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109-536: Mild winters, together with natural beaches, vast stretches of marshland, maritime forests, historical sites, and abundant wildlife on both land and sea attract families, nature, fishing and water sports enthusiasts, golfers, and history buffs. All the islands are located within McIntosh County and Glynn County , and make up the lower middle section of Georgia's eleven barrier islands. Annual mild temperatures average 68 °F, with July highs of 90 °F. St. Simons

218-492: A census designated place in 1980 U.S. Census . According to the census of 2010, there were 12,743 people, 6,117 households, and 3,637 families residing in the CDP, occupying a land area of 15.94 square miles (41.3 square kilometres). The population density was 799.4 inhabitants per square mile (308.7/km ). There were 9,931 housing units at an average density of 623.0 units per square mile (240.5 units/km ). The racial makeup of

327-564: A Nature Center, boat tours, the Jekyll Island Convention Center, and a variety of lodging options. The Jekyll Island Museum operates tours of the Historic Landmark District which includes homes built during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries by wealthy Northern businessmen, including J. P. Morgan , William Vanderbilt , Joseph Pulitzer , and Marshall Field . The Georgia Sea Turtle Center on Jekyll

436-477: A canopy of live oaks and other hardwoods draped in Spanish moss continues to shade much of the island. The abundance of food provided by the marshes, estuaries , and vegetation attracts various wildlife on the land, sea, and in the air. Commonly sighted land and amphibious animals include white-tailed deer , marsh rabbits , raccoons , minks , alligators , armadillos , terrapins and frogs . Overhead, along

545-559: A facility named "LCP Chemicals" in Glynn County just outside the corporate limits of Brunswick, was convicted of dumping 150 tons of mercury into Purvis Creek, a tributary of the Turtle River and surrounding tidal marshes between the mid-1980s and its closure in 1994. Three executives were sentenced to prison time over the incident. The LCP facility had been declared a Superfund site when it closed in 1994. It had been under scrutiny by

654-605: A limit of 32 guests per night. A staff of naturalists conduct guided tours along the beach and inland. Available activities include birding, kayaking, bicycling, hiking, fishing and nature photography. Guests depart on a private boat from the Hampton River Marina on St. Simons Island. The Lodge is one of only two properties in the U.S. to be awarded a Benchmarked Certificate by Green Globe 21, a global certification organization dedicated to sustainable tourism . Little St. Simons Island has been declared an "Important Bird Area" by

763-628: A member of the Cooperative, provides rehabilitation services for injured turtles as well as research and education through a variety of programs and field trips. Another endangered species found just offshore is the North Atlantic Right Whale . These migratory animals got their name from whalers because they were easy to hunt and yielded large amounts of oil and baleen . As a result, they were hunted almost to extinction. Right whales are currently protected by both Federal and State law. Because

872-572: A new industry began to arise—vacation travel. In 1924, the F. J. Torras Causeway opened St. Simons Island to everyone. Sea Island, Little St. Simons, and Jekyll Island all remained in private hands, with the latter becoming the site of winter homes for wealthy Northern industrialists and bankers. During World War II , blimps from Glynco Naval Air Station in Brunswick patrolled the Atlantic, protecting convoys and looking for German U-boats that frequented

981-544: A post office on St. Simons. Tourism is the primary economic driver in the St. Simons Island economy. Major industries include hospitality, food services, retail, service businesses, and the professions. The largest employers are the Sea Island Company, King & Prince Resort and Rich Products Consumer Brands Division. Visitors have been coming to St. Simons Island since the late 19th century, first by boat, disembarking at

1090-468: A reality to residents of St. Simons Island when a German U-boat sank two oil tankers in the middle of the night. The blasts shattered windows as far away as Brunswick, and unsubstantiated rumors spread about German soldiers landing on the beaches. Security measures were tightened after the sinkings, and anti-submarine patrols from Glynco Naval Air Station in Brunswick ultimately ended the U-boat threat. During

1199-426: A sub-chief who had been left to guard the village. The San Buenaventura men withdrew to the woods, and the pirates burned the village and mission. After the pirates burned the mission, the people of Guadalquini moved to a site about one league west of San Juan del Puerto on the St. Johns River, where a new mission named Santa Cruz de Guadalquini was established. Fort Frederica, now Fort Frederica National Monument ,

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1308-536: A village of un-Christianized Yamasee to the north of San Buenaventura on St. Simon Island, in 1680. A force of Spanish soldiers and Native Americans from San Buenaventura went to the aid of Colon, forcing the raiders to withdraw. In 1683, St. Augustine was attacked by a pirate fleet, and in 1684 missions along what is now the Georgia coast were attacked by Native American allies of the English. The mission of San Buenaventura

1417-870: A window signed by Louis Tiffany. Lovely Lane Chapel at Epworth by the Sea features Old English Art Glass windows. Another Tiffany window is located at St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Brunswick. Other notable examples can be seen at the King & Prince Resort, the Cloister Hotel, and the Jekyll Island Club Hotel, as well as many other churches throughout the area. In late spring and summer, music lovers enjoy outdoor concerts at Mary Ross Waterfront Park in Brunswick and Neptune Park on St. Simons Island. Jekyll Island hosts annual festivals that feature both local and out-of-town performers. Glynn County, Georgia Glynn County

