Kilkenny (Richmond Hill, Georgia) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Kilkenny
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 Location in Georgia (U.S. state)
Location in the United States
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| Nearest city | Richmond Hill, Georgia |
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| Area | 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| NRHP reference No. | 79000700 |
| Added to NRHP | February 14, 1979 |
Kilkenny (say "Kill-Cainey") is a really old and important property in Bryan County, Georgia. It's so special that it's listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which means it's officially recognized for its history.
Contents
Kilkenny's Story Through Time
Early Days and Plantations
This large property, about 662 acres, has a long history. It was owned by Thomas Young starting around 1758. This was even before the American Revolutionary War began! After Young passed away, his estate sold Kilkenny in 1836. It was bought by Charles Rogers, who used the land to grow a special type of cotton called Sea Island cotton. Around 1845, Rogers built a wooden house on the property. This house is still standing today!
The Civil War and New Owners
During the U.S. Civil War, a Union gunboat fired cannons at the property from the nearby Bear River. This shows how important the area was during that time.
After the war, Kilkenny changed hands a few times. James M. Butler bought it in 1874. Then, in 1890, James H. Furber took over.
The Kilkenny Club and Restoration
When James H. Furber bought Kilkenny, it became home to the Kilkenny Club. This was a group of seven friends who used the plantation and its house for summer fishing trips. They even drilled a well in 1889.
By 1913, the house was in pretty bad shape. It was sold to a Mr. R. C. Paschall. Later, a former governor of Tennessee, John Cox, owned the property. The famous car maker Henry Ford bought Kilkenny in 1930. He had the house carefully fixed up and restored it to its former glory as a private home.
On February 14, 1979, Kilkenny was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's a protected site because of its important history.
Where is Kilkenny?
Kilkenny is located east of Richmond Hill, Georgia. You can find it at the very end of Kilkenny Road, right on the western shore of Kilkenny Creek. The property faces the creek and looks out over beautiful tidal salt marshes. Beyond these marshes, you can see St. Catherines Island and Ossabaw Island. The location also has access to St. Catherine's Sound. There's even a nearby station that measures tides, and it's named after the Kilkenny Club!
