“Though the island offers all the comforts of a vacation, there is something rustic and wild in its landscape and way of life.”
Daufuskie, a quiet and bridge-less island nestled in between Savannah, GA and Hilton Head, SC, is somewhat of a mystery in and of itself, due to its lack of commercial enterprise and modern amenities. Though the island offers all the comforts of a vacation, there is something rustic and wild in its landscape and way of life. The Gullah culture still has a few residents remaining but their abundant influence is undeniable in so much of the island’s charm and architecture. On this special island stands a near century old home that was built during Daufuskie’s once booming oyster canning industry settled cozily amidst the massive oaks of a bygone era. From 2001-2015, this house, what is now a Daufuskie Island vacation rental known as “The Oyster Cottage,” was once known affectionately as “The Iron Fish Gallery”.
The Iron Fish Gallery has been a landmark of Daufuskie for the past two decades with many people originating from Hilton Head and Savannah to experience the unique art and architecture it possesses. Long-time visitors will remember walking around the wrap around porch where all of the sculptures were hung on display. In 2015, the gallery moved next door to a new venue that still retains its original southern coastal appeal. Many have long loved the historical and rustic beauty of The Oyster Cottage, and as of 2018, the home was turned into a Daufuskie Island short term vacation rental for families to experience and enjoy. If you were one of the thousands of visitors shopping on that Iron Fish Gallery porch from 2001-2015 and wondering what the inside of this historic home looked like, you can now peak at the airbnb listing to see all of the quaint features that make this home so charming.
Chase Allen
January 10, 2020