Sold Price: Off-Market
Property Size: 2,065 Acres
Location: Camden County, GA
Category: Hunting & Recreational Land
Property Description
For the last 4 years we have had the privilege of working closely on the 3,267 acre Cabin Bluff Tract, that was once the centerpiece of the original 60,000 acre Cabin Bluff property in Camden County near Sea Island, GA. This property has an incredible history dating back to 1827 and has always intrigued me.
The more recent history starts with the Sea Island Company and Bill Jones III, who owned the property in its entirety with the Mead Paper company. In 1996 Cabin Bluff Management, as it was known, sold 30,000 acres known as Big Pasture to John Hancock, which invests in timberland and agricultural assets with money from its life insurance business, but retained a first right of refusal. In 2000, much of this land was purchased back from Hancock and divided amongst Jones’ family members along with a few close friends, which included Davis Love III and Dr. Hewett Maddox, who still own their portions today.
One particular portion of this purchase, about 2,065 acres, was purchased by Charlie Koontz who was married to Bill’s Aunt and was known as the Pine Barrens tract, due to the Pine Barrens swamp which ran thru the middle of the property. They owned it until shortly after Charlie’s death when it was sold to Beasley Timber Co. in 2022. This sale was shortly after our client had purchased the Cabin Bluff tract in 2020 and was of particular interest to me as it was formerly part of the original Cabin Bluff property. In conversations with Beasley, it became apparent that they had preserved all of Pine Barrens swamp from harvest when they sold the pine timber and replanted, with an eye on a possible sale down the road. It was at this time that we were fortunate to have a couple of clients who were interested in purchasing a large tract in Camden County and also had an interest in the history of this incredible property. It was the convergence of these 2 events that allowed us to put together the purchase of the Pine Barrens tract for our client with an eye on re-establishing it as a premier recreational tract and re-connecting it with many of the original tracts that share its unique history.
In the words of the great 21st century writer, Luke Combs, “This might not mean much to you, but it does to me!” and thankfully also to a few other fellow Pine Barrens who share a love of land and history. Congratulations to our client on the purchase of a truly exceptional property and we are grateful to have been a part of this reunion!
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Broker Comments:
"Congratulations to our clients on the purchase of a truly exceptional piece of property. Sometimes the land just speaks for itself, and this is undoubtedly one of those times, when you step on Pine Barrens you get a sense of being in a charming and old place and you daydream a bit about what all has happened here and your thankful to God for friendships and his incredible creation. In the words of the Apostle Peter… It is good that we are here!”
Hunter Brant, President & Broker
Oakwood Realty Group