Serene Savannah: A Walk Along Bluff Drive

 













 

 

Savannah is a city by the sea, but the sea is not the only source of waterfront living.  A myriad of tidal rivers and creeks separate the city from the ocean and offer the best of slow, serene living.  One of my favorite streets in all of Savannah is Bluff Drive, which runs adjacent to the Skidaway River on Isle of Hope.  Isle of Hope is not a true island, but is a bluff situated along the Intracoastal Waterway. 

Legends of pirate treasure surround the early days of Isle of Hope.  Records of residents date back to the founding of Savannah in 1733 when Noble Jones was granted a tract on the island that was eventually named Wormsloe, a plantation which is also on the National Register of Historic Places.  The Isle is also home to Bethesda, the oldest still-operating orphanage in the US.  Given its location, the area was perfectly suited to become a defensive battery protecting Savannah from the Spanish.  Another historic site is the Isle of Hope United Methodist Church, which was used as a Confederate encampment.

The history books note that Isle of Hope was established as a retreat against yellow fever outbreaks for wealthy Savannah families in the mid-1800s.  In 1871, a railroad connected Savannah with Isle of Hope and soon thereafter, many families chose to live there year-round.  Isle of Hope has also been named to the National Register, one of the many historic districts in Savannah.  The entire area is around two square miles and today its permanent residents number approximately 2500 Savannahians.  Like no other area in Savannah, Isle of Hope boasts picture perfect cottages side by side with glorious manors and mansions.  The only commercial venture around is the Isle of Hope Marina.

The scenery offers such beauty that the area has been included in several Hollywood films: Glory, Cape Fear (original), The Last of the Belles, Forrest Gump, and The Last Song.

A visit to Bluff Drive calls the visitor out of the car and onto the street for a stroll.  The best way to absorb the beauty is on foot.  Everything that is beloved about Savannah is there:  majestic oak trees covered in Spanish moss; gorgeous vistas of the river, marina, and private docks; and the most interesting collection of Greek Revival, Victorian, Neoclassic, and Craftsman Bungalow styled homes grouped in a single neighborhood.  In addition, several antebellum homes have survived there.  In a world where everyone is always in a hurry, Bluff Drive serves as a reminder to slow down and simply enjoy being alive.  It’s a place where you’ll always finding people out walking and knowing you neighbor is as easy as taking a break aside any of the picket fences.