1526-616: Is 42.6 °F. The average high in July is 90.4 °F. Rainfall is greatest in August and September. Accumulation of snow/ice is extremely rare. In 1968 when famed Chicago TV weatherman P. J. Hoff was about to retire, he conducted an extensive analysis, based on his personal preferences, to find the best climate in the U.S. Based on several factors, he chose the Golden Isles, and moved to St. Simons Island, where he lived until his death in 1981. One of

1635-557: Is 45 inches per year. Rainfall is greatest in August and September when passing afternoon thunderstorms are typical. Accumulation of snow/ice is extremely rare. The last recorded snow on St. Simons was in 1989. The island is located in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 9a. According to the United States Census Bureau , the CDP has a total area of 17.7 square miles (46 km ), 15.9 square miles (41 km ) of which

1744-519: Is a rehabilitation hospital, research center and education facility devoted to conservation and protection of sea turtles. Open to the public year-round, the Center offers exhibits, viewing of turtle patients, and a variety of educational programs and field trips. The Jekyll Island Club opened in 1888, and quickly became one of the most exclusive private social clubs in the United States. Among its members

1853-575: Is among the Island's most popular attractions, highlighted by the PGA's RSM Classic (formerly McGladrey Classic ) in November. Sea Island is a privately owned resort and residential community, located to the east of St. Simons Island and reachable by causeway. The upscale resort operates properties on Sea Island: The Cloister, Beach Club, Cottages; and on St. Simons Island: The Lodge, and The Inn at Sea Island. With

1962-527: Is held annually in November at the Sea Island Golf Club on St. Simons Island. In 2013 The Sea Island Golf Club was ranked by Golf Digest as one of America's top 50 golf courses for women. Ecotourists come to enjoy the natural surroundings, bird-watching, and Cannon's Point Preserve. Hiking and bicycling are popular year-round activities. St. Simons Island is also a magnet for photographers and painters. Its selection of scenic and historic venues, such as

2071-762: Is home to a growing aviation services industry. The 2010 Census reported Glynn County's population at 79,626. Today's Golden Isles were first settled about 4,500 years ago by tribes of the Creek nation . When the Spaniards arrived in the early 1500s, they encountered the Guale and Mocame tribes of the Timucuan people. Relations between the Native Americans and the European newcomers alternated between friendly and hostile, as their allegiance

2180-451: Is home to the world-famous Cloister resort and residential homes valued in the millions of dollars. The City of Brunswick traces its history back to early Colonial times, and the founding of the Georgia colony by General James Oglethorpe . From its earliest days, the port of Brunswick was important to the growth and economy of the new nation. In 1789, George Washington named Brunswick one of

2289-416: Is known as "Old Ironsides", as cannonballs bounced off its hard live oak planking. The second phase of lumber production on the island began in the late 1870s when mills were constructed in the area surrounding Gascoigne Bluff. The mills supported a vibrant community that lasted until just after the turn of the twentieth century. During this time, lumber from St. Simons was shipped to New York City for use in

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2398-429: Is land and 1.7 square miles (4.4 km ) of it (10 percent) is water. A diverse and complex ecology exists alongside residential and commercial development on St. Simons Island. The island shares many features common to the chain of sea islands along the southeastern U.S. coast, such as sandy beaches on the ocean side, marshes to the west, and maritime forests inland. Despite centuries of agriculture and development,

2507-596: Is land and 165 square miles (430 km ) (28.3%) is water. The majority of Glynn County is located in the Cumberland - St. Simons sub-basin of the St. Marys- Satilla River basin. Most of the county's northern and northwestern border area is located in the Altamaha River sub-basin of the basin by the same name. As of the 2020 United States census , there were 84,499 people, 34,614 households, and 22,352 families residing in

2616-469: Is located in the southeastern part of the U.S. state of Georgia . As of the 2020 census , the population was 84,499. The county seat is Brunswick . Glynn County is part of the Brunswick, Georgia Metropolitan Statistical Area . Glynn County, one of the state's original eight counties created on February 5, 1777, was named after John Glynn , a member of the British House of Commons who defended

2725-527: Is located on the southern half of the island. Much of the northern half remains marsh or woodland. A large tract of land in the northeast has been converted to a nature preserve containing trails, historical ruins, and an undisturbed maritime forest. The tract, Cannon's Point Preserve, is open to the public on specified days and hours. Originally inhabited by the Muscogee , the Spanish, British and French contested

2834-667: Is part of a cluster of barrier islands and marsh hammocks between the Altamaha River delta to the north, and St. Simons Sound to the south. Sea Island forms the eastern edge of this cluster, with Little St. Simons on the north and the marshes of Glynn plus the Intracoastal Waterway to the west. St. Simons is located at 31°9′40″N 81°23′13″W  /  31.16111°N 81.38694°W  / 31.16111; -81.38694 (31.161250, -81.386875), midway between Savannah, Georgia and Jacksonville, Florida, and approximately 12 miles (19 km) east of Brunswick, Georgia ,

2943-513: Is part of the Brunswick metropolitan statistical area , and according to the 2020 U.S. census , the CDP had a population of 14,982. Located on the southeast Georgia coast, midway between Savannah and Jacksonville , St. Simons Island is both a seaside resort and residential community. It is the largest of Georgia's renowned Golden Isles (along with Sea Island , Jekyll Island , and privately owned Little St. Simons Island ). Visitors are drawn to

