Crescent in McIntosh County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

Baisden's Bluff Academy

Photographed by Mike Stroud, September 2008

1. Baisden's Bluff Academy Marker

Inscription. Located a short distance East of here, near the River, Baisden`s Bluff Academy was the main educational institution in McIntosh County in the early years of the 19th century. A Boarding School, operating the year round, its roll held the names of prominent families of this county and from the adjoining areas. "Mr. Linder" was Principal. General Francis Hopkins, Wm. A. Dunham, James Dunwoody, James Smith and Jacob Wood were Commissioners. In 1823 torrential rains washed the dormitory into the river, leaving a ravine which can still be seen. The school never recovered.

Erected 1957 by Georgia Historical Commission. (Marker Number 095-12.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Education • Notable Places. In addition, it is included in the Georgia Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1823.

Location. 31° 30.587′ N, 81° 21.988′ W. Marker is in Crescent, Georgia, in McIntosh County. It is on Ridge Road (State Highway 99) near Old Donelly Road (County Route 52), on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Crescent GA 31304, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Coastal Plain and on the Georgia Coast and the Golden Isles.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

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 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Old Belleville or Troup Cemetery

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(approx. 1.8 miles away); Captain William McIntosh (approx. 2.6 miles away); Colonel John McIntosh (approx. 2.6 miles away); Sapelo Island (approx. 3.8 miles away); Old Court House at Sapelo Bridge (approx. 3.9 miles away); John Houstoun McIntosh (approx. 4.4 miles away); Rice Hope (approx. 4.4 miles away); Sutherland's Bluff (approx. 4½ miles away).

Another marker is no longer nearby. Mallow Plantation (was approx. 2.6 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

Additional commentary.
1. McIntosh County Academy
...the academy at Baisdens Bluff was established prior to 1815, for in 1825 it was recorded that, "the academy of this county has been established at Baisden's Bluff more than ten years, and during that period the best exertions of the commissioners have failed to keep it in operation more than half of that time." On 2 July 1820, all Academy records were lost in a fire at the store of their secretary, and that fall the commissioners were hard pressed to ascertain the balance due the Academy for sale and interest of land lots. Nevertheless in December certain alterations were planned

Baisden's Bluff Academy Marker near Old Donelly Rd image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, 2008

2. Baisden's Bluff Academy Marker near Old Donelly Rd

for the Academy at Baisdens Bluff. In addition, the ambitious undertaking of establishing four branches of the Academy in various parts of the county for poor children was resolved by the Commissioners, with the Darien branch located at the Masonic Hall. These free schools were suspended in January 1822. At the end of January 1831, the Commissioners announced that two children attached to the Female Asylum (Presbyterian) in Darien could receive instruction at the Academy free of charge.

Under Matthew Lindon, principal, the Academy at Baisdens Bluff appears to have prospered during the period 1822-1823. The building, a two story structure, measured thirty by sixty feet. A large classroom on the first floor, with twelve foot ceilings, also served as a place of worship on Sunday. The second floor, with nine foot ceilings, had eleven "lodging rooms." A chimney with four fire places on the south side had been added in 1820-21, along with a school room for boys.

Disaster struck in July 1823, when heavy rains undermined the bluff on which the Academy was situated. Nearly one third of the lot was washed away and the building itself fell into a ravine. Matthew Lindon died as the result of exposure while trying to save the school. School was resumed in January 1824 and on September 14-15, coastal Georgians experienced a disastrous hurricane The "tabby" building at Baisdens

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Bluff, which had been used for a school was abandoned as unfit and unsafe.

Source: Living on the Georgia Tidewater (Echoes June 1999) McIntosh County Academy, http://www.loweraltamahahistoricalsociety.org)

— Submitted September 16, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on September 13, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 2,294 times since then and 33 times this year. Last updated on October 14, 2012, by Ray King of Jacksonville, Florida. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 13, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.