Golden Isles of Georgia facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Golden Isles
Golden Isles, Georgia
Country	United States
State	Georgia
County	Glynn
Elevation	1 ft (0 m)
Time zone	UTC−5 (EST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−4 (EDT)
ZIP codes	31520-31525, 31527, 31561
Area code(s)	912
Website	www.goldenisles.com

The Golden Isles of Georgia are a beautiful group of four barrier islands and the nearby port city of Brunswick. They are located along the 100-mile coast of Georgia on the Atlantic Ocean. These islands include St. Simons Island, Sea Island, Jekyll Island, and Little St. Simons Island. The historic city of Brunswick is also part of this special area.

The Golden Isles are a popular travel spot. They offer mild winters, natural beaches, and huge areas of marshland. You can also explore old forests, historical sites, and lots of amazing wildlife. Families, nature lovers, and people who enjoy fishing and water sports love to visit. Golfers and history fans also find plenty to do here.

All the islands are located in Glynn County. They are in the lower middle part of Georgia's eleven barrier islands. The average temperature here is a pleasant 68°F. In July, temperatures can reach about 90°F. St. Simons Island is the biggest island. About 12,743 people lived there in 2010.

Little St. Simons Island is just north of St. Simons. You can only get there by boat. It is privately owned and kept in its natural state. It has a small guest lodge and cottages. Jekyll Island is owned by the state of Georgia. It is run as a state park with some homes. Sea Island is privately owned. It is home to the famous Cloister resort and very expensive homes.

The city of Brunswick has a long history. It dates back to the early days of the Georgia colony. General James Oglethorpe founded the colony. Brunswick's port was important for the new nation's growth. In 1789, George Washington named Brunswick one of the first five ports for the thirteen colonies. During World War II, Brunswick built many Liberty ships. It also had a major base for blimps called Naval Air Station Glynco.

Tourism is the main way the Golden Isles makes money. About 2.4 million people visited in 2014. Other important parts of the local economy include the Port of Brunswick. The Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, aviation services, and manufacturing are also key. Most visitors arrive by flying into Brunswick Golden Isles Airport or driving on Interstate 95. McKinnon St. Simons Island Airport is for smaller private planes.

Exploring the Golden Isles Communities

St. Simons Island: Fun for Everyone

St. Simons Island is the largest of the Golden Isles. It had a population of 12,743 people in 2010. You can reach it by driving over the F. J. Torras Causeway. The island is a popular place for tourists. People love its beaches, water sports, and boating. Fishing, golf, nature trails, and historical sites are also big draws. There are also many shops, restaurants, and nightlife spots.

The St. Simons Lighthouse is on the south end of the island. It has been working since 1872. An older lighthouse was destroyed during the Civil War. Today, you can visit the Lighthouse and Museum daily. Next to the Lighthouse is Neptune Park. It has a public pool and playground. The nearby Pier is great for fishing, tourists, and sightseeing. The Pier Village has many unique shops and restaurants.

Close to the village are beaches like Massengale Park. The Coast Guard Station Beach is also popular. It has the Maritime Center Museum. Near the Coast Guard beach is the Bloody Marsh battle site. In 1742, a small group of British soldiers beat a much larger Spanish army there. This battle ended Spain's power north of Florida.

Further north, you can find the ruins of Fort Frederica. General James Oglethorpe built it in 1736. It protected the Georgia colony. Cannon's Point is also nearby. It's a 600-acre nature preserve. It has forests, marshland, hiking trails, and old plantation ruins.

Most homes on St. Simons Island are single-family houses and condos. Many are rented out during busy times. Because of the mild weather, outdoor activities happen all year. These include hiking, biking, and kayaking. Paddle-boarding, fishing, and beachcombing are also popular. Golf is one of the island's biggest attractions. The PGA's RSM Classic golf tournament happens here in November.

Sea Island: A Private Paradise

Sea Island is a private resort and neighborhood. It is east of St. Simons Island. You can get there by a causeway. This fancy resort has several properties. These include The Cloister, Beach Club, and Cottages on Sea Island. On St. Simons Island, they have The Lodge and The Inn at Sea Island.

Usually, only guests, homeowners, and club members can access Sea Island. The resort also has three championship golf courses. One of them, the Seaside course on St. Simons Island, hosts the annual PGA tour event, The RSM Classic.

In June 2004, President George W. Bush hosted the G8 Summit on Sea Island. This was a meeting of leaders from eight major countries.

Little St. Simons Island: Wild Nature Escape

Little St. Simons Island is north and east of St. Simons Island. You can only reach it by boat. It is privately owned. This island is special because it's almost completely untouched by buildings. It has 10,000 acres of forests, marshland, and seven miles of natural beach.

The Lodge on Little St. Simons is a rustic place to stay. It was once a hunting lodge. Only 32 guests can stay there each night. A team of naturalists leads guided tours along the beach and inland. You can go birding, kayaking, biking, hiking, fishing, and take nature photos. Guests leave from a private boat dock on St. Simons Island. The Lodge is recognized for its commitment to sustainable tourism.

The Audubon Society has named Little St. Simons Island an "Important Bird Area." This means it's a crucial place for many bird species.

Jekyll Island: State Park Fun

Jekyll Island is fully owned by the state of Georgia. The Jekyll Island Authority manages it. It is south of St. Simons Island. You can get there by the Downing Musgrove Causeway (GA 520) from US 17. You need to buy a parking pass to drive onto the island. As of June 2015, it cost $6.00 daily.

The island has 10 miles of beach and four golf courses. There's also a Nature Center and boat tours. The Jekyll Island Convention Center hosts events. You can find many places to stay. The Jekyll Island Museum offers tours of the Historic Landmark District. This area has homes built by rich businessmen from the late 1800s and early 1900s. Famous names like J. P. Morgan and Joseph Pulitzer owned homes here.