3052-498: Is the key provider of life-sustaining nutrients for the wildlife. Every fall, the marsh grass turns a rich amber, giving evidence for the name, Golden Isles. The results of this rich source of nutrients are visible everywhere. Commonly seen along the beaches and the adjacent maritime forests are several species of shorebirds, including egrets , herons , white ibis , gulls , terns , plovers , sandpipers , pelicans , and ospreys . Local birds of prey include vultures , hawks , and

3161-454: Is the largest of the Golden Isles, with a permanent population of 12,743 as of the 2010 census. Reachable via the F. J. Torras Causeway , the Island is a tourist destination for its beaches, water sports, boating and fishing, golf, nature trails, historical landmarks, shopping, restaurants and nightlife. The St. Simons Lighthouse , located on the south end of the Island, has been in operation since 1872 (an earlier lighthouse, completed in 1810,

3270-436: Is the largest, with a permanent population of 12,743 residents as of the 2010 census. Curled around its north end and accessible only by boat is Little St. Simons Island—privately owned and maintained in its natural state with a small capacity guest lodge and cottages. Jekyll Island is owned by the state of Georgia and operated as a state park, with limited residential areas. Sea Island is owned by Sea Island Acquisitions, LLC, and

3379-525: Is tightly restricted. Homeowners on the Island rent their land from the state on long-term leases. Brunswick's first English settler was Capt. Mark Carr, who established a plantation on the site in 1738, while serving under Gen. James Oglethorpe. Four years later, Capt. Carr participated in the Battle of Bloody Marsh on St. Simons Island. In 1771, Carr's property was acquired by the Royal Province of Georgia, and

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3488-547: The Canadian arctic . As a result of all this avian activity, Gould's Inlet and East Beach on St. Simons Island have designated stops on the Colonial Coast Birding Trail. The waters off St. Simons Island are likewise home to a great variety of sea life, including dolphins , right whales , a wide diversity of gamefish , and the occasional manatee . On late spring and summer nights, loggerhead sea turtles arrive on

3597-490: The EPA after Service biologists discovered mercury poisoning in endangered wood storks on St. Simons Island . Fish, shellfish, crabs, and shrimps taken in coastal waters, as well as other bird species, also contained the toxic metal. The Service traced the source of the contamination to the LCP plant and documented the extent of the damage to wildlife resources. Their effort resulted in

3706-656: The Georgia Bight , the inward curve of the east coast that stretches from Cape Fear, North Carolina to Cape Canaveral, Florida . The resulting funnel effect on incoming tides in this region creates a more extreme tidal swing than elsewhere on the U.S. coast, ranging from six to ten feet. According to the Köppen Climate Classification System , the Golden Isles climate is humid subtropical, with hot summers and mild winters. The average low temperature in January

3815-449: The Gullah tribe from South Carolina. An original slave cabin still stands at the intersection of Demere Rd. and Frederica Rd. at the roundabout. During the early stages of the war, Confederate troops occupied St. Simons Island to protect its strategic location at the entrance to Brunswick harbor. However, in 1862, Robert E. Lee ordered an evacuation of the island to relocate the soldiers for

3924-627: The Stallings culture of the Savannah River valley and Orange period of northern Florida; Refuge Period (1000–500 BC); Deptford Periods (500 BC to AD 700); Wilmington Period (700–1000); St. Catherine's Period (1000–1250); Savannah Periods (1250–1540); Pine Harbor Period (1540–1625), where European artifacts appear in the archaeological record in this period; and Sutherland Bluff Period (1625–1680), where Native American occupation of Cannon's Point seems to have ended during this period. Many scholars in

4033-483: The dunes along East Beach. Jumping mullet and tiny bait fish populate the coastal waters. Dolphin sightings are common, particularly off the island's south coast. In September 2012, following an 18-month fund-raising effort, the St. Simons Land Trust acquired a 608-acre tract of undeveloped land in the northeast portion of the island. The acreage includes maritime forest, salt marsh , tidal creek, and river shoreline, as well as ancient shell middens and remains of

4142-531: The southern bald eagle . Five of the eighteen sites along Georgia's Colonial Coast Birding Trail are located within the Golden Isles/Glynn County. Among the sights along the beaches, inshore waterways and piers are horseshoe crabs , ghost crabs slipping in and out of their holes in the sand, dolphin , manatees (in summer), jumping mullet , jellyfish , sand dollars , stingrays , and conch shells inhabited by hermit crabs . Sand dunes along

4251-463: The 2020 American Community Survey , the median household income increased to $ 90,408 with a mean of $ 120,362. Families had a median household income of $ 117,466; married-couple families $ 125,652; and non-family households $ 52,607. The primary housing units on St. Simons Island are single-family homes and condominiums. Prices vary with market trends, but housing is generally available in a wide range of prices, depending on location. In 2010, according to

4360-767: The Americans prevailed. However the British capture of Savannah later that year effectively ended further hostilities. As agriculture took hold after the Revolution, the Golden Isles region become known for rice and cotton. On St. Simons Island, a fine, long-fiber variety, known as Sea Island cotton became the preferred option in England, and came to be grown throughout the Georgia low country. Several plantations thrived on St. Simons, among them were Hamilton, Retreat , Hampton, and Cannon's Point. The only surviving ruins are at Cannon's Point and

