The Town of Thunderbolt, located about five miles southeast of Savannah, is located on a high bluff overlooking the Wilmington River. The coastal community has a rich and varied past. The town's relationship to the river has been the uniting tie between the different periods in its history. The river promoted Thunderbolt as a colonial settlement, military outpost during the American Revolution and Civil War, summertime resort, and as a 20^th century fishing village. This family-oriented community has undergone a series of rebirths. As the town enters a new phase in its life, a look back at Thunderbolt's past demonstrates the community's resiliency and points towards a future regeneration.

Docks & Pavilion along Thunderbolt Bluff

Georgia Historical Society Print Collection VM 1361 PR, Box 3, Folder 18

Georgia Historical Society, Savannah, Georgia

š The Legend of Thunderbolt ›

Before colonial settlement of Georgia, Thunderbolt was a small Native American village. Though abandoned by its Native American inhabitants before the colonists arrived, their influence remains even today in the defining and unique name of the town.

The name comes from an Indian legend which relates the story of a severe storm during which "a thunderbolt from the heavens opened up a spring of fresh water and the place long afterwards smelled of the bolt." The burnt smell has since been identified as a mixture of sulphur and iron found in the area's springs.

The legend of the thunderbolt strike was perpetuated by General James Oglethorpe who heard the story from the Indian chief Tomo-chi-chi. The first recorded mention of the name Thunderbolt appears to be on 13 March 1733, when receipt was made of "a cask of potash made at Thunderbolt, in Georgia," produced by Samuel Baker, a merchant. Despite several official names over the years, the name of Thunderbolt has persevered and the legend has become a source of pride, tying the community to its Native American beginnings.

Docks along Thunderbolt Bluff

Cordray-Foltz Collection VM 1360 PH, Box 17, Folder 4, Item 7

Georgia Historical Society, Savannah, Georgia

š Thunderbolt & the River ›

The Native Americans used the Thunderbolt settlement as a lookout point on the river. Thunderbolt's location on the river ensured its future importance for colonial settlement.

The river below Thunderbolt Bluff has been referred to in history by many names. Earliest records refer to it as Augustine Creek, which is now generally considered to be the smaller passage between the Savannah River and the Wilmington River. The Wilmington River feeds into Wassaw Sound, which opens into the Atlantic Ocean. The river below the Thunderbolt Bluff was referred to as both Wassaw River and the anglicized version of Warsaw throughout the late 18^th, 19^th, and early 20^th centuries. During the 20^th century the river became known as the Wilmington River, named for nearby Wilmington Island, however, many still commonly refer to the stretch below the bluff as the Thunderbolt River.

Despite the variation in name, the river is the defining characteristic of Thunderbolt, providing transportation, protection, pleasure, food and industry. The river is a lifeline that carried the community from colonial settlement through the next two and half centuries.