John Porter Fort: A Memorial, and Personal Reminiscences

In this intimate memorial, a daughter records the recollections of her father, John P. Fort, as he narrated the milestones of his life over a summer in 1916. The narrative weaves together his own words, a poetic tribute that captures his love of nature, and occasional newspaper clippings that illustrate his public reputation. Listeners will hear a portrait of a man whose curiosity turned the swamps of south‑Georgia into sources of water, timber and prosperity.

The book highlights Fort’s pioneering work on the state’s first artesian well—a deep bore that delivered clean water and helped eradicate malaria in the region—followed by a cascade of similar wells that transformed the health and agriculture of the area. It also recounts his vision for exploiting cypress forests and revitalizing the apple industry, showing how his practical ingenuity blended with a broader sense of civic duty. Through these recollections, the listener gains a vivid sense of early‑20th‑century Southern life and the lasting impact of one determined individual.