May 1, 2022: Blythe Island A tale of two histories

 We started our tour on Sunday with "the cottages" tour. These were the elaborate dwelling of the rich and famous who settled the island as a hunting preserve 1878 until WWII. They lived in luxurious conditions throughout that time, spending winters on the island for their exclusive use. What also caught my eye was the entourage of servants they brought with them to support their lifestyle. They had electricity and indoor plumbing early on. The pictures below depict one of the cottages. The cabinet is an ice box (ice on top to keep food cold). This was one of the few houses who had a kitchen. Most cottages did not as everyone ate at the club house.  You can read more about the history here

Another interesting story was the segregation on the island once the State took over the Island after WWII. Many of those hired to work on the Island were African Americans. (at 20% less pay than their White counterparts). They lived on the island in a Jim Crow South. What to do? They had their own housing area and own beach. The beach was name St. Andrew's beach and was quite popular. Eventually they built their own clubhouse, the Dolphin house where renowned Jazz musicians would come to play. Very interesting history that you can read about here

Then there is the backs on which the Island was built, the enslaved workers. In 1735, Major Horton was given a large land grant on the island. He started out with indentured servants, but then eventual became an enslaver. He established the first plantation. The plantation era started in 1792 with DuBignon family. They held the plantation up until the end of the civil war. It was a descendent of this family whose idea was to turn the island into an exclusive hunting preserve for the wealthy. Most egregious was one of the last slave ships.. "The Wanderer" landed here. Those kidnapped suffered incredible inhumane conditions. Some of the crew and the owners were tried for illegal shipping of enslaved workers. They all were acquitted. 

It would be important to read about the Gullah Geechee heritage, who originated from mainly the rice growing nations in Africa, were isolated on the southern islands where they were enslaved and held onto their culture which is thriving today. 

This is a painting depicting conditions on "The Wanderer" below if you enlarge you can read some of that history and some descendants' stories.