Whitemarsh Island in Chatham County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
Cane Grinder
The cane grinder consists of a crusher made of two solid steel cylinders that crush the sugar cane and squeeze out the juice. The sugar cane stalks are fed one at a time between the drums in a continuous process that only stops when fresh cane needs to be brought to the grinder or the barrels need to be emptied. A tin chute about 66-8 inches long and 8 inches deep catches the juice and directs it into a barrel.
The grinder is run by horse power. From time to time the farmer would have to tell Ol' Dobbin to "git along there," as the horse plodded round and round in a never-ending circle to squeeze the juice out of the stalks.
The sugar cane harvest often turned into a community celebration as families gathered with their loads of cane to be crushed and made into syrup. The whole process could take several days and a festival air surrounded the work in progress.
Erected by Oatland Island Wildlife Center; donated by the Junior League of Savannah, Inc.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Animals • Notable Events.
Location. 32° 3.081′ N,
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Georgia’s Coastal Plain, on the Georgia Coast and the Golden Isles, in Greater Savannah, and on the Sea Islands. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Deep South, and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Cane Boiler (a few steps from this marker); Delk-Dawson Heritage Homestead (a few steps from this marker); The Delk Cabin (a few steps from
Credits. This page was last revised on May 31, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 31, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 9 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 31, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
