Creighton Island facts for kids
Creighton Island is a privately owned barrier island located in McIntosh County, Georgia. It's called a barrier island because it helps protect the mainland from ocean storms. The island got its name from Alexander Creighton, a businessman from Savannah, Georgia, who owned it in 1778.
Contents
Creighton Island's Story
A Look Back in Time
In 1756, a man named Daniel Demetre owned the island, which was then known as John Smith's Island. Later, in the 1770s, William DeBrahm, who worked for King George III, found some old walls and ruins on the island. No one could explain where they came from, and these mysteries still puzzle people today!
Farming and Timber
During the time of the American colonies, Creighton Island was used for growing crops like cotton, sugar cane, and corn. People also harvested timber (wood) from its forests.
In the 1800s, Thomas Spaulding and William Cooke worked together on the island. They built special buildings called "Tabby buildings" on the northern part of the island, and you can still see them today!
A Busy Port
From 1880 to 1898, the island had a busy timber-loading area called "Sapelo port" on its north end. Large ships would come to pick up timber. There was even a post office and telegraph lines connecting the island to Darien.
However, a big hurricane hit in 1898 and destroyed most of these facilities. They were rebuilt by 1910, but by then, the big timber business in McIntosh County was slowing down. The current owners bought the island in 1947.
What You Can Do Today
Today, Creighton Island is still privately owned. Visitors can arrange to explore the island for activities like hiking, hunting, or fishing. There's even a small grass airstrip on the southern part of the island where small planes can land.
