History Of Ebenezer Creek

Salzburger Settlement

Ebenezer Creek is named for the abandoned historic settlements of Ebenezer and New Ebenezer, created in the earliest years of the Georgia colony by refugees from the city of Salzburg (in present-day Austria).

After a false start at a swampy and disease-ridden inland settlement chosen for them by colony founder James Oglethorpe, the Salzburgers moved to a new site near the Savannah River.

There, they proved to be proficient and successful colonists, whose agricultural achievements eclipsed those of most of the English colonists at the main Savannah site, and whose arrangements for the care of orphans were said to have inspired the creation of George Whitefield’s Bethesda orphanage.

The town of New Ebenezer was greatly damaged during the Revolutionary War, its fortunes declining thereafter until it was abandoned for good shortly before the Civil War. The Salzburger’s Church, however, survived and is still in active use. Completed in 1769, it is today the oldest continuously-used building in Georgia and together with its adjacent cemetery, the only remaining part of the former Salzburger settlement.

The Georgia Salzburger Society operates a small museum next door to the church (at 2980 Ebenezer Road) at which you can further explore the history of the area. As the museum’s hours are very limited, it is advisable to call ahead to verify it will be open before making a special trip. More details

Civil War Atrocity

During the closing stages of the Civil War, Ebenezer Creek was the site of a notorious mass drowning of African-Americans.

In December of 1864, Union troops were advancing on Savannah, the culmination of General Sherman’s weeks-long March to the Sea. In the wake of the army followed thousands of people fleeing slavery, hoping to find protection and permanent freedom through their association with the northern side.

To the Union army, they were an annoyance and a burden, as they consumed the troops’ food and slowed their passage through Georgia. As the army and its followers neared Savannah, Union Brigadier General Jefferson C Davis (who coincidentally shared his name with the Confederate president) chose a course of action that is now considered to have been a deliberate attempt to rid himself of the freed people.

On December 9, the soldiers arrived at Ebenezer Creek. Threatened by a unit of the Confederate cavalry, they constructed a series of pontoon bridges to enable them to cross the water and evade their pursuers. With his men on one side of the creek, but the refugees still on the other, Davis ordered the pontoons removed.

As the Confederate cavalrymen rode up in the rear of the gathered refugees, many of them panicked, plunging themselves into the cold waters of the creek. It is estimated that hundreds of the probably several thousand people there – men, women and children – were drowned.

At present, the site of the drownings, known as Ebenezer Crossing, is commemorated only by a historic marker. Plans to preserve Ebenezer Crossing as a park and improve access to the historic spot are underway, but current public access is exclusively by water.

Paddling Excursions To Ebenezer Creek

Ebenezer Creek is a peaceful and striking place to kayak, canoe or paddleboard, with beautiful scenery and an abundance of birds, fish and other wildlife. The slow, sheltered waters of the creek are an ideal spot for beginners.

The entire creek is around 13 miles long, and takes a full day to paddle. If you lack paddling experience and knowledge of the area, it is best to take a guided tour, as it is easy to get lost along the creek, especially when high waters allow access to the bordering swamp.

Advance reservations for these trips are usually required. Tour companies may be able to arrange transportation to the launch site from Savannah and its vicinity for an additional fee, please inquire directly.

If you want to make an independent trip, canoe and kayak rentals are available from Rincon-based Backwater Expeditions: single kayaks for $35 per day; 2-person canoes for $45 per day. Call 912-398-6930 for reservations.

A free self-guided audio tour app is provided by the Springfield Ebenezer Greenway. Find details of how to download the app here.

Ebenezer Creek By Kayak

Backwater Expeditions specializes in tours of Ebenezer Creek, with two tours available. A 2.5- to 3-hour tour navigates the upper part of the creek between Long Bridge and Tommy Long landings. A longer, 4.5- to 5-hour tour takes in the lower part of the creek between Tommy Long Landing and the Savannah River.

Tours are $200 for up to 4 people, and an additional $25 each for up to two additional paddlers. Groups of up to 30 can be accommodated, 1-2 weeks notice is required. Well-behaved pets are welcome. Call 912-398-6930 for reservations and additional information. More details

Savannah Canoe and Kayak offers two tour options to Ebenezer Creek, with 3-hour and 5-hour excursions available. 3-hour tours $79 per person, 5 hours $99. Call 912-341-9502 for reservations. More details of 3-hour or 5-hour tours.

Savannah Coastal EcoTours offers a 3 hour kayak tour of Ebenezer Creek departing from Tommy Long Boat Ramp. $300 for 1-4 people, plus $75 per additional person to a maximum of 17. Call 404-512-0040 for reservations. More details

Sea Kayak Georgia’s Ebenezer tour is 4 hours long. $80 per person for a minimum of 4 participants. Call 912-786-8732 for reservations. More details

South By Southeast Tours also offers an Ebenezer Creek tour, of 3 hours duration, from Tommy Long Boat Landing to the Savannah River. $75 per person. Call 912-376-9870 for reservations. More details

Ebenezer Creek By Canoe

Three local companies offer canoe tours of Ebenezer Creek.

Backwater Expeditions also offers its two kayak tours as above by canoe. $200 for 4 participants, $25 each for up to two additional participants, and larger groups by arrangement. Call 912-398-6930 for reservations. More details

Wilderness Southeast’s 4-hour canoe tour costs $190 for the first two people, plus $30 for each additional person up to a maximum of 6. Call 912-236-8115 or book online. More details

Sea Kayak Georgia’s tour, also 4 hours, is $80 per person, with a 4-person minimum. Call 912-786-8732 for reservations. More details

Ebenezer Creek By Paddleboard

Savannah Canoe and Kayak offers a 3-hour paddleboard tour of Ebenezer Creek, for $79 per person. Call 912-341-9502 for reservations. More details

Wilderness Southeast’s canoe tour above is also sometimes offered as a paddleboard tour. Call 912-236-8115 for details and availability. More details

More Outdoors Activities Near Savannah

– Paddle boarding at Tybee Island
– Little Tybee Island
– Wassaw Island
– Kayak tours near Savannah
– Hilton Head, SC water sports

See also:
– Savannah events
– Tybee Island events
– Wormsloe Historic Site
– Food festivals near Savannah in spring/summer and fall