History of Woodside Plantation
EST. 1870
Woodside Plantation is located in the plantation corridor that runs inland from Savannah, Georgia along the South Carolina (SC) side of the Savannah River. Plantations, farms and timberlands dot this stretch of land for more than a hundred miles. The town of Estill is nearby. Woodside covers 967 acres and includes a magnificent Colonial Revival house built in the late 1800’s and situated at the end of a scenic oak-lined drive.
The plantation was originally part of a 75,000-acre land grant in 1737. According to legend after the Civil War an architect gave the house plans to the owner as a wedding gift, but the architect's name is unknown. The house was built circa 1870 and has been immaculately restored. Features include large porches, a copper roof, hardwood floors, several fireplaces, a totally modern kitchen, cypress molding, ceilings and panels, a gun room, study, and a remarkable oval entrance hall. The dining room mural was painted by Jennifer Rempel of Pittsburg in 1974 and contains only wildlife and plants indigenous to Woodside. A pool fed by clear artesian spring water sits in the side yard.
Other Improvements include a large barn circa 1870. The outside of the barn is original and covers a unique gunroom, apartment, kitchen, and dining area. Hunters gather at this location prior to all hunts for safety instruction. A guest cottage overlooks a lake nearby and a caretaker's house sits along the main drive. There is a modern facility with a complete woodshop and a large equipment area. A ten run dog kennel and flight pen is nearby. Quail and hunted in the pine woodlands and there is a large dove field that is known to be one of the best in the county.
The southern portion of the plantation covers 505 acres and called Turkey Creek. This is a major hunting area and abounds with deer and turkeys. The Turkey Creek Lodge is located in scenic woodlands by a pond. Only a short distance away is a beautiful floodable duck impoundment. Game patches and deer stands are located all around the Turkey Creek tract.
The two tracts together make a great combination with quail and doves on the north parcel and deer, turkey and ducks on the south. Both the Woodside and Turkey Creek tracts are protected by conservation easements with The Nature Conservancy.
