GHS Erects A New Historical Marker for Hamilton Plantation

St. Simons Island, GA, April 8, 2009– The Georgia Historical Society (GHS) along with the Coastal Georgia Historical Society, Friends of Coastal Georgia History, and Sea Island Company will unveil a new historical marker about Hamilton Plantation. The dedication will be held at the corner of Hamilton Road and Arthur J. Moore Drive on St. Simons Island on April 28, 2009, at 10:00 a.m.

Hamilton Plantation was one of four major plantations on St. Simons Island. Hamilton Plantation was located at Gascoigne Bluff on the Frederica River, where deep water and the surrounding bluff had provided a natural landing site for ships since the colonial period. With such an accessible landing site, Hamilton Plantation played a key role in the export of the islands staple crop, long-stable cotton, and was itself one of the earliest sites for production of cotton on the island. In the years after the end of the plantation era Hamilton became the site of the Dart and Dodge-Meigs sawmills. Today all that remains of the original plantation buildings are two tabby cabins that once housed some of the plantation’s 125 slaves. Much of the remaining property has become residential neighborhoods and public park lands.

The marker text reads as follows:
Hamilton Plantation
In 1800 James Hamilton, with his partner John Couper, purchased land at Gascoigne Bluff. Under Hamilton’s stewardship, Hamilton Plantation became one of the major St. Simons producers of long-staple cotton. After Hamilton moved to Philadelphia, management oversight was carried out by his namesake, James Hamilton Couper, who eventually owned Hamilton. From colonial days, Gascoigne Bluff had served as a deep-water landing. In the plantation era, imported goods and cotton exports for the entire island were transported through Hamilton Plantation’s wharf. Two tabby cabins that housed some of the plantation’s slaves have been preserved at the Bluff.
Erected by the Georgia Historical Society, Coastal Georgia Historical Society, Friends of Coastal Georgia History, and Sea Island Company
Historical markers, which recognize people, places and events, tell the story of Georgia’s past in a format that is accessible to residents and visitors alike and are an effective tool for economic development, encouraging local tourism and general state-wide interest. GHS has administered Georgia’s historical marker program since 1998, erecting over 150 markers statewide.

The Georgia Historical Society, headquartered in Savannah, is a preeminent educational and research institution and the first and only statewide historical society in Georgia. It is the oldest cultural organization in the state and one of the oldest historical societies in the nation. For nearly 175 years, GHS has collected, preserved, and shared Georgia and American history through a variety of educational outreach programs, publications, and research services.