Whitemarsh Island in Chatham County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
The Delk Cabin
The Delk Cabin was originally built by David Delk Jr. in 1835 and was located in the Taylor's Creek Community near Gum Branch, Georgia. The cabin was relocated to Oatland Island Education Center in 1979 with the help of the Youth Conservation Corps (YCC).
Notice the main cabin layout. This is known as the "Scottish/Irish Plan" (aka "the shot-gun style"). The cabin has two doors exactly opposite each other. Based on studies of medieval Scottish homes, this plan was favored because it allowed for cows to be brought in during bad weather and milked! It is doubtful that this was practiced in the Americas.
The Delk cabin, like other pioneer homes, was built with materials that were locally available. In Gum Branch, Georgia, it was likely Longleaf pine (Pinus pilustris) or possibly bald cypress (Taxodium distichum). Old growth heart pine has a high resin concentration which makes it rot and insect resistant. Bald cypress is also known for its rot and insect resistant qualities.
Like the materials used for the cabin construction, the chimney/fireplace was built from what was available in the region. The coastal plain
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Erected by Oatland Island Wildlife Center; donated by the Junior League of Savannah, Inc.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1835.
Location. 32° 3.09′ N, 81° 1.17′ W. Marker is on Whitemarsh Island, Georgia, in Chatham County. It can be reached from Barley Drive west of Sandtown Road, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 711 Barley Dr, Savannah GA 31410, United States of America. Touch for directions.
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
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Cane Boiler (a few steps from this marker); Cane Grinder (a few steps from this marker); Delk-Dawson Heritage Homestead (within shouting distance of this marker); EF-1 Tornado Strikes! (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named EF-1 Tornado Strikes! (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Great Egret / Snowy Egret (about 500 feet away); Gray Wolf (approx. 0.2 miles away); Ossabaw Island Hog (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Whitemarsh Island.
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 13 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 31, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. A photo of the cabin. • Can you help?
