Island Heritage Under One Great Oak

Majestic live oak at 521 Arnold Road

Purchased in 2014 by the Land Trust, this postage-stamp green-space is a favorite of many longtime island residents. The property's original owners, Wayne and Beth Simpson , couldn’t bear the thought of the 200-year-old live oak being axed for development, and the Land Trust was thrilled to step up to the preservation plate.

Since the .15-acre lot was purchased, several different species of plants have been installed on the property including palmetto and wax-myrtle that were donated by Southeast Nursery. These plants provide food and shelter for birds and insects. The live oak canopy provides particularly important habitat for resident and neo-tropical migratory songbirds, and the large live oak that is the property's centerpiece also contributes to the island's iconic tree canopy and scenic buffer along Arnold and Demere Roads.

This protected parcel of land is a green "oasis" in an otherwise densely developed area of single family residences and condominium developments.

Addition of native wax-myrtle - April 2018

Although small, the Arnold Road property is also important in its role of incorporating "green infrastructure" into the St. Simons Island community. Green infrastructure is defined as an interconnected network of natural areas and other open spaces that conserves natural ecosystem values and functions, sustains clean air and water, and provides an array of other benefits to people and wildlife.

Historically, the lot was likely part of the antebellum sea island cotton plantation, Kelvin Grove. More recently, in the early to mid-20th Century, this property and surrounding land was home to a night club called Melody Lounge as well as a "rooming house" that housed mostly Sea Island and King and Prince employees.

"I'm grateful the Land Trust purchased the property because it has significance to the community. People can go back to the tree, remember all that happened on that corner, and share that with their children. It's a wonderful thing!"

-- Amy Roberts, executive director of the African American Heritage Coalition

The large live oak that Amy Roberts referred to is known by locals as the “Hiring Tree" because, according to legend, unemployed construction workers often stood beneath its limbs hoping that contractors and other employers needing day laborers would tap some of the men in the early mornings for temporary jobs.

"The whole corner was important because it was in the middle of the south-end community," adds Amy Roberts, "People went there to get hired, but they also went there for entertainment and to socialize with the community - all in one spot."

Today, children love running about on the lawn, and families love its proximity to the beaches. In addition, the roughly six-acre Demere Park, that accommodates active recreation (e.g. skate-boarding, baseball, etc.), is located just across Demere Road.

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If you're interested in learning more about

the rich history of the Golden Isles,

please read below.

GULLAH GEECHEE HERITAGE

IN THE GOLDEN ISLES

The Golden Isles are home to a long and proud African American and Gullah Geechee heritage . Ibo Landing was the site of a mass suicide in protest of slavery, the slave ship Wanderer landed on Jekyll Island and, thanks to preservation efforts, the Historic Harrington School still stands on St. Simons Island. From the Selden Normal and Industrial Institute to the tabby cabins of Hamilton Plantation, authors Amy Roberts and Patrick Holladay explore the rich history of the region's islands and their people, including such local notables as Deaconess Alexander, Jim Brown, Neptune Small, Hazel Floyd and the Georgia Sea Island Singers.