4469-641: The Audubon Society. Jekyll Island is wholly owned by the state of Georgia and managed by the Jekyll Island Authority. Located south of St. Simons Island , it is reachable via the Downing Musgrove Causeway (GA 520) off US 17 in Glynn County. Purchase of a parking pass is required to drive onto the island (as of June, 2015, fees are $ 6.00 daily, $ 28.00 weekly, or $ 45.00 annually). The island includes 10 miles of beach, four golf courses,

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4578-587: The CDP was 94.8 percent White, 2.8 percent African American, 0.1 percent Native American, 1.0 percent Asian, 1.53 percent from other races, and 0.7 percent from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.2 percent of the population. By the 2020 census , there were 14,982 people, 6,836 households, and 4,346 families in the CDP. The racial and ethnic makeup of the CDP by 2020 was 91.5% non-Hispanic white, 1.92% Black or African American, 0.13% Native American, 0.75% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 2.67% multiracial, and 3.0% Hispanic or Latino of any race. In 2010,

4687-658: The Coast Guard Station Beach, which also features the Maritime Center Museum. Near the Coast Guard beach is the Bloody Marsh battle site where in 1742, a small garrison of British troops defeated a much larger Spanish force and in the process, put an end to Spain's influence north of Florida. Farther to the north are the ruins of Fort Frederica, established by Gen. James Oglethorpe in 1736 as protection for

4796-670: The General's force was disbanded in 1749, Fort Frederica fell into disuse, and was destroyed by fire in 1758. Today the fort's remains, along with the Bloody Marsh site, is a national monument operated by the National Park Service . Military action on the south Georgia coast during the American Revolution was very limited compared to events in the north. In April, 1778 there was a brief naval skirmish off St. Simons Island in which

4905-650: The Georgia Continental Battalions at Fort Howe to march to Darien, Georgia . There they boarded three Georgia Navy galleys: Washington , commanded by Captain John Hardy; Lee , commanded by Captain John Cutler Braddock; and Bulloch , commanded by Captain Archibald Hatcher. On April 18, they entered Frederica River and anchored about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) from Fort Frederica . The next day

5014-477: The Georgia colony, and Cannon's Point, a 600-acre nature preserve that includes maritime forest, marshland, hiking trails and plantation ruins. Housing on St. Simons Island consists primarily of single-family homes and condominiums, many of which are rented during peak visitation periods. Due to the mild climate, outdoor activities are common year-round, including hiking, bicycling, canoe and kayaking, paddle-boarding, offshore and inshore fishing and beachcombing. Golf

5123-468: The Golden Isles enjoys a rich cultural heritage that locals work to preserve in a variety of ways. There is also a vibrant contemporary culture that manifests itself in a broad mixture of creative arts. Local theater productions, art exhibits, music festivals, culinary events, environmental expositions, art and photography shows are scheduled throughout the year. Venues include the historic Ritz Theatre, Brunswick Actors Theatre, Mary Ross Park, Neptune Park, and

5232-444: The Island for its warm climate, beaches, variety of outdoor activities, shops and restaurants, historical sites, and natural environment. In addition to its base of permanent residents, the island enjoys an influx of visitors and part-time residents throughout the year. The 2010 census noted that 26.8% of total housing units were for "seasonal, recreational, or occasional use". The vast majority of commercial and residential development

5341-471: The John Couper plantation of the early 19th century. The Preserve is open to the public on Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays, 9 AM-3 PM, for hiking, bicycling, bird-watching, and picnicking. The Preserve also features a launch site for kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards and an observation tower at the north end. St. Simons was first listed as an unincorporated place in the 1950 U.S. Census and then designated

5450-511: The Southeast. Glynn County , Georgia, where the Golden Isles are located is one of the state's original eight counties, established in 1777 from 423 square miles of land formerly held by Creek Indians . The county seat is Brunswick, the only incorporated entity in the county. Glynn County is named for John Glynn, a member of the British Parliament and a friend of the colonies who once held

5559-471: The St. Simons Island Casino, home of the Island Players. The Golden Isles are home to a growing number of art galleries, and other venues where creative artists share their works. Golden Isles Arts & Humanities in Brunswick and Glynn Visual Arts on St. Simons Island have each been instrumental in promoting and supporting both established and beginning artists. Among the more unusual local art forms are

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5668-465: The St. Simons Lighthouse and Christ Church , have made the island a popular wedding site. As a travel destination, St. Simons Island has received recommendations from several travel publications and websites, including Condé Nast Traveler , Travel+Leisure , Smithsonian Magazine , Coastal Living, Country Living , and TripAdvisor . Many creative artists are drawn to St. Simons Island as residents and visitors. Painters and photographers work to capture

5777-533: The Tree Spirits of St. Simons Island. Created by a local sculptor, they memorialize sailors lost at sea on ships made of island lumber, along with some Native Americans. Their mournful expressions create an emotional and unforgettable experience for viewers. The centuries-old art of stained glass is on display at several locations throughout the Golden Isles. At Christ Church Frederica, "The Confession of St. Peter" dates to 1899. Faith Chapel on Jekyll Island includes

5886-412: The U.S. Census Bureau, there were 9,931 housing units on the island, 6,117 of which were occupied either by the owners (74%) or renters (26%); and 2,662 were held for "seasonal, recreational, or occasional use." Most of the remainder were for rent (6%) or for sale (4%). In 2020, the median value of owner-occupied housing units was $ 386,000 with a monthly cost of $ 2,010. The U.S. Postal Service operates

