A543.6 - Doctortown is located in eastern Georgia approximately 65 miles south of Savannah along U.S. 301. It is believed the name was derived from the Muskogean Indian word, “Alekcha” which meant doctor. Doctortown was also the site of the Battle of Altamaha Bridge on December 19, 1864. The engagement was part of Sherman’s March to the Sea in which the Union Army under his command, reeked havoc on Confederate and civilian sites between Atlanta and Savannah. The Atlantic Coast Line Railroad built and maintained a 117’ bascule lift bridge known as a Strauss heel trunnion design which spanned the Altamaha River. It was concept of Joseph Baermann Strauss who was a well known structural engineer during the early 20th Century. Mr. Strauss served as the chief engineer during the construction of the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. Situated between the railroad and U.S. 301 is a massive research and pulp mill operated by Rayonier Performance Fibers. In fact, when the facility was expanded in 1974 it became the largest pulp mill in the world.