Georgia’s river corridors have provided the stages for some of the great historical dramas in Georgia and some of Georgia’s most important characters have explored up and down the state’s 14 major watersheds - even before there was a state.

As a celebration of Georgia’s rich river heritage we’re adding to the Brown’s Guide Gallery a collection of 50 illustrations of Georgia’s “River People.” These illustrations show some of the people, places and river-related activities that have influenced the state’s destiny and shaped its character and personality. You’ll find a surprising number of familiar characters, including Hernando de Soto, William Bartram, Benjamin Hawkins, and three U.S. Presidents - Andrew Jackson, Franklin Roosevelt and Jimmy Carter. There’s a wide spectrum of river fun too: rock climbing at Dripping Rock on the Flint, sea kayaking on coastal rivers, tubing on the upper reaches of the Chattahoochee near Helen, and a couple of dozen other activities. Click on the accompanying image to see them all.

The illustrations are by Roel Wielinga, a master of a mind-boggling number of drawing and painting styles that combine traditional illustration techniques with state-of-the-art computer technology. You can see more of Roel’s work on his website. (A warning though: parental supervision advised for some of Roel’s art).