Butler Island Plantation

Butler Island Plantation is a former rice cultivation site located along the Altamaha River delta in Georgia. Ruins of farm buildings and surrounding wetlands remain visible across the landscape.

Major Pierce Butler, a Founding Father, established this rice operation in the early 1800s. After his death in 1822, the property changed ownership and operational direction.

Frances Kemble visited and documented the lives of enslaved people working there in her writings. Her accounts reveal the daily conditions and experiences of those forced to labor on the property.

The site is managed by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and welcomes visitors to explore its grounds. Walking paths allow you to move through the property and observe both the historical remains and surrounding natural areas.

In 1859, one of the largest recorded sales of enslaved people took place here. Known as the Weeping Time, this auction event stands as a stark moment in the property's history.

GPS coordinates: 31.35472,-81.44649

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:52