The Georgia Sea Turtle Center on Jekyll Island is a special place. It's a hospital for injured sea turtles. It's also a research and education center. It helps protect sea turtles. You can visit the Center all year. They have exhibits, and you can see the turtle patients. They also offer educational programs and field trips.

The Jekyll Island Club opened in 1888. It quickly became one of the most exclusive private clubs in the U.S. Important people like AT&T president Theodore Vail were members. He even participated in the first transcontinental phone call from there in 1915. After a financial crisis in 1907, Senator Nelson Aldrich held secret meetings at the Club. They pretended to be on a duck hunting trip. They planned a central banking system. This plan later became the Federal Reserve System.

Laws strictly limit new buildings on Jekyll Island. Homeowners on the island rent their land from the state with long-term leases.

Historic Brunswick: A City with Character

Brunswick's first English settler was Captain Mark Carr. He started a plantation there in 1738. He served under General James Oglethorpe. Four years later, Captain Carr fought in the Battle of Bloody Marsh. In 1771, the Royal Province of Georgia bought Carr's land. The city was then designed in the "Oglethorpe grid" pattern. This is similar to Savannah's layout. The Brunswick Old Town Historic District is on the National Register of Historic Places. It has several landmarks and 19th-century homes.

Mary Ross Park on the East River hosts many events. These include concerts, weddings, and a farmer's market. The annual Brunswick Stewbilee is also held here. Cruise ships dock at the park. Nearby, local shrimp boats get ready for their next trip. Travel + Leisure readers voted Brunswick one of America's Best Small Towns for July 4th in 2014. They liked the park's events and the town's "overall historic vibe."

On the east side of the Brunswick peninsula are the "Marshes of Glynn." Georgia poet Sidney Lanier made them famous. Just down US 17 is the Sidney Lanier Bridge. An annual 5K run is held there. It attracts runners from all over the Southeast.

Glynn County: Home of the Golden Isles

Glynn County, Georgia, is where the Golden Isles are located. It is one of Georgia's first eight counties. It was created in 1777 from land once held by Creek Indians. Brunswick is the county seat. It is the only official city in the county. Glynn County is named after John Glynn. He was a member of the British Parliament. He was a friend of the colonies.

Important features include the Sidney Lanier Bridge. It spans the entrance to the Port of Brunswick. It is one of the main ways to get to the Golden Isles. It is currently the longest bridge in Georgia. The Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) is in Glynn County. It trains federal law enforcement agencies. The Brunswick Golden Isles Airport serves locals and tourists. It also has a growing aviation services industry.

In 2010, Glynn County had a population of 79,626 people.

A Glimpse into Golden Isles History

The Golden Isles were first settled about 4,500 years ago. Tribes of the Creek nation lived here. When the Spanish arrived in the early 1500s, they met the Guale and Mocame tribes. These were part of the Timucuan people. Native Americans and Europeans sometimes got along, and sometimes fought. Different European powers wanted their loyalty. By the late 1600s, most of Georgia was called the "Debatable Land." The French, Spanish, and English all fought for control.

During this time, a Scottish nobleman, Sir Robert Montgomery, had a dream. He wanted to create a perfect colony between the Savannah and Altamaha rivers. He wrote a book called "A Description of the Golden Islands" in London in 1720. His colony was never built, but the name "Golden Isles" stuck.

By the 1730s, the Native American population had decreased. Great Britain had gained more control. They founded the colony of Georgia. General James Oglethorpe led this effort. He established the city of Savannah. Later, the town of Brunswick was designed similarly. It had a grid pattern of streets and squares. In 1736, Oglethorpe built Fort Frederica. It was on the western shore of St. Simons Island. Its purpose was to protect the Georgia colony from the Spanish to the south.

The ownership of the "Debatable Land" was finally decided in 1742. This happened after the Battle of Bloody Marsh on St. Simons Island. General Oglethorpe and his smaller army cleverly defeated the Spanish. The Spanish then went back to St. Augustine and never returned. When Oglethorpe's army was disbanded in 1749, Fort Frederica was no longer used. It was destroyed by fire in 1758. Today, the fort's remains and the Bloody Marsh site are national monuments. The National Park Service manages them.

Military action on the south Georgia coast during the American Revolution was small. It was much less than events in the north. In April 1778, there was a short naval battle off St. Simons Island. The Americans won. However, the British captured Savannah later that year. This effectively ended fighting in the area.

After the Revolution, farming became important. The Golden Isles region grew rice and cotton. On St. Simons Island, a special type of cotton grew. It was called Sea Island cotton. It had long fibers and was very popular in England. Several plantations thrived on St. Simons. These included Hamilton, Retreat, Hampton, and Cannon's Point. Today, only the ruins at Cannon's Point and the tabby slave cabins at Hamilton remain. They are open to the public. One former slave cabin from Retreat Plantation has been restored. It is now a local gift shop.

Even before the Civil War, island plantations started to decline. English demand for cotton slowed down. Farmers didn't rotate crops, which hurt the soil. Also, many owners didn't live on their plantations. After the war, the area struggled. Then, lumber mills started up in the late 1800s. During this time, a new lighthouse was built. It replaced the one destroyed during the Civil War. The current Lovely Lane Chapel was built. Christ Church was rebuilt. One of the island mills supplied wood for New York's Brooklyn Bridge.

As the 1900s began, cars became popular. A new industry started: vacation travel. In 1924, the F. J. Torras Causeway opened. This made St. Simons Island easy to reach for everyone. Sea Island, Little St. Simons, and Jekyll Island stayed privately owned. Jekyll Island became a winter home for rich business people and bankers from the North.

During World War II, blimps from Glynco Naval Air Station in Brunswick flew over the Atlantic. They protected ships and looked for German U-Boats. The Brunswick harbor was a very important place for building Liberty Ships.

Golden Isles Weather and Nature

Geography and Climate: What's the Weather Like?

Brunswick and its four barrier islands are on the south Georgia coast. They are about halfway between Savannah and Jacksonville. The islands are between the Altamaha River delta to the north and the Satilla River to the south. This area is the center of the Georgia Bight. This is an inward curve of the east coast. It stretches from Cape Fear, North Carolina to Cape Canaveral, Florida. This shape causes tides to be more extreme here. They can range from six to ten feet.

