Magnolia Plantation was the home of Dudley Mays Hughes, who served four times as a member of Congress from 1909 to 1917. He co-authored the Smith ~ Hughes Vocational Education Bill, which Congress passed on Feb. 23, 1917. The bill provided federal aid for vocational education in agricultural, domestic, mechanical, and other lines for both youths and adults. Hughes was also one of the builders and a president of the Macon, Dublin and Savannah Railroad. Throughout his career, he was very active in promoting the agriculture and industry of Georgia.