The Cassina Gardens are situated on the south end of Saint Simons Island known as Gascoigne Bluff. Located on a bend of the Frederica River, this mile-long bluff offered vessels the first landing place after they entered Saint Simons Sound. Because of its location, Gascoigne Bluff has been witness to Saint Simons Island history.

• Late Archaic Period • 5,000 years ago • Remnants of shell rings still remain

• Guale’s Chiefdom Era • 1500s • Guale Village of Guadalquini established

• Spanish Control • 1600s • Home of two Spanish Missions

• English Control • 1736 • James Oglethorpe established Ft. Frederica

• Plantation Era • 1780-1861 • Plantations chiefly grow rice and cotton

• Civil War Era • 1861-1870 • Industry transition from agriculture to lumber

• Lumber Industry • 1890-1903 • Dart & Dodge families revive lumber industry

• Tourism • 1890 - Present

Gascoigne Bluff was named for Captain James Gascoigne, commander of the British sloop “Hawk,” who escorted General Oglethorpe safely to St. Simons Island. The Bluff became a storehouse for marine supplies, ship repair facilities, and, in effect, was Georgia’s first naval base.

During the Plantation Era, there were 14 plantations on Saint Simons Island. Hamilton Plantation was developed in 1793 by James Hamilton into one of the largest of these cotton plantations. An archeological study of the site reveals there were six tabby slave cabins built around 1830 overlooking the Frederica River to house some of the enslaved who lived and worked here. Two of these cabins still stand today.

Following the Civil War, the structures were used for mill offices and other purposes as the area became active in the production and shipping of lumber. Known as the “Mill Days,” the period from the early 1870s through the first decade of the 20th century saw the old plantation lands converted into lumber mills and wharves. By 1900, a record number of 112 million feet of timber were shipped from the mills in Darien and Saint Simons Island. As the “Mill Days” ended, use of the cabins waned. One cabin remained a residence of a former slave until her death, and the other was abandoned until 1932 when Glynn County Commissioners gave permission for the Cassina Garden Club to begin meeting there.

Thanks to the historical restorations done from 2014-2018, and the constant care from Cassina members, this site will continue to tell the history of Saint Simons Island and Coastal Georgia.