Sea Island cotton is a name for certain long-staple (long-fiber) cotton. Sea Island cotton (Gossypium barbadense) has strong silk-like fibers and smooth black seeds. Typical long staple cotton fibers are 1.5 to 2 inches long.

Sea Island cotton was the principle cash crop on Fort George Island from the early 1790s to 1865 (the end of American Civil War).

Development

Processing

Economy

Decline

Sea Island Cotton Today

Further Reading

These pages were written by park volunteers Beth Wargo and Leo Garrett and edited by park staff.

10/18/08