Ever wonder how Pooler, Georgia, got its name? It is a tale of railroads, a Civil War meeting, and a city’s rise. Let us step back in time. We will uncover the story of Pooler.
Pooler began as a railway stop. It was called Pooler’s Station in 1838. The city is named after Captain Robert William Pooler. He was a railroad employee. He worked for the Central of Georgia Railroad. Pooler studied the towns for a proposed railroad.
During the Civil War, Pooler’s Station held significance. It was the last stop before Savannah on the Central of Georgia Railway. In December 1864, Union officers met here. William Tecumseh Sherman led them. They negotiated Savannah’s peaceful surrender with city authorities. Imagine those tense discussions that shaped history.
After the war, Pooler began to grow. Ben Rothwell bought land. He gave free lots to builders. This spurred community development. The first Baptist Church was built. A sawmill supplied lumber. Pooler was incorporated in 1907. It had only 337 residents. H.G. Beaufort became the first mayor. One of the first women to vote in Georgia was Mrs. Gary Goggins. She was also Pooler’s only woman alderman.
Pooler evolved into a commercial hub. Dairies were important early on. Later, stores and services appeared. The Shearouse Sawmill and Lumber Company started in 1927.
Today, Pooler is a growing city. Its location at the intersection of I-95 and I-16 is key. Pooler is near Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport. Pooler has a low crime rate. It has a small-town feel. Major companies have moved here. JCB has its North American headquarters in Pooler. Blue Force Gear is also headquartered here. Gulfstream Aerospace is nearby. Hyundai Motor Group is building a plant.
Pooler offers much to residents and visitors. There are outlets and shops. The city has a strong community atmosphere. Pooler is one of Georgia’s fastest-growing cities. Pooler City Hall even starred in Clint Eastwood’s film, Juror No. 2. It stood in for the Chatham County Courthouse.
From a railway stop to a thriving city, Pooler’s story is one of growth. It is a story of community and strategic location. Pooler continues to build on its past. It looks forward to a vibrant future. Remember Robert William Pooler. Remember Sherman’s meeting. Remember the early residents who shaped this city. Their legacy lives on in Pooler today.