White Bluff, Georgia facts for kids

White Bluff was a group of small communities in Chatham County, Georgia, United States. These communities included Nicholsonboro, Rose Dhu, Twin Hill, and Cedar Grove. Today, White Bluff is part of the larger city of Savannah. In 1940, about 400 people lived in the White Bluff area.

What Was White Bluff Like?

White Bluff was known as a peaceful community. It was described in a 1940 study called Drums and Shadows: Survival Studies Among the Georgia Coastal Negroes. The study noted how moss-hung oak trees created a beautiful, shady cover over the main road.

Where Was White Bluff Located?

The communities of White Bluff were located around White Bluff Road. This road was about eight miles southeast of the city of Savannah.

How Did White Bluff Begin?

Many older residents of White Bluff in 1940 had a unique history. They were people who had been enslaved on a large farm on St. Catherines Island. After the Civil War, in 1865, General Sherman issued a special order. This order, called Sherman's Special Field Orders, No. 15, set aside land for formerly enslaved people. St. Catherines Island was one of these places.

However, in 1868, the island's former owner, Jacob Waldburg, got the island back. Because of this, many of the formerly enslaved people moved from St. Catherines Island to White Bluff. They started new lives there.

What Was White Bluff Like in the Past?

An old book from 1869, Historical Record of the City of Savannah, tells us more about White Bluff. It mentions that the community had two hotels and several summer homes. This suggests it might have been a popular place for people to visit or live during warmer months. The book also states that a Dutch settlement existed in the same location as early as 1740.