The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1902-07-01
FOR A SHELL ROAD
WHITMARSH AND WILMINGTON
PROPERTY OWNERS PETITION.
FERRY AT THUNDERB0LT
AND SHELL ROAD TO SOUTH END
OF WILMINGTON ISLAND.

Would Mean Development of n Rich
Truck Farming Territory and an
Attractive Residence Section of
the COunty-$135,OOO of Products
From the Two Islands Annually.
This Amount Doubled With Safe
and Adequate Means of COmmuni-
cution-PrOperty Owners viii Do
mite Rights of Way, Timber for
Bridge and Most of Shells Requir-
ed.
The property owners and residents
of Wilmington and Whitmarsh Islands
and business men of Savannah will pc
tition the County Commissioners at
their next meeting for the rebuilding
of the old military road from oppo-
site Thunderbolt across Whitmarsn
TO Wilmington Island, and the
present public road on Wilmington
Island to the South End, with view to
providing better communication be-
tween these islands and Savannah.
The distance from Thunderbolt by
the route proposed is. about six miles.
There is about half mile of hard
marsh on Whitmarsh Island, opposite
Thunderbolt, and on the other side, and
a bridge will have to be built between
Wilmington and Whitmarsh. Other
wise the present roads are in such
condition that the regarding would
not be a difficult or costly work and
the procuring of shells for the she'll
ing of the roads would be a small cost.
In fact, an offer will be made by the
Oemler factory, on Wilmington, to
furnish free one-half the shells, pro-
vided they are moved at once by the
county.
With shell road from opposite
Thunderbolt to the south end of Will
mington and ferry at Thun-
derbolt, which the petitioners for the
improvement propose shall cross the
river from near Ambos' wharf, would
come, it is believed, a rapid develop
ment of the two islands. Both are rich
fields for truck growing There are
about $500 acres of tillable land On
Wilmington Island. While Whitmarsh
has a larger area, there are probably
not over 1000 acres. of tillable land
Wilmington has a population during
the summer of about 1000 white peo-
pie, and during the entire year of zoo
to 800 colored. The population of Whit
marsh is almost entirely colored.
The product of the two islands,
which is principally vegetables and
oysters, is about $135,000 a year, one
company alone on Wilmington doing a
business of 100000 annually.
The lack of communication, except by
steamer or sail boat, which
in bad weather is uncertain and haz-
ardous, has prevented a development
of the islands for truck growing and
the oyster industry. A shell road
from Thunderbolt to the south end OF
Wilmington and a ferry at Thunder
bolt which will follow Immediately the
decision of the County Commissioners
to build the road, would mean a large
increase in the population of the isl
ands. There are about thirty houses
at the south end of Wilmington now
which are occupied only three or -four
months on the year. The Oemler com
pany employees about 800 hands, bu
has to provide its own means of com
munication with Savannah. The de-
STABILITY of the island as a residence
place is recognized and with adequate
means of communication it is believed
the population would be doubled in {
year.
The property owners on the island!
propose to donate the land for the righ
of way for the road wherever it i:
| needed and will furnish free the tim
Der for the bridge between Whining
ton and Whitmarsh.