A Tour Along the Georgia Coast

The Georgia coast, a captivating tapestry woven with threads of history, natural beauty, and Southern charm, stretches approximately 100 miles. This alluring expanse extends from the historic city of Savannah, the oldest in Georgia, southward to St. Marys, the welcoming gateway to the Cumberland Island National Seashore. This region, a veritable treasure trove for the discerning traveler, boasts an array of experiences catering to diverse interests and passions. From the serenity of secluded beaches and the mystique of shadowy swamps to the tranquil beauty of expansive marshes, the Georgia coast is a realm of natural wonders. Adding to the allure are the cobblestone streets and historic forts that whisper tales of bygone eras, the lush plantations that evoke a sense of timeless elegance, and the century-old buildings that now house charming boutiques and inviting restaurants. Truly, the Georgia coast offers something for everyone.

The Georgia coast is steeped in a rich and multifaceted history, a narrative that begins with the indigenous Native American populations and unfolds through the arrival of French and Spanish explorers, eventually culminating in its pivotal role as the southernmost of the original thirteen American colonies. The initial documented exploration of this captivating coastline occurred in 1525, undertaken by two ships dispatched from Puerto Rico under the command of pilot Pedro de Quejos. Quejos had previously landed in South Carolina in 1521 during a slaving expedition.

The annals of colonial history record the establishment of the first European settlement within the boundaries of what would later become the thirteen colonies. This endeavor took place in Georgia in 1526, spearheaded by Spanish explorer Lucas Vazquez de Ayllon, who, like Quejos, had initially landed in South Carolina. Ayllon led his colonists southward along ancient Indian trails, establishing the short-lived colony of San Miguel de Gualdape. This settlement, believed to have been located near Sapelo Sound, endured for a mere few months before its abandonment in early 1527.

Adding a touch of swashbuckling intrigue to the Georgia coast’s narrative is the legendary pirate Edward Thatch, more famously known as Blackbeard. It is believed that Blackbeard frequently sailed along this coastline, preying on unsuspecting ships and utilizing Georgia’s intricate network of meandering rivers, creeks, and inlets as clandestine hiding places. Local lore even whispers of a hidden treasure, buried by Blackbeard on a Georgia island, its location remaining a mystery to this day.

Embark on a captivating tour through the picturesque and historically significant Georgia coast, a journey that promises to unveil the region’s many treasures.

Savannah: The Jewel of the Georgia Coast

Our journey begins in Savannah, the largest city and county seat of Chatham County. Established in 1733, Savannah holds the distinguished title of Georgia’s oldest city and served as its first colonial and state capital. Savannah is a city that effortlessly blends history and modernity, offering visitors a unique and unforgettable experience.

• Savannah Historic District: This National Historic Landmark is a testament to Savannah’s meticulously planned urban design and its well-preserved 18th and 19th-century architecture. The district adheres to the original town plan laid out in 1733 by General James E. Oglethorpe, the founder of the British colony of Georgia. The Savannah Historic District retains much of Oglethorpe’s original design, which is based on a grid of divisions known as wards, squares, and "trustee lots." Most of the original squares remain, surrounded by exquisite examples of Georgian, Greek Revival, and Gothic architecture. Notable buildings include the Owens-Thomas House (1818), the Edmund Molyneux Mansion (circa 1917), the Spencer Woodbridge House (1795), and the Greene House (1853). Important sites associated with the African American community include the Beach Institute (1865), the city’s first black school, and the King-Tisdell Cottage (1896).
• Savannah Victorian Historic District: Located just south of the Savannah Historic District, this area was Savannah’s first suburb. The late 19th-century extension of street railways spurred the development of this neighborhood. The wood-frame houses dating from the 1870s and 1880s are a mixture of several Victorian styles of architecture. Some of the best examples are the Carpenter Box-style houses, the Queen Anne-style mansion, and the imposing Victorian Telfair Hospital.
• Laurel Grove-South Cemetery: This historic cemetery serves as a poignant visual record of Savannah’s African American history. In 1852, fifteen acres of Laurel Grove Cemetery were designated for the burial of "free persons of color and slaves." The cemetery was historically separated from the white Laurel Grove-North Cemetery. Tombstones range from small markers to elaborately carved figures. Inscriptions on many of the tombstones record African American history not included in written histories of the region.
• First Bryan and First African Baptist Churches: In 1788, Andrew Bryan, a former slave, founded one of the earliest black Baptist churches in North America. In 1793, Bryan acquired the land where the First Bryan Baptist Church (constructed in 1873) now stands. A dispute over doctrine in 1832 led to a schism, resulting in two congregations. The congregations of the First Bryan Baptist Church and the First African Baptist Church (constructed in 1859) are direct descendants of Bryan’s original congregation.
• Fort Pulaski National Monument: Built between 1829 and 1847 on Cockspur Island, Fort Pulaski was part of America’s Third System of coastal fortifications. The fort was considered impregnable until the Civil War when Union forces used newly developed rifled cannons to breach the fort’s walls. The restored fort is a monument to the power of technology to render previous conceptions of invincibility obsolete.
• Wormsloe Plantation: Established in 1737 by Noble Jones, one of the first British colonists in the area, Wormsloe Plantation features a plantation house built in 1828, a detached library, the ruins of a fortified house, a mile-long drive bordered by large oaks, and Confederate earthworks. The surviving ruins of the original house are one of the only remaining examples of fortified houses once typical throughout coastal Georgia.
• Isle of Hope: This affluent community, part of the Savannah Metropolitan Statistical Area, is known for its historic plantations and exclusive waterfront properties. Legends abound of pirates using the island to hide their booty, and French Huguenots using the island as a place of refuge for fleeing persecution.
• Isle of Hope Historic District: Established in the 19th century as a retreat for the elite of Savannah, Isle of Hope provided a refuge from the intense heat and malaria outbreaks prevalent throughout the summer months. The historic district encompasses a large area extending back from the Skidaway River. Landscaped with old oak trees covered in Spanish moss, the houses range from Greek Revival, Victorian, and Neoclassical to Craftsman Bungalows.