The Golden Isles has a humid subtropical climate. This means it has hot summers and mild winters. The average low temperature in January is about 42.6°F. The average high in July is about 90.4°F. It rains the most in August and September. Snow and ice are very rare.

In 1968, a famous Chicago TV weatherman named P. J. Hoff retired. He studied climates all over the U.S. to find the best one. Based on his research, he chose the Golden Isles. He moved to St. Simons Island and lived there until he passed away in 1981.

Wildlife and Vegetation: Nature's Wonders

One of the main reasons people visit the Golden Isles is its amazing wildlife and plants. The area has vast marshes and estuaries. These provide lots of food and breeding grounds. Many creatures live here, including land, sea, and air animals.

Most of the land between the islands and the mainland is marshland. It is mostly covered by smooth cordgrass (Spartina). This grass provides important nutrients for the wildlife. Every fall, the marsh grass turns a beautiful amber color. This is why the area is called the Golden Isles.

You can see the results of this rich environment everywhere. Along the beaches and in the nearby forests, you'll spot many shorebirds. These include egrets, herons, white ibis, gulls, terns, plovers, sandpipers, pelicans, and ospreys. Birds of prey like vultures, hawks, and the southern bald eagle also live here. Five of the eighteen sites on Georgia's Colonial Coast Birding Trail are in the Golden Isles.

Along the beaches, waterways, and piers, you might see horseshoe crabs. Ghost crabs scurry in and out of their holes in the sand. You can also spot dolphins and manatees (in summer). Mullet fish often jump out of the water. Look for jellyfish, sand dollars, stingrays, and conch shells with hermit crabs.

Sand dunes behind the beach protect the plants inland. They also act as a buffer during storm tides. The pretty sea oats on the dunes have strong roots. They help keep the sand in place. It's against Georgia law to pick them. Beach morning glories also help hold the sand. Dead cordgrass, called wrack, washes up on the beach. Insects and tiny creatures in the wrack provide food. The wrack also traps sand, helping the dunes grow.

Behind the dunes, you'll find many different plants. This leads to the maritime forests. These forests create the tree canopy typical of Georgia's barrier islands. Live oaks, southern pines, cabbage palms, and magnolias form the canopy. Below them are many shrubs. These include palmettos, yaupon, yucca, prickly-pear cactus, and resurrection fern. The iconic Spanish Moss hangs from trees. The forest is also home to amphibians and land animals. You might see deer, snakes, raccoons, alligators, wild turkey, and frogs.

One of the area's most loved creatures is the loggerhead sea turtle. It is an endangered species. From late May to mid-August, female turtles come ashore after dark. They dig nests in the dunes above the high tide line and lay their eggs. Turtle eggs face many dangers from nature and humans. All sea turtle species are protected by law. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources works with local groups. They monitor, protect, and manage nests on Golden Isles beaches. They also do research and educate the public. The Georgia Sea Turtle Center on Jekyll Island helps injured turtles. It also provides research and education programs.

Another endangered species found offshore is the North Atlantic Right Whale. Whalers gave them their name because they were easy to hunt. They provided a lot of oil and baleen. Because of this, they were hunted almost to extinction. Right whales are now protected by law. The waters off South Georgia and Florida are their only known calving grounds. NOAA has set up a critical habitat area for them. It stretches from the Altamaha River delta to Melbourne, Florida. Federal law says vessels must stay at least 500 yards away from a right whale. In December 2014, there were fewer than 100 breeding females left.

Golden Isles Culture and Fun

Arts and Music: Creative Expressions

The Golden Isles has a rich cultural heritage. This is due to its long history and mix of different people. Locals work to keep this culture alive. There's also a lively modern culture. You can see it in many creative arts. Local theater shows, art exhibits, and music festivals happen all year. Culinary events, environmental shows, and art and photography shows are also common. You can find these events at places like the Historic Ritz Theatre. Other venues include Brunswick Actors Theatre, Mary Ross Park, Neptune Park, and the St. Simons Island Casino.

The Golden Isles has a growing number of art galleries. These are places where artists share their work. Golden Isles Arts & Humanities in Brunswick helps artists. Glynn Visual Arts on St. Simons Island also supports both new and experienced artists.

A unique local art form is the Tree Spirits of St. Simons Island. A local sculptor created them. They honor sailors lost at sea on ships made from island wood. Some Native Americans are also remembered. Their sad faces create a powerful experience for visitors.

The ancient art of stained glass can be seen in many places. At Christ Church Frederica, "The Confession of St. Peter" window is from 1899. Faith Chapel on Jekyll Island has a window signed by Louis Tiffany. Lovely Lane Chapel at Epworth by the Sea has Old English Art Glass windows. Another Tiffany window is at St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Brunswick. You can also see beautiful examples at the King & Prince Resort, the Cloister Hotel, and the Jekyll Island Club Hotel. Many other churches in the area also have them.

In late spring and summer, music lovers enjoy outdoor concerts. These are held at Mary Ross Waterfront Park in Brunswick and Neptune Park on St. Simons Island. Jekyll Island hosts yearly festivals. These feature both local and visiting performers.

African-American Heritage: Gullah Geechee Culture

The Golden Isles is near the southern end of the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor. This coastal area goes from Wilmington, NC, to Jacksonville, FL. It extends 30 miles inland. Gullah Geechee refers to a people, a language, and a culture. The Gullah Geechee people are descendants of enslaved people. They came mainly from West and Central Africa. They were brought to work on cotton and rice plantations along the coast. The Gullah language is a creole language. It mixes English with several African dialects.

Coastal plantations, especially those growing rice, were often isolated. This was due to tropical diseases like malaria. Plantation owners often stayed inland. Because of this, the West African enslaved people formed strong communities. They kept more of their homeland culture and languages. This Gullah Geechee way of life continued mostly unchanged. This was until coastal development began in the 1900s. The Heritage Corridor helps protect and preserve this unique culture.

