Hitch Village/Fred Wessels Homes in Savannah in Chatham County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
The Trustees' Garden
Photographed By Mike Stroud, April 28, 2009
1. The Trustees' Garden Marker
At this site was located the first public agricultural experimental garden in America. From this garden was disseminated the upland cotton which later comprised the greater part of the world`s cotton commerce. Here were propagated and from this garden distributed, the peach trees which gave Georgia and South Carolina another major commercial crop.
The garden consisted of ten acres. It was established by Oglethorpe within one month after the settlement of Georgia. Botanists were sent by the Trustees of the Colony from England to the West Indies and South America to procure plants for the garden. Vine cuttings, flax, hemp, potashes, indigo, cochineal, olives, and medicinal herbs were grown. The greatest hope was centered in the mulberry trees, essential to silk culture. In the early days of the Colony, Queen Caroline was clothed in Georgia silk, and the town`s largest structure was the filature.
The silk and wine industries failed to materialize. The distant sponsors were unable to judge of the immense importance of the experiments conducted in other products. In 1755 the site was developed as a residential section.
Erected 1952 by Gerogia Historical Commission. (Marker Number 025-2.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture
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Location. 32° 4.701′ N, 81° 5.016′ W. Marker is in Savannah, Georgia, in Chatham County. It is in Hitch Village/Fred Wessels Homes. Marker can be reached from East Broad St.. 1/2 block south of Bay St., far east end of Pirate's House Parking lot. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Savannah GA 31401, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Old Pirates House (within shouting distance of this marker); New World Medical Plants (within shouting distance of this marker); The Georgia Medical Society (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Old Harbor Light (about 500 feet away); Savannah's Early Economy (about 500 feet away); a different marker also named The Georgia Medical Society (about 500 feet away); Washington Fire Company (about 500 feet away); Native Americans on the Georgia Coast (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Savannah.
Also see . . . The Trustees’ Garden
Photographed By Mike Stroud, April 28, 2009
2. The Trustees' Garden Marker, in the Pirate's House parking lot
Photographed By Mike Stroud, May 3, 2012
3. The Trustees' Garden Marker
Photographed By Mike Stroud, March 2008
4. The Trustees' Garden Overhead Sign (L), seen along E. Broad St.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 18, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 9, 2009, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,748 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 9, 2009, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 3. submitted on June 3, 2012, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 4. submitted on May 9, 2009, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
