Sapelo Island is the fourth largest Georgia barrier island, located 7 1/2
northeast of Darien, the reserve is made up of salt marsh, maritime forest, and
beach and dune areas. This island is rich not only in natural history, but in
human history dating back 4,000 years.
Research on Sapelo Island by the University of Georgia Marine Institute is
now in its' 39th year. Work is conducted by eight full-time scientists and more than 60 visiting scientists. Studies
of the microbial processes, biochemistry, and
populating dynamics are conducted throughout the year. The following information
is gratefully acknowledged and accredited to The Sapelo Island National
Estuarine Research Reserve and administered by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources' Wildlife Resources
Division and Parks, Recreation and Historic Sites Division on Sapelo Island: Sapelo is the fourth largest of Georgia's
barrier
islands. All but 400 acres now belongs to the State of Georgia. Three major
programs are conducted on Sapelo: *the 8,240 acre R. J. Reynolds State Wildlife
Refuge, managed by DNR, *the University of Georgia's Marine Institute program
for the study of wetlands and nearshore environments, and *the Sapelo Island
National Estuarine Research Reserve created by the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in 1976.
Sapelo is one of Georgia's barrier islands, so called because they protect the mainland from the sea. Beginning
as a series of shoreline dunes and ridges, they were formed from the sand carried by river currents downstream and
deposited in the deltas. During the Pleistocene Epoch, or "Great Ice Age", rising sea levels
slowly flooded the low coastal areas behind this string of dunes. The Georgia
coastal plain and continental shelf were alternately eroded and flooded as these
glaciers grew and melted. Sapelo formed during two consecutive high stands of
the sea. Carbon dating of shells found in Sapelo Island indicate main island
formation occurred 25,000-30,000 years ago. The island is everchanging, in
response to seasonal patterns of winds, waves, tides and occasional hurricanes.
The Chocolate Plantation ruins are located here, just south of the High point
fronting on Mud River on the northwest shore of Sapelo, with its' view toward
Creighton Island and the mainland. Documented evidence resulting from extensive
research by Department of Natural Resources historian Kenneth H. Thomas of
Atlanta, and others, has helped to lay to rest, the popular myth concerning the
name "Chocolate" being attributed to a Negro slave corruption of "LeChatalet."
The French Sapelo referred to the tract as "Chocolate" long before slaves called
the tract "Chocolate". Interesting history is often recounted in the Hog Hammock community of
Sapelo. Visitors may opt to stay at "The Weekender" or simply plan a day trip.
Links:
Sapelo Island National Estuarine
Reserve
Sapelo Island Research and
Information
Sapelo Island Lighthouse
Altamaha Coastal Tours
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