The St. Simons African American Heritage Coalition works to preserve Gullah Geechee culture. They also educate people about it. They host the annual Sea Island Festival each June on St. Simons Island. Performers at the Festival have included the Georgia Sea Island Singers. This world-famous folk group specializes in Gullah music and dance. The Coalition also gives tours of Gullah Geechee sites on the island. They recently helped raise money to restore the historic Harrington School House. It dates to the 1920s and served the island's African-American communities.

Ghost Stories: Spooky Tales

With its long history, the Golden Isles has many ghost stories. Locals and tour guides often share these tales:

• Mary the Wanderer: She lost her love in a sea storm. She is sometimes seen with a lantern or riding a white horse. She is still searching for him.
• The flickering light in Christ Church cemetery: A candle is said to have been placed there. It was by the husband of a woman who feared the dark. She always kept a lighted candle by her bed.
• The ghost of Frederick Osborne at the St. Simons Lighthouse: He was a lighthouse keeper. He was killed in a duel.
• The Jekyll Island Club Hotel: Several long-dead guests are said to still visit the hotel. They just haven't checked out yet!

Annual Festivals and Events: Fun All Year

• Southeast Georgia Health System Bridge Run
  • February – Brunswick. A challenging 5K race over the Sidney Lanier Bridge. Other events are also held. It's scheduled on the Saturday of Presidents Day weekend.
• Blessing of the Fleet
  • May – Brunswick. A two-day celebration of the Golden Isles shrimp fishing industry. It's scheduled on Mother's Day weekend.
• Turtle Crawl Triathlon & Nest Fest
  • May – Jekyll Island. A USA Triathlon-approved event. It includes an International Distance Triathlon, a Sprint Distance Triathlon, and a 5K Run.
• Georgia Sea Island Festival
  • June – St. Simons Island. A celebration of African-American Gullah Geechee culture. It features music, crafts, and food. The Georgia Sea Island Singers perform.
• Southern Grown Festival
  • June – St. Simons Island. All about Southern food and music. It includes chef demonstrations, a fish fry, classes, and lectures. There's also dinner, a concert, and a local Southern food market. Sunday brunch is also offered.
• Shrimp & Grits: The Wild Georgia Shrimp Festival
  • September – Jekyll Island. Enjoy shrimp boat tours, vendors, and live music. There's a kids' fun zone and chef demonstrations. You can try many shrimp and grits dishes.
• Brunswick Rockin' Stewbilee
  • October – Brunswick. A Brunswick Stew cooking contest. It also has a 5K run, live entertainment, a kids' fun zone, and an antique car show. Plus, arts and crafts.
• CoastFest
  • October – Brunswick. A day of environmental fun and learning. Interactive exhibits teach about coastal weather, plants, recycling, and sea turtles. Learn about water conservation, archeology, and geology.
• Golden Isles SUP Classic
  • October – St. Simons Island. Stand-up paddleboarding races. Winners receive cash prizes and trophies.
• Saint Simons Food & Spirits Festival
  • October – St. Simons Island. A weekend to celebrate the food and drinks of the Golden Isles. Food tastings are at the Pier Village. Many events happen at local restaurants. There's an artisan market, cooking classes, and kids' activities. Sunday brunch is also a highlight.
• The RSM Classic (formerly McGladrey Classic)
  • November – St. Simons Island. An official PGA Tour event. It's hosted by island resident Davis Love, III. It's held on the Seaside Course at the Sea Island Golf Club. The event started in 2010. In 2015, it added a second course and more players.
• Jekyll Tree Lighting Festival & Holidays in History
  • November and December – Jekyll Island. Starts with a Tree Lighting Festival after Thanksgiving. The celebration features lights and Christmas decorations in the Historic District. Enjoy themed tours, storytelling, caroling, and crafts.

Outdoor Sports and Activities: Get Active!

The Golden Isles has a mild climate. This means many outdoor activities are popular all year. Golf in the area started in the early 1900s. Courses were built on Jekyll Island for rich vacationers. Today, Glynn County has sixteen public and private courses. These include the historic Great Dunes Course on Jekyll Island. Walter Travis designed it, and it opened in 1928. The Seaside Course on St. Simons Island hosts the annual PGA tour event, The RSM Classic.

The Golden Isles marshes, creeks, rivers, sounds, and the Atlantic Ocean are full of nutrients. They are home to many types of fish and sea creatures. This attracts anglers from everywhere. In-shore and river fishing can catch trout, redfish, flounder, and more. Offshore, you can catch king mackerel, grouper, and several shark species. Fishing from the beach is also popular. You can also fish from the many piers and bridges. If you are over 16, you need a fishing license. There are also rules about fish size and how many you can catch.

The area's beautiful scenery and nature preserves attract photographers. Birdwatchers and kayakers also love it here. Popular water sports include sailing and offshore scuba diving. The calm tidal creeks and gentle surf make paddle boarding very popular. On land, you can go biking, hiking, tennis, and horseback riding. If you like disc golf, there's a course on St. Simons Island. Parks and playgrounds are great for families. Besides swimming and sunbathing, people visit Golden Isles beaches all year for walking, bird-watching, and shell-hunting.

Tourism: A Welcoming Destination

St. Simons Island was one of the few barrier islands not privately owned. So, it was the first of the Golden Isles to build places for tourists. This happened mainly on the south end, where visitors arrived by pier starting in the 1870s. Around this time, the fancy Oglethorpe Hotel opened in Brunswick. When cars became popular and the F. J. Torras Causeway opened in 1924, more facilities were built. Auto magnate Howard Coffin helped develop many of them. Soon, St. Simons Island became a favorite vacation spot. In 1928, Mr. Coffin, who had bought Sea Island earlier, opened the Cloister to great praise.

