MARSH VISTAS ON EAST BEACH
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ST SIMONS ISLAND POINTS OF INTEREST
- Retreat Plantation: Now the Sea Island Golf Club, Retreat was an antebellum plantation known for superior quality sea island cotton and extensive flower gardens. The ruins of a slave hospital remain. The entrance to Retreat is located at the intersection of Kings Way and Frederica Road.
- Fishing Pier: Located in the Village area of St. Simons Island, the fishing pier is a focal point of island activity. This area offers numerous shops, restaurants and points of interest and entertainment.
- St. Simons Lighthouse: The architectural simplicity of the restored 1872 lighthouse keeper’s cottage complements the towering 104 foot tall lighthouse. This dwelling, located on Beachview Drive in St. Simons Village, is now the museum of the Coastal Georgia Historical Society.
- Bloody Marsh Battle Site: At this site on Demere Road, in 1742, an outnumbered force of British troops ambushed and defeated Spanish troops, halting an attack aimed at Fort Frederica. The battle is said to be the turning point in the Spanish invasion of Georgia.
- Fort Frederica: Built by General Oglethorpe in 1736, the Fort Frederica National Monument is located on Frederica Road near Christ Church.
- Christ Church: In 1736, John and Charles Wesley held services under the oak trees at the location of the present church, erected in 1883 by Anson Phelps Dodge, Jr., as a memorial to his first wife.
- Lawrence Road: This route leading to the northern crest of St. Simons Island is dotted with historical markers noting the locations of plantations that once thrived in the area.
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SIDNEY LANIER BRIDGE
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MAINLAND POINTS OF INTEREST
- Shrimp Docks: Brunswick is one of the shrimp capitals of the world! The picturesque shrimp fleet may be seen from Bay Street between Gloucester and Prince Streets. Watch the shrimpers unload their catch in late afternoons from early June to late February.
- Lover's Oak: According to local legend, Indian braves and their maidens would meet under the majestic spreading limbs of this enormous oak. The 900-year old tree is located at the intersection of Albany and Prince Streets.
- The Courthouse: Erected in 1907, this impressive building is surrounded by moss-hung oaks and trees of foreign origin including tung and Chinese pistachio.
- Overlook Park: This park, located at the foot of Gloucester Street at U. S. Highway 17, is a fine vantage point for viewing the vast and beautiful marshlands and river networks that flank much of Coastal Georgia.
- Lanier Park: Under this tree during the 1870’s, Georgia poet Sidney Lanier was inspired to write The Marshes of Glynn, considered to be his finest poetry. Located in the median of U. S. Highway 17 at the foot of “G” Street.
- Hofwyl-Broadfield Plantation: Around 1807, William Brailsford carved a rice plantation from the inhospitable terrain of cypress swamps along the banks of the Altamaha River. Today, Hofwyl-Broadfield Plantation stands very much as it did at the end of its rice-producing era. Drive north on U. S. Highway 17 approximately 14 miles and step back to a time and life-style long faded away.
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DRIFTWOOD ON JEKYLL ISLAND
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JEKYLL ISLAND POINTS OF INTEREST
- Historic District: Thirty-three of the original winter homes of the wealthiest families in this country still stand, with many mansion-sized cottages now open to the public. Numerous service buildings have been converted to specialty shops or restaurants. The original Clubhouse has been restored and is currently in use as a resort hotel. The Historic District is located on the west side of Jekyll Island near the entrance to the Jekyll Island Causeway.
- Horton's Brewery Site: The tabby ruins of Georgia’s first brewery are located on Riverview Drive. Built by Major Horton, an aide to General Oglethorpe, Georgia’s founder, the brewery supplied ale to troops and settlers at Fort Frederica on St. Simons Island.
- Horton House: Located on Riverview Drive, this two-story ruin, dating from 1742, is one of the oldest standing tabby structures in the state. Tabby is a building material native to coastal Georgia having crushed oyster shells as its principal ingredient. Located nearby is the old du Bignon family cemetery.
- Clam Creek Picnic Area: A scenic drive through moss-draped oaks and along the wide marshlands bounding Clam Creek leads to this popular picnicking spot that includes a large, covered fishing pier.
- Faith Chapel: Tucked serenely away in a quiet corner of the Historic District is picturesque Faith Chapel. This small, wooden church, complete with gargoyles guarding its entrance, has an unusual warmth and charm. Built in 1904 for interdenominational worship, Faith Chapel was attended by the wealthy and powerful members of the Jekyll Island Club.
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SHRIMP BOATS DOCKED IN DARIEN
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DARIEN POINTS OF INTEREST
- Fort King George: Georgia’s oldest fort was built in 1721 by the British to protect the young settlement of Darien from French and Spanish expansion. Today, visitors tour the four-story cypress blockhouse and enjoy a spectacular view of the Darien river and surrounding salt marshes.
- Harris Neck Wildlife Refuge: Almost 3000 acres of pristine maritime forest, winding rivers and abundant wildlife are protected at Harris Neck Wildlife Refuge. Located about 20 miles north of Darien, off U.S. Highway 17, the refuge offers a boat ramp and fishing pier available to the public from sunrise to sunset daily. Biking trails, picnic tables and observation decks provide opportunities for birding and experiencing more abundant wildlife native to the area.
- The Litttlest Church in America: Located on U. S. Highway 17, just south of the South Newport River, this church was built in 1956 by Mrs. Agnes Harper, a local grocer. Before Interstate 95 was opened, U. S. Highway 17 was the major north/south route through Coastal Georgia. Mrs. Harper envisioned the church serving as a place of meditation and rest for weary travelers. Although small, the structure features stained glass windows imported from England. Upon Mrs. Harper’s death, the church was willed to Jesus Christ.
- Butler Island Plantation: During the Plantation Era of Coastal Georgia, Major Pierce Butler planted this land on the Altamaha Delta, on the south side of the Darien River. Located on the west side of U. S. Highway 17, the site is now owned by The Nature Conservancy and is open to the public for picnicking, birding and fishing.
- Sapelo Island: From the Sapelo Island Visitors Center in Meridian, an interesting ferry ride across the broad Doboy Sound and wide rivers of eastern McIntosh County accesses this pristine barrier island, a virtual showplace of nature. Sapelo Island boasts one of Georgia’s most beautiful beaches, and a restored lighthouse.
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