Beyond Savannah: Coastal Gems Await

Leaving Savannah, our tour continues southward, revealing a string of captivating coastal destinations, each with its unique character and charm.

• Midway: Founded in 1752 by New England Puritans, Midway was once an influential center for political, economic, and religious life. The Midway Historic District includes the historic 1756 cemetery, a segment of the historic "Old Sunbury Road," and a museum modeled after the houses that once stood in Midway.
• Fort Morris: This fortress is one of the few remaining Revolutionary War-era earthwork fortifications in the United States. First fortified in the 1750s, the fort was manned to protect the once-prosperous seaport town of Sunbury.
• Darien: Founded in 1736 by Scottish Highlanders recruited by James Oglethorpe, Darien, initially known as New Inverness, was intended to act as a settler-soldier community protecting the frontiers of Georgia from the Spanish, the French, and their Indian allies.
• Fort King George: Established in 1721, Fort King George was Georgia’s first colonial British garrison and the southernmost outpost of the British Empire in North America. The site includes the brick ruins of its early sawmill operation and a small graveyard.
• Brunswick: Settled by British colonists in 1738 as a buffer to Spanish Florida, Brunswick has served as an important port city throughout its history.
• Hofwyl-Broadfield Plantation: Located in the marshlands of the Altamaha River, this plantation illustrates more than a century of Georgia’s coastal history and was owned by the same family from 1804 to 1973.
• Brunswick Old Town Historic District: This district encompasses the site of the British colonial town of Brunswick, laid out in 1771 with a grid plan similar to that of Savannah. The town contains an outstanding collection of late 19th-century residential and public buildings.
• Jekyll Island: One of the Sea Islands and one of the Golden Isles of Georgia, Jekyll Island boasts eight miles of wide, flat beaches on its east shore.
• Jekyll Island Historic District: A National Historic Landmark administered by the state of Georgia, the Jekyll Island Club was once considered the most exclusive social club in the United States, with members including the Astors, Vanderbilts, Pulitzers, Morgans, and McCormicks.
• St. Simons: The largest of Georgia’s Golden Isles, St. Simons Island was once cultivated by English colonists for rice and cotton plantations.
• Hamilton Plantation: Located on St. Simons Island, the remains of this antebellum plantation contain two surviving slave cabins made of tabby.
• Fort Frederica National Monument: Located on St. Simon’s Island, Fort Frederica interprets the struggle between Great Britain and Spain to dominate the New World.
• St. Marys: One of Georgia’s oldest towns, St. Marys offers picturesque streets lined with centuries-old live oaks and the beauty of waterways and marshes.
• St. Marys Historic District: The historic district encompasses the original grid pattern plan of the town as laid out in 1788.
• McIntosh Sugar Mill Tabby Ruins: Built in 1826, the mill is the largest and best preserved of all tabby remains in the Southeast.
• Cumberland Island: Georgia’s largest and southernmost barrier island, Cumberland Island features pristine maritime forests, undeveloped beaches, and wide marshes.

The Georgia coast is a land of contrasts and captivating beauty. From the bustling city of Savannah to the serene beaches of Cumberland Island, this region offers a diverse range of experiences that will leave a lasting impression. Whether you are a history buff, a nature enthusiast, or simply seeking a relaxing getaway, the Georgia coast has something to offer everyone. This tour provides a glimpse into the rich tapestry of history and natural beauty that defines this unique and unforgettable destination.