While St. Simons Island was becoming a tourist spot, Jekyll Island remained a private getaway for the rich and famous. But after the Great Depression and World War II, the Jekyll Island Club and its winter "cottages" were no longer used. In 1947, the State of Georgia bought the island. Their goal was to create a state park. Soon after, the Jekyll Island Authority was created by the state legislature. Its job was to manage the island and develop tourism.

Today, tourism in the Golden Isles takes many forms. There are day-trippers from nearby counties and weekend getaways. Families come for vacations. Business travelers, sports enthusiasts, and eco-tourists also visit. Many people come for weddings and family gatherings. You can find places to stay in all price ranges. These include hotels, resorts, rental houses, condos, and bed & breakfast inns. The renovated convention center on Jekyll Island reopened in May 2012. New hotels, restaurants, and shops followed.

Economy: How the Golden Isles Works

Tourism is the main driver of the economy in the Golden Isles. In 2014, it brought in an estimated $1.1 billion. The Sea Island Company, which runs resorts, is the largest employer in the area. The shrimping industry is also important, though less so economically. It was once known as the "shrimp capital of the world." Local shrimpers still provide fresh seafood to restaurants and stores.

The Port of Brunswick is key to the area's busy shipping industry. The Brunswick Airport is home to a growing aviation services industry. Healthcare and manufacturing are also major economic drivers. The Federal Law Enforcement Training Center is another important part of the economy.

Chamber of Commerce: Supporting Local Businesses

The Brunswick-Golden Isles Chamber of Commerce is a private group. It's made up of businesses, firms, schools, and individuals. They all work to help Brunswick and the Golden Isles grow and succeed.

The Chamber is not part of the city, county, or state government. It's a membership organization. Membership fees are tax deductible as a business expense. Businesses of all sizes are part of the Chamber. Over 1,300 businesses are members. About 80% of them are small businesses with 10 or fewer employees. They work together to improve the economy. They also help reduce problems for businesses in the community. The Chamber of Commerce speaks for Glynn County businesses.

Convention and Visitors Bureau: Welcoming Visitors

The Golden Isles Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) is the official group that promotes tourism in Glynn County, Georgia. The CVB manages two Welcome Centers in Glynn County.

You can find the Welcome Centers in Brunswick, on I-95 southbound, between exits 42 and 38. There's also one on St. Simons Island in the Pier Village area at 529 Beachview Drive.

The CVB has two main goals. First, to make the Golden Isles a nationally recognized resort destination. Second, to ensure visitors have the best experience. This helps protect the community's economic well-being.

Historical Landmarks and Attractions: Step Back in Time

Brunswick: City Landmarks

Old Glynn County Courthouse: A Historic Building

The Old Glynn County Courthouse sits among live oaks in Magnolia Square. This square was once a community pasture for livestock. The land was bought from the City in 1905 for just $1.00. Today, it's still surrounded by moss-covered live oaks. There are also foreign trees like Tung and Chinese pistachio.

New Jersey architect Charles Alling Gifford designed the courthouse. He was from the New York firm Gifford & Bates. Gifford also designed buildings in the National Historic Landmark District on Jekyll Island. These include Sans Souci Apartments (1896), Mistletoe Cottage (1900), and Jekyll Island Clubhouse Annex (1901). The first stone was laid on December 27, 1906. Construction finished on December 18, 1907. The total cost was $97,613. Restoration work began in the early 1990s.

It is a great example of Neoclassical Revival style or Beaux Arts architecture. This style was popular between 1885 and 1920. Beaux Arts mixes ancient Greek and Roman forms with Renaissance ideas. It's an eclectic Neoclassical style. The design suggests the idea of justice. Four identical entrances lead to interior columns. An intricate iron stair rail suggests delicate balance.

The new Glynn County Courthouse is just north of this building. Across from the Courthouse, at 1709 Reynolds Street, is the Mahoney-McGarvey House. It is known as one of the best examples of Carpenter Gothic architecture in Georgia.

Historic Ritz Theatre: From Opera to Movies

The Ritz Theatre was first called the Grand Opera House. It was a three-story Victorian building with fancy brick and stone work. It was built for live plays. Later, it hosted vaudeville shows. In the 1920s, when motion pictures became popular, it became a movie palace. To make it look more modern, the brickwork was covered with glass. A fancy marquee and sign were added. That's how the Grand Opera House became the Ritz Theatre. In 1956, the movie ""A View From Pompey's Head"" had its world premiere there. The film's star, Richard Egan, introduced it.

The Ritz Theatre, like many single movie houses, declined in the 1960s and 70s. In 1981, the City of Brunswick bought the Ritz. The theater was modernized again and changed a lot. However, the Ritz sign was kept. The roof over the auditorium had collapsed, leading to extensive rebuilding. This phase was finished in 1983.

In 2008, the Ritz joined the Fox Theatre Institute (FTI). FTI helps preserve historic theaters. They offer mentoring, preservation advice, and educational programs. In 2010, Golden Isles Arts and Humanities received a grant. With matching funds from the City of Brunswick, they restored the building's 58 original windows. These windows were loose and in danger of falling.

Local craftsmen James Taylor and Taylor Davis restored the windows. They used the original glass and much of the original wood. FTI and the city then supported repainting the building. In 1899, the Grand Opera House was built with unpainted brick. In the 1920s, it was painted white for a modern look. It would have been damaging to remove decades of paint. So, the theater was painted brick red when the city restored it in the 1980s. Local contractors refurbished the outside using the same colors. When the work finished in summer 2010, new curtains were made by Jennifer George.

The original Ritz sign was the last part of the exterior to be restored. The sign hadn't worked fully for years. FTI helped again. In May 2011, local company Fendig Signs did a lot of restoration work. This included painting, rewiring, and making new neon letters. The restored sign was put back in the fall. On November 4, 2011, Golden Isles Arts and Humanities held a grand re-lighting celebration.