5995-540: The addition of Endangered Species Act charges to those that would be brought against Hanlin and its officers. In 2020, the Federal Bureau of Investigation ranked the Brunswick metropolitan area (which includes the counties of Glynn, Brantley and McIntosh ) as the 7th most dangerous metropolitan area in the state of Georgia. On August 29, 2009, Glynn County resident Guy Heinze Jr. murdered eight members of his extended family including his father, Guy Heinze Sr. in

6104-483: The area of South Georgia which included St. Simons Island. After establishing the Province of Georgia in 1732, Anglo-American colonists established rice and cotton plantations worked by African slaves, who created the unique Gullah culture that survives to this day. The primary mode of travel to the island is by automobile via F.J. Torras Causeway . Malcolm McKinnon Airport ( IATA : SSI) serves general aviation on

6213-454: The area. The Brunswick harbor served as one of the nation's most important production centers for Liberty Ships . The City of Brunswick and its four barrier islands are located on the south Georgia coast, about midway between Savannah and Jacksonville . The islands lie between the Altamaha River delta to the north and the Satilla River to the south. This location is the center point of

6322-572: The beach to lay their eggs. Area naturalists monitor and protect nests, and guided turtle walks are available. Shrimping is still important to the region, and shrimp boats are often seen just off the beaches. Like most barrier islands, St. Simons Island beaches constantly shift as tides, wind, and storms move tons of sand annually. Along with umbrellas and folding chairs, beach-goers can encounter fast-moving ghost crabs , sand dollars , giant horseshoe crabs , and moving conch shells powered by resident hermit crabs . Sea oats and morning glories cover

6431-680: The cause of the American Colonies before the American Revolution . The Battle of Bloody Marsh was fought in Glynn County. James Oglethorpe built Fort Frederica , which was used a base in the American Revolutionary War. Glynn Academy , established to educate boys, is the second oldest school in Georgia. Glynn County includes the most prominent of the Sea Islands of Georgia, including Jekyll Island , St. Simons Island , and Sea Island . The Georgia poet Sidney Lanier immortalized

6540-591: The city was laid out in the "Oglethorpe grid" pattern, similar to Savannah. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places , the Brunswick Old Town Historic District contains several landmarks and 19th century homes. Mary Ross Park on the East River hosts a variety of events including concerts, weddings, a farmer's market, and the annual Brunswick Stewbilee. Passenger cruise ships dock at

6649-522: The construction of the Brooklyn Bridge . In contrast to the post-Civil War era, the decline of lumber did not open a new period of economic hardship; for a new industry was taking hold on St. Simons Island. As early as the 1870s, summer cottages were being constructed on the island's south end, and a small village was forming to serve them. Construction of the pier in 1887 brought visitors by boat from Brunswick and south Georgia. The Hotel St. Simons, on

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6758-543: The county. In terms of European ancestry, 40.8% were English , 10.6% were "American" , 10.2% were Irish , and 7.9% were German . Glynn County's public schools are operated by Glynn County School System . Glynn County is home to four Superfund sites. Those include the "LCP Chemicals Georgia" site, the "Brunswick Wood Preserving" site, the "Hercules 009 Landfill" site, and the "Terry Creek Dredge Spoil Areas/Hercules Outfall" site. The Hanlin Group, Inc., which maintained

6867-466: The defense of Savannah, Georgia . Before departing, they destroyed the lighthouse to prevent its use as a navigation aid by U.S. Navy forces. Most property owners then retreated inland with the people they enslaved, and the U.S. Army occupied the island for the remainder of the war. Postwar, the island plantations were in ruins, and landowners found it financially unfeasible to cultivate cotton or rice. Most moved inland to pursue other occupations, and

6976-515: The early 20th century identified the people of St. Simons Island as Guale . Hann cites evidence that the people of St. Simons, at least as early as 1580, were part of the Mocama people. Ashley et al. suggest that St. Simons may have been occupied by the Guale people when Europeans arrived in southeastern Georgia in the 16th century and that the original Guale population on St. Simons was displaced from at least

7085-536: The exception of special events, access is restricted to guests of any Sea Island property, island home owners and their guests, and Sea Island Club members. The resort also includes three championship golf courses, one of which, the Seaside course on St. Simons Island, hosts the annual PGA tour event, The RSM Classic (formerly The McGladrey Classic ). In June, 2004, the 30th G8 Summit was hosted by President George W. Bush on Sea Island. Little St. Simons Island lies to

7194-600: The family's trailer located in New Hope Plantation Mobile Home Park near Brunswick. Two others were critically injured, with one dying later in a hospital in Savannah . Heinze Jr. avoided the death penalty and was sentenced to life in prison without parole on October 30, 2013. Similar to Southeast Georgia , Glynn County is heavily Republican, having last voted Democratic in 1980 , when the Democratic nominee

7303-542: The five original ports of entry for the thirteen colonies. During World War II, Brunswick hosted an important construction site for Liberty ships , and Naval Air Station Glynco , a major operational base for blimps. The City of Darien traces its history back to the construction of Ft. King George in 1722; chartered in 1736, it is the second oldest city in Georgia. James Oglethorpe laid out the city plan for Darien, noted for its squares and grid pattern much like Savannah, which he also planned. Fort Federica on St. Simons Island

