the living compound. It is a 3BD/3BA more modular style home but has a newly updated master bathroom and is a nice option for additional guests.
Not to be outdone, the 3,500 sq ft manager’s house, completed in 2021, is just a short distance from the main living compound. It is a quintessential southern style 3BD/2 BA home with a beautiful front porch, and shutters, and is the perfect place to call home.
Headquarters for Magnolia Hall land management is the 8,000 sq ft equipment barn. It has two open air storage spaces, and a large, enclosed space complete with a bathroom. It is just adjacent to the pasture and horses and has two large silos for easy access.
Mr. Williams, however, did not just stop with the improvements, he enlisted the help of Tall Timber’s Research Station and set to work in partnering on a quail translocation and restocking program to rebuild the wild quail counts, and manage the habitat with fire for optimal health. The partnership began in 2018; ag fields were converted to planted pines and fallow fields increasing brood habitat across the property. An improved predator control program and consistent supplemental feed program have resulted in a year-over-year 60% increase in call counts per Tall Timber’s most recent annual report. In 2022, more than 20 coveys were counted across six call points (a stark contrast to the four wild coveys counted at the program’s inception, and a testament to the excellent management in place). Boasting some of the most beautiful and diverse quail woods in the region (with more than three wild quail courses spanning the property), Magnolia Hall is a shining example of what makes the Red Hills so special. To this, the plantation has record timber value, with one of the most intensively stocked, privately owned stands of natural timber in the Southeast.
"The natural timber and immense amount of native ground cover really set this plantation apart. It’s probably the perfect balance between native grasslands and old field ground. It has 1,600 acres of native ground cover and 1,100 acres of old field ground. It may also be the perfect balance between riverfront upland hardwoods and uplands with 400 acres in gorgeous upland hardwoods." – Jon Kohler
In addition to the profound quail grounds, the property is extremely game-rich in turkey and deer thanks to diverse habitat, and the confluence of three waterways. The turkey are abundant here, and this area of Georgia in known for its great genetics and trophy deer hunting.
While there is currently no conservation easement on Magnolia Hall, it would be an excellent candidate for one.
Magnolia Hall is located in the Tallahassee/Thomasville Plantation Belt near other famous Brooks County plantations such as Talloakas, Okapilco, Brannville, River Bend, Pinion Point, Four Oaks, Kinderlou Forest, Tamathli, Pinckney Hill, Blackwater, Hickory Head & King Place. It is only 35 minutes to the Thomasville airport & only 30 minutes to the commercial airport in Valdosta & 25 min to Valdosta, Georgia.
This is a rare opportunity on one of the most beautiful, multi-game hunting properties in the Southeast. From the exceptional whitetail genetics, the three wild quail courses, confluence of three major waterways, size, natural timber, Antebellum home, history and location, there are few plantations that have these attributes. This is a premier classic Georgia sporting property.
"This is one of, if not the, most diverse and naturally beautiful plantations in the Red Hills.” – Jon Kohler
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Bruce Ratliff is a retired elected official (Property Appraiser Taylor County). Bruce brings years of experience in ad valorem tax knowledge. His property tax background gives JKA Associates & clients a unique insight into the complicated tax process. Bruce held several positions in the Florida Association of Property Appraisers, including member of the Board of Directors, President, Vice-President and Secretary, and served on the Agricultural & Legislative Committees for the Association. The real estate business has been part of Bruce’s life since childhood. His mother, Shirley Ratliff owned Professional Realty of Perry, Florida and his father, Buster owned Ratliff Land Surveying which Bruce was General Manager of before his political career.
From murky farm ponds to pristine glacier-cut lakes and everything in between, Knox Daniels’ expertise stems from a lifelong fascination of water and the creatures that live in and around it. He recognizes and helps clients appreciate the value water features bring to a property. “My goal is to help buyers realize and sellers maximize the value different water bodies bring to a property, not only in a recreational sense, but also for social storm reasons.” After extensively traveling the country for collegiate BASS fishing tournaments, Knox graduated and worked for the Southeast’s finest fisheries and wildlife biologist, Greg Grimes. With Grimes’ company, AES, Knox managed many of the southeast’s finest private lake estate/impoundment properties, and learned the intricacies of upscale property management. Learning from Greg and other biologists, Knox honed in on the specific conditions and habitat needed for optimal gamefish growth in private lakes. He has also worked as a property manager on several thousand acres and for a commercial developer, facilitating the dirt work and builds of several apartment complexes, but his true passion has always been in the outdoors. “I’ve always had an insatiable fascination with ponds/lakes and am grateful to be able to help to place clients on the properties of their dreams and make their personal fisheries/wildlife goals reality with JKA.” – Knox Daniels
As a landowner of his own family farm, Lick Skillet, along with family land that has been passed down and enjoyed together at Keaton Beach for 40 years, Jon knows what it means to be a steward of the last best places. As a third-generation land broker with more than 30 years of experience in advising landowners in this niche, Jon is known for his innate ability to harvest a land’s unique intrinsic value. Touting several notable sales under his belt, Jon personally closed Rock Creek/Molpus – 124,000 acres of premium timberland at $142,000,000 – which was known as the largest timberland land sale in the Southeast for eight years running. He is a co-founding member of LandLeader and achieved the real estate industry’s highest honor, “2022 National Broker of the Year – Recreational Land Sales,” by the Realtors® Land Institute.
Prior to joining Jon Kohler & Associates, Walter Hatchett served for 30 years as a land manager to several of the south’s most esteemed properties, including Rock Creek. As a former property manager himself, and a consistently ranked “Top Sales Producer” nationwide and achieved “APEX Top 20 Land Broker” multiple times, Walter has a keen eye for the best in habitat management.
With Madison County roots, Lori grew up on her family farm at Pettis Springs along the historic Aucilla River. A love of the land was instilled in Lori very early on by her father who was a local farmer. Lori understands the importance of good land stewardship and has witnessed first-hand how her own father, a former 2-term member of the Florida House of Representatives whose district encompassed many rural counties of the Red Hills Plantation Region, with a little bit of sweat equity, so lovingly worked their own family land. These are core values she carries with her today, and nothing gives her more personal satisfaction than to represent some of the south’s best land stewards.
Hailing from a long line of outdoorsmen, Tim learned a great deal from his father and grandfather. He saw first-hand what it means to be a good land steward. He believes land is so much more than a place to hunt, fish, and grow timber or crops. “It’s an identity, a resting place, a safe haven and a way of life, said Tim.” Tim’s family ties to Alabama run deep. During his grandfather’s first term, Governor James was responsible for signing into law Alabama’s first state duck stamp which helped to ensure funding for the procurement, development, and preservation of wetlands for migratory waterfowl habitat. He also established Alabama’s lifetime hunting license, so it is no surprise that Tim is an avid outdoorsman with a keen eye as to how best to improve habitat for the greater good of its wildlife.
Jason has been assisting landowners for the last 28 years in Georgia and South Carolina obtain achievements the owners did not realize were possible. His degree in Biology from Georgia Southern stemmed from the desire to know how things in nature work. His plantation roots began at just 16 years old outside of Albany, GA and the last 20 years were spent in the Lowcountry of South Carolina. His entire career has been spent developing a global approach to plantation management. That plan included sales. Sales is in Jason’s blood- his mom had a 45-year career as a real estate broker. After college, he chose to pursue his passion of making properties great. In 2011, Jason sold his first plantation. Since then, he has assisted buyers and sellers with over $20 million in sales while most of that time working as a full-time General Manager of a large Lowcountry plantation. Today, he is committed to using his unique skill set and experience to guide landowners through the many challenges of plantation ownership.