Marbury Creek was once a clear stream with wooded hillsides and abundant wildlife, and it was named for Horatio and Leonard Marbury, who were granted nearby lands in 1829. George Humphries and his brothers built Fort Yargo in 1790-1792 for protection against Indians. Agriculture prospered on the 16,394 acres that drain into Marbury Creek, but improper land use gradually reduced the land’s usefulness. In 1940, the Oconee River Soil and Water Conservation District brought new hope as landowners applied conservation programs. In 1954, local citizens formed the Marbury Creek Watershed Association to promote full development of the land and water, and with help from local, state, and federal governments they planned and built watershed improvements. Through the efforts of U.S. Senator Richard B. Russell, the federal government purchased Fort Yargo and 1497 acres in 1942 and deeded them to the State of Georgia for recreation. The land was renewed, a 261-acre lake was constructed as part of the watershed project, and Fort Yargo State Park, now consisting of 1680 acres, was developed with camping, picnicking, fishing, swimming, nature trails, and woodland and wildlife study areas.