7412-406: The galleys attacked the British vessels. The Colonial ships were armed with heavier cannons than the British, and the galleys also had a shallow draft and could be rowed. When the wind died down, the British ships had difficulty maneuvering in the restricted waters of the river and sound. Two British ships ran aground, and the crews escaped to their other ships. The battle showed the effectiveness of

7521-515: The galleys in restricted waters over ships designed for the open sea. The victory in the Frederica Naval Action boosted the morale of the colonials in Georgia. During the plantation era , Saint Simons became a center of cotton production, known for its long-fiber Sea Island Cotton . Nearly the entire island was cleared of trees to make way for several large cotton plantations worked by enslaved Geechee people and their descendants. The plantations of this and other Sea Islands were large, and often

7630-533: The high tide line. Insects and microorganisms in the wrack offer nutrients and the wrack itself traps sand to help nourish the dunes. Behind the dunes sits a variety of vegetation, culminating in the maritime forests that provide the tree canopy so characteristic to Georgia's barrier islands. Live oaks , southern pines , cabbage palms , magnolias , and others create the canopy. Below is a vast complex of shrubs including palmettos , yaupon , yucca , prickly-pear cactus , resurrection fern , and many others including

7739-564: The high water line and lay their eggs. Turtle eggs face many threats of both the natural and man-made variety; and all species of sea turtles are currently protected by the Federal Endangered Species Act. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources coordinates the efforts of several local agencies and volunteers under the Georgia Sea Turtle Cooperative. These groups monitor, protect and manage nests found on Golden Isles beaches, in addition to conducting research and public awareness and education programs. The Georgia Sea Turtle Center on Jekyll Island,

7848-405: The iconic Spanish Moss . The forest is also home to different species of amphibians and land animals, including deer , snakes , raccoons , alligators , wild turkey , frogs , and many others. One of the area's most beloved, and endangered, creatures is the loggerhead sea turtle . From late May through mid-August, female turtles clamber up the beach after dark to dig nests in the dunes above

7957-566: The island's economy remained dormant for several years. Formerly enslaved people established a community in the center of the island known as Harrington. Saint Simons' first exports of lumber occurred after the Naval Act of 1794 when timber harvested from two thousand Southern live oak trees from Gascoigne Bluff was used to build the USS Constitution and five other frigates (see six original United States frigates ). The USS Constitution

8066-399: The island. Just north of the village on St. Simons Island off Mallery Street is a park of oak trees named St. Simons Park. On the southern edge of the oaks, along a narrow lane, is a low earthen mound where 30 Timucuan Native Americans are buried. The men, women, and children interred there lived in a settlement on the site two centuries before the first European contact. Cannon's Point, on

8175-493: The island. This marked the end of the Spanish efforts to invade Georgia during the War of Jenkins' Ear . It was preserved in the 20th century and identified as a national historic site largely by the efforts of Margaret Davis Cates, a resident who contributed much to historic preservation. She helped raise more than $ 100,000 (~$ 1.6 million in 2023) in 1941 to buy the site of the fort and conduct stabilization and some preservation. It

8284-460: The local inhabitants had more tortures from their environment than he could describe for Hell ). In the 1730s, John Wesley's brother Charles Wesley also did missionary work on St. Simons. In the late eighteenth century, Methodist preachers traveled throughout Georgia as part of the Great Awakening , a religious revival movement led by Methodists and Baptists. A significant impact of the revival

8393-455: The lumber mills in the latter third of the 19th century. During this period, a new lighthouse was constructed to replace the 1810 lighthouse that was destroyed during the Civil War. The current Lovely Lane Chapel was built, and Christ Church was rebuilt. One of the Island mills supplied timbers for New York's Brooklyn Bridge . With the turn of the 20th century and the arrival of the automobile,

8502-399: The median income for a household in the CDP was $ 77,694, and the median income for a family was $ 104,044. Males had a median income of $ 52,536 versus $ 39,881 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $ 50,043. About 1.9 percent of families and 3.7 percent of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.4 percent of those under age 18 and 2.9 percent of those age 65 or over. In

8611-408: The north and east of St. Simons Island and is accessible only by boat. Privately owned, it is the only island in the group virtually untouched by development. Its 10,000 acres (4,000 ha) include maritime forests, marshland, and seven miles of unspoiled, natural beach. The Lodge on Little St. Simons, a rustic retreat originally built as a hunting lodge offers the only available accommodations, with

8720-400: The north end of St. Simon's Island, is an archaeological site that includes a Late Archaic shell ring . The Cannon's Point site has yielded evidence of occupation by Native Americans since at least as early as the appearance of ceramics in the southeastern United States. Milanich lists the succession of periods at Cannon's Point as: Sapelo Period (2500–1000 BC); ceramics related to those of

8829-491: The owners stayed on the mainland in Darien and other towns, especially during the summers, because the Island was considered swamp lands. Still, enslaved Geechee people lived on the island and were not allowed to come to the mainland unless accompanied by an enslaver. This season was considered bad for diseases in the lowlands. These enslaved people were held in smaller groups and interacted more with whites. They were also confused with

8938-494: The park, as well as local shrimp boats that trawl the area's offshore shrimping grounds. Readers of Travel + Leisure voted Brunswick one of America's Best Small Towns for July 4 in 2014. Located on the east side of the Brunswick peninsula are the " Marshes of Glynn ", commemorated by Georgia poet, Sidney Lanier . Just down US 17 is the Sidney Lanier Bridge, site of an annual 5K run that draws participants from throughout

