Penny Butler Rossiter writes: This was the home of Ronster Johnson (1913-1994). It is in Johnson Hammock. He was the famous “storyteller” of Sapelo Island. Hopefully it will be restored one day. It is a “supporting structure” in Hog Hammock and is on The National Register. It is my understanding that, though it’s a separate neighborhood, Johnson Hammock is included in the National Register historic district.
Hog Hammock Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
I lived in the old post office in the 1950’s when black angus cattle were everywhere on the island. I can still hear ronister hollering at daylight working with those cattle. The pens and weigh station was right behint the old post office (where I lived) and the slaughter hose was not too far from there. I knew ronister, crancker and Fred as well as all the other cowboys on the island. Cracker ran the school boat (the Tarpin). But prior Skiper Leo olsen was thsa captain of the Kit Jones which we rode for manyyears. My dad ran the sawmill there at that time.
I would love to restore and live in this house! It just calls out to me! 🙂
Thanks for the great photo, Brian and for sharing Penny’s history of the structure!
Glad I ran across this.-not sure who Penny is, but. this is my great uncle’s house and we are in the process of restoring all of my ancestors homes that remain in my family’s community of Johnson/Hogg Hammack.
Thank you for sharing. Wonderful to hear of the restorations.
There is something about Johnson Hammock that I can not explain. There is a peace that I feel there. The entire island brings me peace but there is something special about Johnson Hammock that I just can not explain.
This was the home of Ronster Johnson. It is in Johnson Hammock. He was the famous “storyteller” of Sapelo Island. Hopefully it will be restored one day. It is a “supporting structure” in Hog Hammock and is on The National Register.
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Thank you so much, Penny. I will update now.