The Ritz Theatre is in the "Old Town Brunswick" National Register District. It was built in 1899. It housed the Grand Opera House, shops, and railroad offices. Today, it's downtown Brunswick's historic theater and arts center. It has live performances, films, exhibits, and educational programs all year. Golden Isles Arts and Humanities Association manages its programs. 1530 Newcastle Street, Brunswick, GA 31520

Hofwyl-Broadfield Plantation: A Rice Farm's Story

• Main article: Hofwyl-Broadfield Plantation

In the early 1800s, William Brailsford of Charleston created a rice plantation. It was built from marshes along the Altamaha River. The plantation was part of the polite society of the time. Growing rice became harder after the Civil War. But the family kept growing rice until 1913.

The fifth generation of the Dent family at Hofwyl-Broadfield decided to start a dairy farm. They did this instead of selling their family home. Gratz, Miriam, and Ophelia Dent worked to save their family's legacy. Ophelia was the last heir. She left the plantation to the state of Georgia in 1973.

A museum shows silver from the family's collection. It also has a model of Hofwyl-Broadfield from its busiest time. A short film about the plantation's history is shown. Then, visitors walk a short trail to the old home. A guided tour lets you see the home as Ophelia kept it. It has family heirlooms, old furniture, and Chinese china. This is a great place to see herons, egrets, and ibis. A nature trail leads back to the Visitors Center. It goes along the marsh where rice once grew. 5556 U.S. Highway 17 North, Brunswick, GA 31525

Old City Hall: A Grand Building

This building used to be the city courthouse part-time. Now, it's a popular place for events. People use it for class reunions and wedding receptions.

Old City Hall cost $33,000 to build. It was fully restored with special sales tax money. It reopened in 2004. Its shiny heart-pine and marble floors are beautiful. It has original vintage fireplaces and new gaslight fixtures. These give any event an old-fashioned, elegant feel.

Construction on Old Brunswick City Hall started in 1886. Alfred Eichberg designed it. It was finished in 1889. The clock/bell tower was added in 1893. The building's style is Richardsonian Romanesque. It also has elements of Queen Anne style.

This style was popular for public buildings in the U.S. during that time. It's large and has unusual Italianate brackets. Fancy terracotta decorations are on the clock tower and side entries. The corner columns have gargoyles. 1229 Newcastle Street, Brunswick, GA 31520

St. Simons Island: Island Treasures

A.W. Jones Heritage Center: Island History

The 10,000-square-foot A.W. Jones Heritage Center opened in April 2008. It has an entrance gallery and a museum shop. There's also a large event hall that can be rented. The second floor has offices, a research library, and a huge collection of historical items. These items are from hundreds of years of coastal Georgia history. The Heritage Center shop sells many collectibles and souvenirs. Local artists and writers are featured there. 610 Beachview Drive, St. Simons Island, GA 31522

Arthur J. Moore Methodist Museum and Library: Faith and History

Bishop Moore bought this property in 1949. He dreamed it would become a retreat center and a place of inspiration. Moore was a Bishop for over 20 years. He was also a leader in worldwide missions. The Arthur J. Moore Methodist Museum opened in June 1966. It started as a small library with many books from the Bishop's collection. At first, the museum focused on Southern Methodist history. It had oriental porcelains and other items Moore collected on his travels.

Dr. Charles Layman, a famous theologian and writer, gave many items to the museum. He had a large collection about John Wesley. The museum's Wesley collection grew quickly. Later, Rev. David Ogletree also gave many historical items about Wesley.

The research library has also grown a lot over the years. It has over 6,000 books. Each spring, thousands of young people visit Epworth by the Sea. They come from churches across the Southeastern U.S. for their confirmation class training.

This modern building holds many treasures. They range from St. Simons Island history to the Wesley family. The Wesley brothers landed here with General Oglethorpe in 1736. The museum also shows how the Methodist church started and changed.

The museum has a new interactive kiosk. People of all ages can learn about circuit riders and early Methodism in Georgia. There's also a fun game where you can ride with a circuit rider. This lets you experience bringing faith to the frontier. The museum also has a wonderful collection of nativities. 100 Arthur J. Moore Drive, St. Simons Island, GA 31522

Avenue of the Oaks: A Grand Entrance

From 1760 until the American Civil War, cotton and rice plantations thrived here. The Sea Island cotton grown here was famous worldwide for its quality. Retreat Plantation was one of the most successful plantations. It was on the southern tip of St. Simons Island.

Anna Page King inherited the land in 1826. She planted the famous Avenue of the Oaks. People say Anna grew so many flowers at Retreat Plantation. Sailors nearing St. Simons Island could smell the flowers before they saw the shore. The Avenue of the Oaks was once the entrance to Retreat Plantation. Now, it's the entrance to the Sea Island Golf Club. You can drive around the double row of live oak trees. Most of them date back to around 1830.

Bloody Marsh Battle Site: A Turning Point

At the Bloody Marsh Battle Site, on July 7, 1742, British troops won a key victory. A smaller British force ambushed and defeated Spanish troops. This stopped a planned attack on Fort Frederica. Markers and information panels explain the battle. This battle finally ended Spain's claims to the Georgia territory.

The Bloody Marsh Unit is at 1810 Demere Road, St. Simons Island, GA 31522. The National Park Service manages this site. It's part of Fort Frederica National Monument.

Cannon's Point Preserve: Wild Beauty

Cannon's Point is a 600-acre wilderness area. It's on the northeast corner of St. Simons Island. It's the last untouched maritime forest on the island. The St. Simons Land Trust owns it. The Preserve includes salt marsh, tidal creek, and river shoreline. It also has 4,000-year-old shell middens. These are ancient piles of shells left by early people. You can also see ruins of a 17th-century plantation home and slave quarters. The Nature Conservancy helps protect the property.

The Preserve is open to the public on certain days and hours. Visitors should wear clothes suitable for a wilderness trip. Remember to bring bug spray.