9047-434: The people at Fort Frederica . The new church was named Wesley United Methodist Church at Frederica. In 1778 Colonel Samuel Elbert commanded Georgia's Continental Army and Navy. On April 15, he learned that four British vessels (the naval vessels HMS  Galatea and HMS Hinchinbrook, and the hired vessels Rebecca , and Hatter ) from East Florida were sailing in St. Simons Sound. Elbert commanded about 360 troops from

9156-457: The pier on its south shore, and later by car via the F. J. Torras Causeway . In 1938, the McKinnon St. Simons Island Airport opened, serving general aviation. Commercial air travelers arrive via the nearby Brunswick Golden Isles Airport (BQK). Three island marinas accommodate pleasure boaters. Today, the island is marketed as one of Georgia's " Golden Isles ", and visitation occurs throughout

9265-523: The position of Sergeant of London. Notable features include the Sidney Lanier Bridge which spans the entrance to the Port of Brunswick, and is one of the gateways to the Golden Isles. It is currently the longest spanning bridge in Georgia. The Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) is headquartered in Glynn County, and provides training for several federal law enforcement agencies. The Brunswick Golden Isles Airport serves residents and tourists alike, and

9374-564: The present site of Massengale Park, opened in 1888. About a decade later, two hotels were built near the pier. The arrival of the automobile and the opening of the Torras Causeway in 1924 ensured the continued growth of tourism on St. Simons, the only one of the Golden Isles not privately held. New hotels were built. Roads were constructed, and tourism became the dominant force in the Island's economy. On April 8, 1942, World War II became

9483-443: The primary attractions that brings visitors to the Golden Isles is its vast and diverse array of wildlife and marine vegetation. The area's most distinctive characteristic, its extensive marshes and estuaries , provide an abundance of food plus breeding grounds for a multitude of land, sea, and air creatures. Most of the area between the islands and the mainland consists of marshland, dominated by smooth cordgrass ( Spartina ), which

9592-416: The rear of the beach protect the inland vegetation and serve as an essential buffer during storm tides. The picturesque sea oats along the dunes, with their complex root systems help keep the sand in place; and Georgia law prohibits picking them. Beach morning glories and their vines serve a similar purpose. During certain times of year, dead cordgrass (known as wrack ) washes up on the beach and gathers at

9701-476: The scenic landscape, and their work is on display in several island galleries. Glynn Visual Arts is a non-profit organization serving local artists with exhibits, festivals, and classes in several media, including painting and drawing , pottery , photography , mixed media , jewelry , and many others. The Literary Guild of St. Simons Island supports writers with literary and cultural events. A non-profit theater group, The Island Players, schedules productions in

9810-487: The seacoast there in his poem, " The Marshes of Glynn ", which begins: During World War II, Naval Air Station Glynco , named for the county, was a major base for training for blimps and anti-submarine warfare . The Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) now uses a substantial part of the former NAS as its main campus. According to the U.S. Census Bureau , the county has a total area of 585 square miles (1,520 km ), of which 420 square miles (1,100 km )

9919-524: The shore, and in the marshes, a wide variety of native and migratory shorebirds can be seen year-round. Species include sandpipers , plovers , terns , gulls , herons , egrets , hawks , ospreys , cormorants , white ibis , brown pelicans , and the southern bald eagle . The area surrounding St. Simons Island and the Altamaha River delta is an important stopover for migrating shorebirds traveling between South America and their spawning grounds in

10028-548: The sole municipality in Glynn County and the county government seat. The Köppen Climate Classification System rates the climate of St. Simons Island as humid subtropical. Ocean breezes tend to moderate the island climate, as compared to the nearby mainland. Daytime mean highs in winter range from 61 to 68 °F (16 to 20 °C), with nighttime lows averaging 43 to 52 °F (6 to 11 °C). Summertime mean highs are 88 to 90 °F (31 to 32 °C), with average lows 73 to 75 °F (23 to 24 °C). The average rainfall

10137-462: The southern part of the island after the Guale rebellion of 1597 , and replaced by Timucua speaking Mocama people. The mission of San Buenaventura de Guadalquini was established on the southern end of St. Simons sometime between 1597 and 1609 (probably near the present-day St. Simons Island Light ) and was the northernmost mission in the Mocama area. The Timucua language name for St. Simon's Island

10246-457: The tabby slave cabins at Hamilton. Both are open to the public. One former slave cabin from Retreat Plantation has been restored, and today houses a local gift shop. Even before the Civil War , Island plantations had begun their decline due to a dramatic slackening of English demand, lack of crop rotation for soil management , and absentee ownership. Postwar, the area languished until the advent of

10355-729: The war, McKinnon Airport became Naval Air Station St. Simons, home to the Navy Radar Training School. The King and Prince Hotel , built in 1941, was used as a training facility and radar station. It was listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in 2005. President Jimmy Carter visited the island with his brother Billy Carter in 1977, arriving by Marine One . During the postwar years, as resort and vacation travel increased, permanent residential development began to take place on St. Simons Island and surrounding mainland communities. The island's population grew from 1,706 in 1950 to 13,381 by 2000. St. Simons Island

