Former Savannah ‘Shrimp Camp’ Converted to Idyllic Marsh Front Hideaway Aims to Lure New Owner for $1.3 Million

Savannah’s historic walled property is trying to grab a new buyer—more than 100 years after it was built as a shrimp farm.

Offering more than 11 acres just outside of Georgia’s thriving town, the centerpiece is a beautiful one bedroom, one bathroom cypress spread over 1,000 square meters and has recently been given an impressive renovation at the hands of the seller, who took over the odd residence in 2024.

Before that, the property, fondly known as “Fish Camp,” had been in the same family since 1925—when it was founded—and its recent arrival on the market for $1.29 million marks the first time it has been listed for sale.

Overlooking Gray’s Creek, which connects to the inland waterway, the cabin, which is listed Hannah Eyre again Lori Judge of Jaji Realty, would be a perfect place for bird watchers or animal lovers as swamp birds and river otters come here regularly.

“This is a small house built in a private village surrounded by wetlands on the way out to Tybee Island, between the historic town of Savannah and the islands,” Eyre said. “You have unparalleled privacy out there.”

The focal point is the cypress cabin, built in the 1920s and long unoccupied.

“It was an abandoned shell, there was no place to live. It had no sewage, running water, and electricity,” said Jaji.

However, today that “shell” has been left undiscovered, after the seller carried out an impressive renovation that saw the residence fitted with a new roof and an open floor plan filled with natural light, courtesy of the many windows.

However, that doesn’t mean the home doesn’t include many historic features, including unique “witch’s crook” ballast stone and original hardwood floors.

“He really modernized the home and brought it into a comfortable living environment,” Eyre said of the seller.

There are two other buildings on the property—a study, and a 200-square-foot mother-in-law house with a porch, bedroom, bathroom and bar—and an outdoor shed for storing tools and other large items. Throughout, the focus has been on maximizing views of the amazing salt marsh.

Both the cabin and the mother-in-law house boast a deck overlooking the wetland.

Like the rest of the place, the learning center, which was completed only this month, has an amazing legacy.

“It was a small shack where they sold bait to fishermen,” said Eyre. “Our seller has renovated this building to be a small study area with a large window overlooking the mud.”

Anyone who buys this can easily add to the cabin, as the listing includes an acre of building space, although the entire area is protected. In fact, the retailer deliberately shrunk from flexibility when redesigning that cabinet.

Eyre says: “You get to keep building on the house. There’s a lot of opportunity to shape it the way you want.”

Also included in the sale are drawings for the construction of a 700 meter long dock with two covered elevators.

The district is also struggling, with local employers such as the Savannah College of Art & Design, a new Hyundai manufacturing facility, and companies in the tourism industry.

“Savannah is seeing a lot of growth,” Eyre said. “You may have invested your (real estate) money to appreciate it.”

That might appeal to a creative person who is on the hunt for an inspiring place.

“We think this would be a great second home for someone, a really nice retreat from normal life, but it’s also certified as a short-term vacation rental,” Eyre said.