‘In the hearts of many’
For many, this murky history behind Lake Lanier and Oscarville leaves behind many questions, especially considering Forsyth’s history with racial tensions.
Some speculate that alleged hauntings near Browns Bridge and frequent drownings could be associated with the deaths of the Black residents who once lived in the town that now resides under the surface of the lake.
But Mackey said it is important to remember what really happened to these residents and share their stories and lives.
“It is no alligator underneath the water, I can say that,” Mackey said. “There is something there, but it’s really the truth.”
He hopes to reveal at least some of this truth in “Oscarville: Below the Surface.” While he believes some things are best laid to rest, he and each crew and cast member on the show believe this story could help bring people together.
“It’s just to educate people,” Mackey said. “There’s a lot of myths out there and a lot of false information, and we want to provide a level of due diligence across the board for everybody. It’s a love to share this story. I’m a storyteller, and this has been a passion to tell this.”
Many of the cast and crew members agree that this is an important story to tell, getting involved with the project mostly out of a want to help bring the story of Oscarville to life.
Corey “Leek the Legend,” co-director and producer on the show, didn’t know anything about Oscarville before Mackey reached out to him. Diving into the history of Forsyth County, he realized how huge of a story this could be for many in the community.
He said he has worked day and night for this project to help ensure that they truly do the town and those who once lived there justice.
“A land of myth finally gets its flowers,” Leek said. “This story gets a face now.”
Looking back at this history, Mackey said Forsyth, Hall and Jackson counties have all come a long way. They are not the counties they once were.
But at the same time, he said everyone needs to recognize that the community still has a long way to go to help better society.
“All the work that was done, we don’t want it to go anywhere,” Mackey said. “We want to build off of that, and I think we do that by knowing about the work that was done.
“Things are changing. Oscarville is in the hearts of many, and we want to make sure everyone knows how important Oscarville is and was to the state of Georgia.”
Mackey said he and the crew are currently working independently, but they hope to partner with a television network or streaming service soon to host the first season of the show.
For more information and updates, visit www.oscarvilletheseries.com or follow the Facebook page, Oscarville The Television Series.
