HISTORIC COAST GUARD STATION

The Coast Guard Station, built in 1936, is located on the eastern shore of St. Simons Island, Georgia, adjacent to the area known as East Beach and just north of Coast Cottages. This structure, which has been recently restored as a museum of maritime history, is of great significance to Coastal Georgia, and to the history of St. Simons Island, in particular.

During World War II, the Liberty Ships were built in the shipyards in Brunswick, Georgia. Because the port of Brunswick was a major shipping port, as well, German U-boats (submarines) silently prowled up and down the coast of Georgia, seeking an opportunity to destroy one of the newly-launched Liberty ships or any other merchant or naval vessel attempting to enter the port. The submarines lay in wait, hoping for an opportunity to surface and deliver spies or saboteurs ashore in inflatable rafts. From the Coast Guard station, service personnel and civilian auxiliary members patrolled the beaches of St. Simons Island day and night.

Today, the Coastal Georgia Historical Society operates the restored Coast Guard station. The building houses a Maritime Museum with seven galleries dedicated to the maritime and natural history of Coastal Georgia, a hands-on educational center and a museum shop.