Richmond Hill has plenty of hidden gems, detailing its rich history

Latrice Williams, Savannah Morning News
Updated ·4 min read
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The Richmond Hill History Museum is photographed.
The Richmond Hill History Museum is photographed.
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Savannah may be one of the top tourist attractions in the state but its neighbor in Richmond Hill generated more than $130 million in 2022 in tourism dollars.

Food and beverage clinched the highest percentage of those dollars, as tourists spent $33 million while dining.

“You can dine around the world in Richmond Hill,” said Christy Sherman, executive director of the Richmond Hill Convention and Visitor Bureau. “We have Thai, Indian, Peruvian, Mexican, Japanese food and more.”

Butter chicken and curry chicken are two of the most popular dishes in Indian Culture. Pulkit Chawla, owner of Himalayan Curry Kitchen, said his recipes are true to Indian cuisine.
Butter chicken and curry chicken are two of the most popular dishes in Indian Culture. Pulkit Chawla, owner of Himalayan Curry Kitchen, said his recipes are true to Indian cuisine.

The city's proximity to I-95, fine dining options and historical sites make for a good day trip from tourist-heavy Savannah and Hilton Head Island as well as other points along Georgia's coast.

“We are located close to the highway, so if someone is going to or coming from Florida they may want to stop here,” said Sherman. "Often times people who are visiting Savannah take a day trip to Richmond Hill to see our historical and natural resources."

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If you're planning a day trip or need a stop on a long drive, here are three don't miss spots in Richmond Hill:

A canon at Fort McAllister Park is photographed.
A canon at Fort McAllister Park is photographed.

Fort McAllister State Park

Nestled long a bend in the Ogeechee River, the area now known as Fort McAllister State Park signified the end of Union Gen. William T. Sherman’s March to the Sea during the last year of the Civil War. The 285-mile voyage from Atlanta to Savannah was Gen. Sherman's "scorched earth" military campaign to cripple the Confederacy.

Now, the site has become a popular spot for tourists and locals alike. The 1,725-acre park features a Civil War museum, fishing piers, hiking, kayaking and the award-winning seafood restaurant, Fish Tales, at the marina.

“Fort McAllister is one of only three parks in the state that is both a historic site and a state park combined,” said Sherman. “Visitors can learn the rich history as well as camping, birding, boating and other outdoor activities. Visitors to the historic site can explore underground bunkers and secret tunnels.”

This rare photo takes a look inside the old Henry Ford schoolhouse.
This rare photo takes a look inside the old Henry Ford schoolhouse.

Richmond Hill Historical Society and Museum

What was once the Ford Kindergarten school building is now a site that tells the story of the town’s beginnings, when it was known as Ways Station. Now the home of the Richmond Hill Historical Society and Museum, it was built in 1940 by auto magnate Henry Ford, as he began looking for a place to build his winter home far from the brutal cold of Detroit.

After acquiring more than 85,000 acres of property and breaking ground on what he would call his Richmond Hill Plantation, Ford began building key facilities such as a post office, courthouse and schools to support the agricultural and social functions in one of the poorest areas along the southeastern coast.

Residents in the community petitioned the post office to rename the town Richmond Hill in 1941. “Visitors can see displays inside including the many personal stories and artifacts from the Ford era, as well as learning about Indigenous People, rice cultivation on the Ogeechee, the Civil War and more,” said Sherman. “One of the newest exhibits features William and Ellen Craft, who made a daring escape from slavery and later settled in Bryan County to establish the Woodville Cooperative Farm School 1873.”

A historical marker provides history about Martha Mary Chapel in Richmond Hill, which was founded by Henry and Clara Ford.
A historical marker provides history about Martha Mary Chapel in Richmond Hill, which was founded by Henry and Clara Ford.

Driving Trail

Richmond Hill’s history is spread throughout town, so visitors do not have the luxury of walking from one site to the next. But the driving trail allows tourists to see the hidden gems scattered through the city. More than two dozen attractions are listed in the Coastal Bryan Heritage Trail to include Rice Cultivation on the Ogeechee River, Folly Farms and Martha-Mary Chapel.

“Visitors along the driving trail are fascinated by the story of each stop, many tied to Henry and Clara Ford,” said Sherman. “While the Ford-era buildings are interesting to view, it’s the personal stories that reveal the Fords’ empathy and commitment to positive change, even in unlikely places like the rural South. Understanding the stories about community development, healthcare, education, and opportunity the Fords provided adds layers of appreciation for their legacy beyond the automotive industry.”

Latrice Williams is a general assignment reporter covering Bryan and Effingham County. She can be reached at lwilliams6@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Hundreds of tourists flock to Richmond Hill each year