Savannah Airport: A Runway of Resting Souls
Here’s a little tidbit that’s been rattling around in my brain for years, and yet, it randomly struck me that I’ve never actually put pen to paper about it. We’re filing this under “oddball aviation facts,” so if that’s not your speed, feel free to skedaddle. 😊
There Are Two Graves Under Savannah Airport’s Busy Runway
Savannah Hilton Head International Airport (SAV) is really quite the adorable little hub, but it does boast one quirk that makes it stand out in the crowd of major airports. Picture this: two graves nestled snugly under the airport’s primary 9,350-foot runway, known as runway 10/28.
Now, most passengers won’t have a clue about this spooky secret, primarily because, let’s face it, they rarely get up close and personal with the tarmac. But believe me, these aren’t urban legends.
What’s the Story Behind These Airport Graves?
So how did Savannah’s airport end up with the eerie honor of having graves literally on its runway? It’s a tale that requires a jaunt down memory lane to get the full picture.
Back in the midst of World War II, in 1942 to be precise, the US Department of War saw the need for some expansion in military operations. Thus, they cooked up a deal with the city for a cheeky 1,100-acre lease, which became today’s airport.
During the grand expansion, a historical slice of land, namely the Dotson family’s private cemetery with over 100 ancestral resting spots, was gobbled up. A negotiation of sorts ensued with the Dotson great-grandchildren, leading to most of their kin being relocated, leaving four graves undisturbed.
These resting places act as solemn markers for the cherished owners of the historical Dotson Family Farm, otherwise known in the 1800s as Cherokee Hills. Even now, the graves of Richard and Catherine Dotson, plus relations Daniel Hueston and John Dotson, rest silently amidst the 21st-century hustle and bustle directly on and alongside SAV’s bustling concrete track.
Quirky Airport Tidbit
Believe it or not, every day thousands of folks fly in and out of this eerie runway without a whiff of its historical undertone. During a radio chat, the pretty laid-back Air Traffic Control at SAV spilled this historical nugget. Now, next time you’re taxiing there, think about those quiet residents below.
Bottom Line
So, there you have it—Savannah Hilton Head International’s claim to fame as the sole commercial airport that can brag about having graves beneath its runway. Once upon a time, what’s now used as an airport was actually a cemetery. While a lot of resting souls were moved to accommodate aviation’s need for speed, a compromise was struck, leading to the decision that four would stay.
Did you know about this eerie piece of SAV’s backstory?