Cassina Garden Club Slave Cabins: A Glimpse into the Past

Hamilton Plantation was owned by James Hamilton from Scotland. It was located on Gascoigne Bluff near Fort Frederica. The Bluff was named after Captain James Gascoigne. He commanded the British ship Hawk. The Bluff became a storage area for marine supplies. It also had ship repair facilities. It was Georgia's first naval base. Hamilton Plantation grew long staple Sea Island cotton. It also produced oak and pine timbers.

Two of the several tabby slave cabins built on the plantation still stand today. They were made of tabby. This is a concrete-like mix of lime, sand, water, and oyster shells. The mix was poured into wooden frames to harden. The cabins were divided in the middle by a fireplace. This created two rooms, housing two families. Glass windows and wooden doors suggest these cabins were for enslaved people with higher privileges.

The Cassina Garden Club started meeting in these cabins in 1932. They were given the property in 1950. As owners of this historic site, the Cassina Garden Club has carefully restored the cabins. They display many artifacts and historical information.

The cabins are next to Epworth by the Sea. This is a Methodist Conference Center. General Oglethorpe's secretary, Charles Wesley, and his brother, John, walked these grounds. John Wesley is considered the founder of the Methodist Church. All of this property was once part of Hamilton Plantation. This historic property was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1988.

Christ Church, Frederica: A Peaceful Place

Christ Church, Frederica, is in a peaceful setting. It's surrounded by live oaks, holly, and cedar trees. On this site, among huge oak trees, John and Charles Wesley preached. They later returned to England to help found the Methodist Church. The Wesley brothers also played a big role in the Episcopal Church.

The first church building was built in 1820. But Union troops partly destroyed it during the Civil War. In 1884, Reverend Anson Phelps Dodge, Jr., built the current church. He built it in memory of his wife, Ellen. Christ Church is made of wood. It has a cross shape with a trussed Gothic roof and steeple. The grounds have a cemetery. Early settlers and famous Georgians are buried there. Author Eugenia Price, who wrote novels about St. Simons, is buried here. So is Lucien Knight, Georgia's first state historian. The cemetery's oldest tombstone is from 1803.

Today, the church and its stained glass windows are home to the Episcopal congregation. Christ Church is one of St. Simons Island's most treasured landmarks.

Epworth By The Sea: A Christian Retreat

Epworth by the Sea is a famous conference and retreat center. The South Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church owns it. It can host up to 900 people. Epworth offers motel rooms, family apartments, and youth cabins. Auditoriums can seat from 300 to 900 people. Meeting rooms have audiovisual equipment. There's a swimming pool (in season), athletic field, and covered basketball courts. Tennis courts, bicycle rentals, and fishing piers offer sports for all ages.

Epworth welcomes guests from all over the world. It is open to all faiths, groups, and individuals. Their goal is "To provide a Christian place for worship, study and fellowship."

The 100-acre campus is on Gascoigne Bluff. This is a one-mile riverbank area. It stretches from the causeway bridge to the bend in the Frederica River. Over 200 years after John and Charles Wesley worked on St. Simons, Methodists decided this was the perfect spot for a center.

Businessman Alfred W. Jones, Sr., helped them. He was president of the Sea Island Company. The Methodists bought part of the Hamilton Plantation in 1949. They named it Epworth. This honored the Wesley brothers' childhood home in Epworth, England.

Lovely Lane Chapel is the oldest church building on St. Simons. It hosts Sunday services and weddings. It was built in 1880. It's named after the site of the 1784 founding conference of American Methodism in Baltimore, Maryland. 100 Arthur J. Moore Drive, St. Simons Island, GA 31522

Fort Frederica National Monument: Protecting the Colony

In the early 1700s, Georgia was a key area in a long conflict. Spain and Britain had been fighting for centuries. In 1736, three years after Savannah was founded, James Oglethorpe built Fort Frederica. It was meant to protect his southern border. 44 men and 72 women and children arrived to build the fort and town. By the 1740s, Frederica was a busy village of about 500 people. Colonists from England, Scotland, and German states came to support the effort. Georgia's future was decided in 1742. Spanish and British forces fought on St. Simons Island. Fort Frederica's troops defeated the Spanish in the Battle of Bloody Marsh. This ensured Georgia would be a British colony. However, the military threat to the Georgia coast lessened. The Fort's army was disbanded in 1749. Today, the old remains of Frederica are protected by the National Park Service. 6515 Frederica Road, St. Simons Island, GA 31522

Gascoigne Bluff: A Historic Landing Spot

Historically, Gascoigne Bluff was the first place a ship could land when entering the harbor. It was an Indian settlement long before the Wesleys landed here with James Oglethorpe. Gascoigne Bluff has been a military headquarters and a cotton plantation. It was also a lumber mill site and a shipping point for timber. Live oak timbers cut here in 1794 were used to build "Old Ironsides," the U.S.S. Constitution. In 1874, timbers were cut here for the Brooklyn Bridge.

At Gascoigne Bluff, you can visit the Cassina Garden Club Slave Cabins. These are from the Plantation Era. You can also see a Southern Red Cedar tree. It's the second largest of its kind in Georgia. There's a fishing pier and a stand of live oak trees. Across the Frederica River, you'll see three "ballast hammocks." These are small islands formed from rocks dumped by European ships. The ships dumped them before loading cotton or lumber.

Lovely Lane Chapel: Oldest Church on the Island

The oldest standing Church building on St. Simons Island, Georgia, is Lovely Lane Chapel. Its formal name was St. James Union Chapel. Norman W. Dodge built it in 1880. It was repaired after a hurricane in 1897. In 1911, it was no longer used as a church and became a recreation center. In 1949, after the Methodists bought the property, it was made a church again. Lovely Lane is named after the site of the 1784 Founding Conference of American Methodism in Baltimore, Maryland.

The chapel is currently open for Sunday Worship Service. It is also available for wedding ceremonies. 100 Arthur J. Moore Drive, St. Simons Island, GA 31522

Maritime Center: Coastal History and Rescue

The Maritime Center is located in the Historic Coast Guard Station. It has interactive exhibits and galleries. This museum offers an exciting look at coastal Georgia's nature. It also covers its maritime and military history. Explore seven galleries with hands-on exhibits and activities.

