Hog Hammock, Georgia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Hogg Hummock Historic District
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A historic structure in Hog Hammock
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 Location in Georgia (U.S. state)
Location in the United States
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| Location | E side of Sapelo Island, Hog Hammock, Georgia |
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| Area | 427 acres (173 ha) |
| Built | 1878 |
| NRHP reference No. | 96000917 |
| Added to NRHP | September 6, 1996 |
Hog Hammock is a special African-American community located on Sapelo Island. This island is a natural barrier island off the coast of Georgia, in the United States. It's a unique place where history and community spirit are very strong.
The community of Hog Hammock, sometimes called Hogg Hummock, has homes, a general store, and even a public library. There are also small businesses, including places where visitors can stay. Two active churches are important parts of the community: St. Luke Baptist Church, started in 1885, and First African Baptist Church, which began in 1866. The First African Baptist Church also uses an older building from 1900 for special events.
Most people who live in Hog Hammock full-time are African Americans known as Gullah-Geechees. They are descendants of West African people who were brought to the island long ago, in the 1700s and 1800s. These ancestors worked on large farms called plantations. In 2009, about 47 Gullah-Geechee residents lived here full-time.
Life in Hog Hammock is a bit different. Residents need to bring most of their supplies from the mainland. They can also buy things at the small island store. For school, children from Hog Hammock take a ferry to the mainland. From there, they ride a bus to school, because the island's own school closed in 1978.
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Discovering Hog Hammock's Rich History
Hog Hammock is a very old community with a deep history. It has been an African community for over 200 years. This long history is important to the people who live there.
Preserving Culture with SICARS
Hog Hammock is home to the Sapelo Island Cultural and Revitalization Society, Inc. (SICARS). This is a non-profit group that works to protect and improve the Hogg Hummock Community. SICARS was started in 1993 by people who live on Sapelo Island and their descendants.
The main goal of SICARS is to teach visitors about the island's history. They want everyone to know that Sapelo has been an African community for a very long time. SICARS became an official organization in 1994. Every third Saturday in October, they host a fun Cultural Day festival.
The Hog Hammock Public Library
SICARS also helped start the Hog Hammock Public Library in 2002. The library became its own organization in 2006. It is now part of the Three Rivers Regional Library System. The library is located in an old two-room schoolhouse. It has over 2,500 books and materials, including a special collection about Sapelo Island's heritage.
Hog Hammock: A Historic Place
The entire Hog Hammock community, which covers about 427 acres (173 ha), was recognized as a special historic place in 1996. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places as the Hog Hammock Historic District.
In 1996, the district included many important historic buildings and sites. Most of the historic homes are small, simple, one-story buildings. They are often covered with wooden siding. These homes show the traditional building styles of the community.
Protecting the Community's Future
In recent years, people from the mainland have started buying land in Hog Hammock. They often build vacation homes. This has led to some challenges for the Gullah-Geechee residents.
For example, in 2012, property taxes for Hog Hammock residents increased a lot. This was difficult for many families. The community worked together to address these tax increases. In 2022, a solution was reached. Some residents' property taxes were frozen until 2025. The county also agreed to improve emergency services and road maintenance on the island.
In 2023, there were changes to the rules about how big homes could be built in Hog Hammock. This decision was made by McIntosh County. It meant that new homes could be much larger than before. The community continues to work hard to protect its unique heritage and way of life.
Sapelo Island's Location
Sapelo Island is a coastal barrier island. It is located near the port of Darien, Georgia. This is about 45 miles (72 km) south of the city of Savannah.