10464-602: The waters off South Georgia and Florida are their only known calving grounds, the NOAA has designated a critical habitat area extending from the Altamaha River delta to Melbourne, Florida. Federal law prohibits vessels from approaching or remaining within 500 yards of a right whale. In December, 2014, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources estimated that there were fewer than 100 breeding females in existence. Because of its long and varied history and mixture of disparate peoples,

10573-452: The western shore of St. Simons Island to defend the Georgia colony from the Spaniards to the south. Title to the "Debatable Land" was finally established in 1742, after the Battle of Bloody Marsh on St. Simons Island. By way of strategic brilliance and trickery, Gen. Oglethorpe and his badly outnumbered force defeated the Spaniards, who then retreated to St. Augustine , never to return. When

10682-502: The year but is heaviest in the spring and summer months. Accommodations consist primarily of hotels, private rental homes, and condominium apartments along the beach and inland. Transportation is provided via taxis and vehicle rentals, including golf carts. Bicycle rentals are also available. Visitors come to St. Simons Island for its beaches, scenic vistas, water sports, fishing, sailing, golf, historical sites, and laid-back lifestyle. The PGA Tour's RSM Classic (formerly McGladrey Classic)

10791-566: Was Guadalquini . The Spanish called it Isla de Ballenas (Isle of Whales). Some Spanish documents called the island Boadalquivi . Raiders from the Chichimecos (the Spanish name for Westos ), Uchise (the Spanish name for Muscogee ), and Chiluque (a name the Spanish used for a faction of the Mocamo and for Yamassee ) and possibly other nations, aided and supported by the English in the Province of Carolina , attacked Colon (also called San Simon)

10900-616: Was AT&T president Theodore Vail , who participated from there in the first transcontinental telephone call on January 25, 1915. After the Panic of 1907 , Senator Nelson Aldrich convened secret meetings of prominent bankers at the Club, under the guise of a duck hunting trip, to formulate plans for a central banking structure, which ultimately became the basis for the Federal Reserve System . By statute, commercial development on Jekyll Island

11009-547: Was Georgia native Jimmy Carter . 31°13′N 81°29′W  /  31.22°N 81.49°W  / 31.22; -81.49 St. Simons Island St. Simons Island (or simply St. Simons ) is a barrier island and census-designated place (CDP) located on St. Simons Island in Glynn County , Georgia , United States. The names of the community and the island are interchangeable, known simply as "St. Simons Island" or "SSI", or locally as "The Island". St. Simons

11118-452: Was built beginning in 1736 as the military headquarters of the Province of Georgia during the early English colonial period . It served as a buffer against Spanish incursion from Florida . Nearby is the site of the Battle of Gully Hole Creek and Battle of Bloody Marsh , where on July 7, 1742, the British ambushed Spanish troops marching single file through the marsh and routed them from

11227-473: Was designated as a National Monument in 1947. In the 1730s, St. Simons served as a sometime home to John Wesley , the young minister of the colony at Savannah. He later returned to England, where in 1738, he founded the evangelical movement of Methodism within the Anglican Church. Wesley performed missionary work at St. Simons but was despondent about failing to bring about conversions. (He wrote that

11336-516: Was destroyed during the Civil War). Today, the Lighthouse and Museum are open to the public on a daily basis. Adjacent to the Lighthouse is Neptune Park which has a public pool and playground. The nearby Pier is a draw for anglers, tourists, and sightseers. The Pier Village on Mallery Street is lined with boutiques and a variety of restaurants. Not far from the village, beaches include Massengale Park and

11445-583: Was later constructed to protect the City of Darien and its important commerce. Tourism is the most important economic driver in the Golden Isles, with an estimated 2.4 million visitors in 2014. Other key components of the local economy include the Port of Brunswick, Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, aviation support services, and manufacturing. Travelers to the area arrive primarily via Brunswick Golden Isles Airport and Interstate 95 . McKinnon St. Simons Island Airport serves general aviation. St. Simons Island

11554-523: Was never established, but the name persists to this day. By the 1730s, the Native American population had declined, and Great Britain had prevailed to the extent of founding the colony of Georgia under the leadership of Gen. James Oglethorpe , who established the city of Savannah . (Some three decades later, the town of Brunswick would be laid out in a similar grid pattern, consisting of streets and squares.) In 1736, Oglethorpe built Fort Frederica on

11663-463: Was ordered to move south and merge with the mission of San Juan del Puerto on the St. Johns River . Before the mission could be moved, pirates returned to the area in the second half of 1684. On hearing of the presence of the pirates, Lorenzo de Santiago, chief of San Buenaventura, moved the people of his village, along with most of their property and stored maize, to the mainland. When the pirates landed at San Buenaventura, they found only ten men under

11772-619: Was sought by competing Old World powers. By the late 1600s most of present-day Georgia became known as the "Debatable Land," while the French, Spanish and English all fought to establish dominance. During this time, a Scottish nobleman, Sir Robert Montgomery, who envisioned a utopian colony between the Savannah and Altamaha rivers, published "A Description of the Golden Islands" in London (1720). The colony

11881-461: Was to convert enslaved African-Americans in Georgia (as well as those in the rest of the Thirteen Colonies ) to Christianity. On April 5, 1987, fifty-five St. Simons United Methodist Church members were commissioned, with Bishop Frank Robertson as the first pastor, to begin a new church on the north end of St. Simons Island. This was where John and Charles Wesley had preached and ministered to

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