Category Archives: –MCINTOSH COUNTY GA–

May 20, 2013 · 12:00 PM

Ruins of William Carnochan’s Sugar Mill & Rum Distillery, Circa 1800

Though somewhat known locally, these ruins were new to me until I ran across a mention of them on Buddy Sullivan’s Coastal Georgia history website. I’ve driven by the area a hundred times and never thought to stop until yesterday and was I surprised!

Text of Historic Marker on nearby Georgia Highway 99:

“The Thicket”
Sugar Mill – Rum Distillery Ruins

On the banks of Carnochan Creek, a short distance East of here, are the ruins of a famous Sugar Mill and Rum Distillery operated early in the 19th century.

These buildings, constructed of tabby by William Carnochan on his huge sugar plantation at “The Thicket,” followed closely plans laid out by Thomas Spalding of Sapelo. The sugar works and rum distillery were operated successfully on a commercial scale until 1824, when a hurricane tore off the roof and upper story of the mill and cane barn, and destroyed other buildings.

http://tolomato.org/sub_category_list.asp?category=19&title=About+Tolomato+Island

For more photographs, please visit:

http://vanishingcoastalgeorgia.com/2013/05/20/ruins-of-william-carnochans-sugar-mill-and-rum-distillery-circa-1800/

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Filed under --MCINTOSH COUNTY GA--, Carnigan GA

Tagged as --MCINTOSH COUNTY GA--, © Brian Brown/Vanishing Media, Carnigan GA, {African-American History}, {Coastal Georgia}, {Georgia Tabby}, {Most Endangered Historic Places in South Georgia}, {Slavery in South Georgia}, {South Georgia Architecture}, {South Georgia Landmarks}

April 19, 2013 · 7:54 AM

First African Baptist Church at Raccoon Bluff, 1900, Sapelo Island

Established by freedmen on Sapelo Island the year after the Civil War ended, the congregation at Raccoon Bluff built the present structure from lumber that washed ashore after the hurricane of 1898. Abandoned from 1968 until 2000, it was restored through efforts of the Sapelo Island Cultural and Revitalization Society, the state of Georgia, and students from the Savannah College of Art & Design. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and its restoration represents one of the most significant efforts to preserve African-American history in Georgia, more importantly a tangible link to the Geechee-Gullah culture of the Sea Islands.

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Filed under --MCINTOSH COUNTY GA--, Sapelo Island GA

Tagged as --MCINTOSH COUNTY GA--, © Brian Brown/Vanishing Media, Sapelo Island GA, {African-American History}, {Coastal Georgia}, {National Register of Historic Places}, {South Georgia Architecture}, {South Georgia Churches}

April 18, 2013 · 12:37 PM

Farmers Alliance Hall, 1929, Hog Hammock

A farmers’ alliance was first chartered on Sapelo Island in 1892 to serve the needs of black farmers. It was also used for social gatherings and community meetings. Original members were: Cuffy Wilson, President; Sipio Sams, Vice-president; Rachel Dunham, Treasurer; Reverend Joseph Jones, Chaplain; Ceasar Sams, Conductor; Sam Dixon, Secretary; other members included Glasco Campbell, Peter Sams, Ben Brown, Cato Hillery, Katie Brown, Charles Hall, and Liberty Handy. The Sapelo Island Cultural & Revitalization Society restored this important symbol of Hog Hammock in 2008 and it is the site for the Cultural Day Festival, held every third Saturday in October. It’s one of the older remaining buildings in Hog Hammock.

http://sapeloislandga.org/

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Filed under --MCINTOSH COUNTY GA--, Hog Hammock GA, Sapelo Island GA

Tagged as --MCINTOSH COUNTY GA--, © Brian Brown/Vanishing Media, Hog Hammock GA, Sapelo Island GA, {African-American History}, {Coastal Georgia}, {South Georgia Agriculture}, {South Georgia Architecture}, {South Georgia Landmarks}

April 17, 2013 · 5:24 PM

Behavior Cemetery, Sapelo Island

If you subscribe to Vanishing Coastal Georgia, you’ll be familiar with Sapelo Island’s Behavior Cemetery, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. For more information on one of Georgia’s most important African-American landmarks, visit these links:

http://vanishingcoastalgeorgia.com/2012/09/17/behavior-cemetery/

http://vanishingcoastalgeorgia.com/2013/04/17/headstones-of-behavior-cemetery/

You’ll learn about Minto Bell, whose headstone is pictured below, and many others.

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Tagged as --MCINTOSH COUNTY GA--, © Brian Brown/Vanishing Media, Sapelo Island GA, {African-American History}, {Coastal Georgia}, {Georgia Pioneers}, {National Register of Historic Places}, {Slavery in South Georgia}, {South Georgia Cemeteries}, {South Georgia Folk Art}, {South Georgia Folklife}

April 16, 2013 · 6:22 PM

Chocolate Plantation, Sapelo Island

Chocolate is a collection of tabby ruins on Sapelo Island. Sea Island cotton and sugar cane, both labor intensive crops, were the primary agricultural focus through much of its history. Most of the structures are in a state of very bad disrepair except the restored barn and a privately-owned circa 1930s Sears Roebuck house overlooking the Mud River. The barn was restored in the 1920s and is falling to ruin, as well. For more photos and background:

http://vanishingcoastalgeorgia.com/2013/04/16/ruins-of-chocolate-plantation/

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Tagged as --MCINTOSH COUNTY GA--, Sapelo Island GA, {African-American History}, {Antebellum South Georgia}, {Coastal Georgia}, {Slavery in South Georgia}, {South Georgia Architecture}, {South Georgia Landmarks}

November 27, 2012 · 11:30 AM

Wayfair Primitive Baptist Church, Cox

Wayfair Primitive Baptist Church was likely built during the 1930s; the earliest burial in the adjacent cemetery dates to 1934. It is one of just a few so-called Hardshell churches of the old style still remaining in South Georgia. Thanks to Leon Gordon for bringing this historic church to my attention.

http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/nge/Article.jsp?id=h-1545