Whitemarsh Island, Georgia, with a population of just under 6,900 may appear on the map as a quiet stretch of coastal terrain east of Savannah, but this barrier island conceals layers of Civil War history, ecological depth, and local flavor.
What sets Whitemarsh Island apart isn't just its proximity to historic Savannah but its own legacy and quirks that give it a separate identity. A defining moment occurred in 1862, when Confederate soldiers at Causton’s Bluff fired upon Union scouts approaching via Tybee Island. These encounters didn’t just punctuate the region’s Civil War narrative—they imprinted Whitemarsh Island with a significance that military historians still study today. The bluff itself, now overtaken by time and vegetation, was once a watchpoint with artillery that guarded the backdoor to Savannah. Unlike many similar sites that have been developed or paved over, the bluff remains mostly intact, offering quiet testimony to a chaotic past.
Once you pass through the remnants of wartime strategy, what emerges is a landscape shaped by the water as much as by human hands. The tidal creeks—Turner Creek, Richardson Creek, and the Wilmington River—surround Whitemarsh Island with shifting patterns of salt marsh and brackish water. The Whitemarsh Preserve, also called the Demere Tract, weaves together more than six miles of looping trails. These trails are sometimes only wide enough for single-file hiking or biking and dip into marshland so quietly that one can hear the change in bird calls between canopy and estuary. Notably, it's one of the few preserves in Chatham County where native pitcher plants still grow wild.
Where natural beauty is abundant, cultural offerings follow close behind. The Art Center of Wilmington Island has operated since the mid-1960s, long before the island saw its modern suburban development. The center curates exhibitions from regional artists and runs workshops ranging from raku pottery firing to gelatin monoprinting. Unlike larger city art centers, Whitemarsh’s draws in a hyperlocal crowd—retired teachers, hobbyist painters, teens experimenting with oil pastels.
A few times a year, this creative spirit spills into the outdoor space during community events, though none matches the appeal of the Wilmington Island Farmers' Market held nearby. Though technically just outside Whitemarsh Island’s lines, this weekly market is seen by residents as part of their own landscape. During spring and fall Saturdays, the gravel lot transforms into a small maze of vendor tents. It’s common to see fresh quail eggs beside artisan goat cheese, or to overhear a local beekeeper explaining pollen sources while pouring golden clover honey into jars.
When it comes to eating out, Whitemarsh Island skips the chains in favor of local institutions. Auspicious Baking Company recently opened a second location here, bringing with it a cult following from Savannah. Customers enjoy kouign-amann with a honey glaze or savory danishes filled with roasted tomato and whipped ricotta. For those looking for a more substantial meal, The Steakhouse on Whitemarsh offers a menu that’s both traditional and local in sensibility. Beyond its signature bone-in ribeye, the menu includes starters like crab-stuffed mushrooms and seasonal specials such as seared duck breast with fig compote. One dish that’s developed a quiet following is their low country surf-and-turf—featuring grilled filet paired with shrimp caught off Sapelo Island.
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