The historic U.S. Coast Guard Station at East Beach on St. Simons Island was one of 45 built by the Works Progress Administration (WPA). Work on the East Beach Station began in Fall 1935. It is believed to be one of only three surviving stations from that time.

The station and boathouse had its "First Watch" on April 1, 1937. When it first opened, the beach was just a few feet from the front door. Today, a large parking lot separates the station from the beach.

On April 8, 1942, German submarine U-123 sank two merchant ships, the SS Oklahoma and Esso Baton Rouge. This happened off the coast of St. Simons Island. Coast guardsmen and local residents helped with the rescue.

In 1995, the East Beach Station was closed. All local Coast Guard operations moved to mainland Brunswick. A new Coast Guard Station was finished in 2005. It's just east of the Sidney Lanier Bridge. 4201 1st Street, St. Simons Island, GA 31522

St. Simons Island Lighthouse Museum: Guiding Ships Home

In 1965, a strong group of 10 citizens formed the Coastal Georgia Historical Society. They successfully gathered support to preserve the area's coastal heritage. In 1975, the Keeper's Dwelling was almost sold for business development. The Society then restored this 1872 building. As a result, the dwelling opened in 1975 as the St. Simons Island Lighthouse Museum. The Society has managed it ever since.

In 1984, the United States Coast Guard leased the St. Simons Lighthouse. It became part of the museum complex. Today, the St. Simons Island Lighthouse Museum is an important part of the area's history. The lighthouse still lights the entrance to St. Simons Sound. It shows the history of navigation before and after the Civil War. In 2004, ownership of the St. Simons Island Lighthouse was given to the Coastal Georgia Historical Society. This was under the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act of 2000. In April 2006, the Maritime Center at the Historic Coast Guard Station opened. 610 Beachview Drive, St. Simons Island, GA 31522

Jekyll Island: Historic Sites

Georgia Sea Turtle Center: Helping Turtles Heal

The Georgia Sea Turtle Center helps sick and injured sea turtles. It also does research and education programs. Its goal is to raise awareness about protecting habitats and wildlife. It promotes caring for the ecosystem and encourages people to protect the environment.

The Georgia Sea Turtle Center is a hospital for sea turtles. It's the only hospital of its kind in Georgia. The Center is open to the public. It has an interactive Exhibit Gallery. The Rehabilitation Pavilion lets you see many sea turtle patients. 214 Stable Road (Corner of Hopkins and Stable Road), Jekyll Island, GA 31527

Horton House: Georgia's Oldest Building

Major William Horton was given Jekyll Island by the Georgia colony in 1738. He built this home in 1743. The Horton House is one of the oldest standing tabby concrete structures in Georgia.

Horton was a top military aid to General James Oglethorpe. He was in charge of troops at Fort Frederica on nearby St. Simons Island. Horton farmed the island. He grew crops to help supply Fort Frederica. This included hops and barley to make Georgia's first beer. Later, Horton added a warehouse to the site. Its remains still exist. His brewery, whose remains are down the road, supplied ale to troops and settlers. Today, the tabby ruins of Georgia's first brewery have mostly fallen into DuBignon Creek.

The site also has the cemetery of the DuBignon Family. They owned Jekyll from 1790 to 1886. They lived in the house from 1790 until the mid-1800s. You can see the grave of John Eugene DuBignon there. He sold Jekyll Island to the Jekyll Island Club in the late 1800s.

The Horton House is one of the oldest buildings in Georgia. The site is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Work to preserve the site was helped by a grant from the National Park Service. It also won an award for preservation from the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation.

The Horton House historic site is open to the public. North Riverview Drive, Jekyll Island, GA 31527

Jekyll Island National Historic District: A Glimpse of Wealth

The Jekyll Island National Historic Landmark District is a huge ongoing restoration project. It's one of the largest in the southeastern United States. The work to preserve the site has won many awards. Jekyll Island was named one of the National Trust for Historic Preservation's 12 Distinctive Destinations. It also received the 2008 Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation's Marguerite William Award for Preservation.

The Jekyll Island Museum is where you start to learn about the Jekyll Island National Historic District. It also covers all of Jekyll Island's rich history. At the Jekyll Island Museum, you can go on a journey of discovery. Through exhibits, tours, and programs, you can explore a time long ago.

Infrastructure: Getting Around and Staying Healthy

Transportation: How to Travel

• The Port of Brunswick is an Atlantic seaport. It's in Brunswick, Georgia, in the southeast corner of the state. It's one of four ports run by the Georgia Ports Authority. The Port of Brunswick is one of the busiest ports on the Atlantic coast. It imports wood pulp, paper products, wheat, soybeans, and heavy machinery. Brunswick is the main U.S. port for importing cars from Jaguar, Land Rover, Porsche, Mitsubishi, and Volvo. Ford, GM, and Mercedes export vehicles through this port. Other exports include farm products like barley malt, corn, and oats. Other bulk cargo includes cement, gypsum, limestone, and sand.
• The Glynn County Airport Commission was created in 1980. Its job is to manage and develop the county's two airports. These are Brunswick Golden Isles Airport and McKinnon St. Simons Island Airport. Community leaders make up its nine members. They serve four-year terms.
  • Brunswick Golden Isles Airport (BQK) - Delta Connection flies between Brunswick Golden Isles Airport and Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
  • McKinnon St. Simons Island Airport serves general aviation. This means it's for private planes. The airport has two runways. One is 5,800 feet long, and the other is 3,313 feet long. Several systems help pilots land in bad weather.
• CSX and Norfolk Southern railways
• Amtrak passenger service
• Sidney Lanier Bridge
• Federal Highways:
  • U.S. Route 17
  • U.S. Route 341
  • U.S. Route 25
  • Interstate 95
• Georgia Department of Transportation
• Federal Transit Administration

Health care: Staying Healthy

• Southeast Georgia Health System