Legendary Okefenokee Swamp Man .. Johnny Hickox - The Original Georgia Traveler WSB-TV {Americana}

Johnny Hickox spent his entire life as the legendary Okefenokee Swamp man near Waycross, GA. For more than 30 years he was the chief guide and superintendent of maintenance at the Okefenokee Swamp Park. Johnny was a legend. His father was a one-armed gator hunter and he knew every twist, turn and cypress tree of the vast swamp. Oh, did I mention that one of his best friends was Oscar, a 12-foot, 700 pound bull alligator? Johnny, his songs and stories are part of the vanishing south.
This was America in the 1970s.
The Traveler series with Andy Johnston was an Emmy award winning program that showcased amazing people, unusual things, local legends, food finds, outdoor activities, folk art, and family fun. In 2022 the Walter J. Brown Media Archives at the University of Georgia founded The Original Georgia Traveler -- Andy Johnston Collection to preserve and maintain the stories. This story aired on Channel 2 Action News in 1977.
#okefenokees #swamp #originalgeorgiatraveler #favoriteyoutubers #1970s #southernliving #alligator

[@mtdmusic1037]

Johnny was my Grandma's Uncle, the one armed gator hunter was my great great Grandaddy Hickox!! The only time we went to Okefenokee was in the 90s, and Uncle Johnny was our guide for a great time in the swamp with fresh cut sugarcane, he brought a gator on board and fed it powdered doughnuts! There was a family story involving Uncle Johnny and a bear they kept at the park....

[@georgiatraveler]

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[@BlissfulxXxDecember]

He was my great uncle on my dad's side. He was married to my nanny's sister. Uncle Johnny was such a great person to know. I miss him every day❤

[@ianfortuna9385]

This guy

[@Fadem12forReal]

Love it

[@zachkiss8870]

Thanks for sharing! Going canoeing in okefenokee for the first time weekend.

[@jkmsr3869]

Would trade my everyday for that life… I live on the east side of the swamp close as I can legally…

[@robertjackson1407]

Thank you 😊

[@jchancey100]

Aldridge

[@peopleofonefire9643]

Okefenokee actually means "Water Shaking" . . . but the wrong translation keeps on replicating itself.

[@saltwaterinmyveins]

Mr. Johnny unfortunately passed away in 2019 age 94. His family are wonderful christen folks.

[@stilesodum2569]

Making me home sick.