Pooler History
THE story of Pooler History, begins here...
Mr. Gordon and Mr. Pooler were both graduate law and engineering students, both born the same year, 1796, and each took a prominent part in the civic and military affairs of Savannah.
An interesting fact of Pooler History is that Mr. Pooler never lived in the community named after him, and died on Christmas Day, 1853, at his residence on Bull and Liberty Streets in Savannah. He was buried in Colonial Cemetery, but later his body was interred in Laurel Grove Cemetery. Neither Robert William Pooler nor William W. Gordon could have known that on December 9, 1864 General William Tecumseh Sherman and his troops would make camp beside the Pooler railroad Station in preparation for their siege of Savannah.
At that time, there were perhaps less than 200 war-wearied souls in this lonely, impoverished community of Pooler.
As William Sherman moved in on Savannah, he found that even though a scant ten miles away, he still has "miles and miles to go before he sleeps, for he had promises to keep".
You see, General Sherman promised to "give Savannah to President Lincoln for a Christmas present," and Christmas was fast approaching. Thus it was that group of harassed Yankees that pitched a camp astride the Central of Georgia Railway at Pooler Station that cold December 9, 1864.
Sherman stepped out of his headquarters tent, 300 yards west of the station and peered down the long, straight stretch of rails into the very heart of this seaside city of Savannah, which he was besieging. The city of Pooler was a meeting place for Union officers led by General Sherman, who negotiated with Savannah authorities for the strategic port city's peaceful surrender.
He pioneered a new method of community development, giving lots to those who would build permanent homes.
Incorporated Pooler history began in 1907, at that time; Pooler had a population of just 337. The first Pooler Town Hall was built in 1923. That building was sold to the town of Register, GA when a new town hall was constructed in the 1960s. Register restored the building that now serves as its town hall and police department headquarters. The building is on the National Register of Historic Places. At one time, there were 15 dairies operating in the area. Dairies played an important role in Pooler’s economy and were abundant in the community. They played a vital role in the agricultural culture of early Pooler history.
Throughout the years, many other businesses were established in Pooler, Georgia - including: a post office, drug stores, a theater, soda fountain, gas stations, five and dime stores, auto repair shops, and of course, the train depot.
There was a bus station served by Greyhound, Southeastern Stages and Trailways. Shearouse Sawmill and Lumber Company, established in 1927, is still in operation today. 
Paving of U.S. Highway 80 through Pooler was completed by the Federal government, in 1928 - making it easier for Pooler residents to go to Savannah for many of their shopping needs. Major structural changes took place in Pooler, in the 1950s.
The post office moved from the train depot to a site on Hwy. 80 and dependence on rail service decreased. This eventually led to the abandonment of railroad tracks through Pooler. The railroad tracks were removed to make way for Hwy 80 eastbound traffic; the original Hwy. 80 was designated for westbound traffic.
Construction began on Interstate 95, in 1956. It would eventually stretch from Maine to Miami and touch the edge of Pooler. The interchanges at I-95, Hwy. 80 and Pooler Parkway are now major sites of businesses that cater to the tourist industry. A new town hall and community center were built on Rogers Road, in the 1960s. A fire station, constructed on the site of the old train depot, is still in operation today. Gleason Heights, the city's first subdivision was developed and the West Chatham Library built. Remaining a small, proud community - Pooler’s growth was slow and steady through the 70s and 80s.
The sleepy pace of the small town changed in the 1990s. Contributing to a strong tax base for Pooler, forward thinking City officials conducted well thought out annexations. In 1996, the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum opened its 90,000 sq. ft. facility near I-95 and Hwy. 80 in Pooler. J.C. Bamford (JCB) Company built a 500,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility and a mega site at I-95 and I-16 has been developed and is ready for a major company or companies to build on the massive property; This, all within the city limits of Pooler.
The County has spent millions recently on park improvements. Tom Triplett Community Park is a perfect place to enjoy the great outdoors. Enjoy a scroll, jog or bike ride around the massive lake on a paved and lighted path. Test your skills one of the region's largest disc torment courts or take a peaceful kayak ride down the park's clean, long, deep & winding lake. Regular festivals and community activities keep this park a Pooler favorite throughout the year.
The new millennium has seen unparallel growth in the area. The completion of Pooler Parkway, linking I-95 and I-16, has given momentum to an already booming economy. Commercial businesses are quickly establishing branches in the community. Small businesses are starting up, and apartment and housing subdivison projects are developing at an extraordinary rate. To keep pace with the burgeoning population, the city has developed a multi-use sports complex on 102 acres off Pooler Parkway. The unprecedented growth in new business and home sites, with many more projects still on the drawing boards, contributes to the city being recognized as the fastest growing community in Georgia. Pooler, with all its growth, still offers a serene, secure and affordable small town atmosphere for businesses and families. Excited local residents will tell you, "Pooler History has only begun to be written."
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The first railroad station west of Savannah was named for Robert William Pooler, in 1838. Mr. Pooler worked for the Central of Georgia Railroad and was a very civic-minded resident of Savannah.
As the South recovered from the Reconstruction era, another amazing man impacted Pooler History, a visionary Pooler resident, 
Tom Triplett Community Park is the site of Lock #3 of the Savannah/Ogeechee Canal System that dates to pre-Civil War times. Still visible today, are remains of the gatekeeper’s house and 142 Civil War tent Mounds from Sherman’s Army.
