Back in the day in the 1800's, Vernon Square was like a hub they had a couple banks here, and this…read morewas also a place to socialize. Now it is the center in which the Open Gate B & B resides, as well as two churches and a few homes. It has a nice water fountain and nice grass and trees. A perfect place for the kids and dogs to run and enjoy the day under the trees. It is a nice quiet simple spot to think about what it must have been like here in past times!

Vernon square is a lovely place to read. Nice quiet park and it is beautiful. Picnic. Ďog walk…read more Just beautifully put together with some history behind it...

Due to U-boats during 1942, much cargo and many ships were lost. The tremendous number of losses…read morenecessitated the need for more ships that were stronger, larger, and can hold vast amounts of cargo. During 1942 the U.S. Maritime Commission chose 16 sites around the nation to build what would be termed "Liberty Ships." Brunswick was one of the towns chosen. During World War II, the J.A. Jones Construction Company operated a plant approximately 1 mile south of this point on Brunswick's waterfront. Between 1942 and 1944, a skilled labor force of over 16,000 men and women worked in service to the Allied war effort, producing 99 steel vessels for the U.S. Merchant Marines. These vessels served as both cargo and troop carriers, and their reputation for keeping vital supply lines open earned them the name of "Liberty Ships." Each month, dedicated shipyard workers produced four of these 447-foot, 3500-ton steel vessels. During December 1944, with the "Battle of the Bulge" raging in Europe, the Navy requested six ships. In response, these determined patriots build an astounding seven "Liberty Ships." The J.A. Jones Construction Company and the people they employed in Brunswick's shipyards came to symbolize the patriotic duty and tireless efforts of America's wartime home front. Upon war's end in 1945, the J.A. Jones Construction Company closed the shipyards, on their way out, they donated a model of one of the Liberty Ships that was used in training the employees. For many years this model sat at the foot of the St. Simons Island Causeway, eventually though, the model fell to ruins and had to be scrapped. Around 1987 the local Navy League started raising funds to build a new model. On 23 August 1991 a brand new 23 foot vessel was completed, making it the "100th Liberty Ship" build by Brunswick. And, like all vessels before it, this ship was christened with a bottle of champagne and the name "City of Brunswick". [Review 16824 overall - 497 in Georgia - 337 of 2022.]

I highly encourage folks who have time to take a break and walk through this historical landmark…read more I cant overstate how important this piece of history is for the island. Its solemn and eye opening, you can ride your bike within 15 minutes from most hotels to the trail. There are interactive pieces (music, instruments), life size visuals (slave house and mortal/pestle for rice milling), as well as several informational boards to view the history of the kidnapped Africans and the background of the vessel itself. The trail overlooks a bluff that you can sit on, and there is plenty of shaded seating for a snack break or picnic. Take the trip, you won't regret it. I am still moved.

This is a must-see whether you are African-American or not. It's part of our history and the…read morehistory, specifically of Jekyll Island. This is a "trail" or self guided walking tour located at the St Andrews Park. It is easy to walk through and read/see all the items. The sand path, the "trail" has exhibits at each stop telling the history of the Wanderer, one of the last slave ships to arrive stateside. The ship arrived illegally in 1858 -- after slave ships were banned. On the ship there were 409 slaves. The ship landed near this site on the Jekyll River. In addition to the ship history, you get to see and hear the history of the one of the young African boys who was enslaved. And follow him from the ship through slavery to emancipation. There are interactive displays here to enjoy as well. It's informative and interesting.

This roadside marker is located not far from the traffic circle where Kings Way meets Frederica…read moreRoad. There is no good spot for a car to stop with a soft shoulder, but the pedestrian path nearby is close enough. The marker was erected by the Georgia Historical Society in 2007 and is still in excellent condition. You'll need to stop to read the small print, "In 1804 William Page purchased land on St. Simons Sound and named it Retreat. With later purchases, Retreat became one of the preeminent plantations on St. Simons Island for the production of long-staple cotton. In 1827 the Pages' only child, Anna Matilda, who had married Thomas Butler King of Massachusetts, inherited Retreat. She was active in the management of the plantation and its slave population. Mr. King became a Georgia state senator and U. S. Congressman, where he led efforts to strengthen the U.S. Navy. Retreat land stretched from the Frederica River to the Lighthouse. Part of Retreat, including the Avenue of Oaks, is now home to Sea Island Golf Club, and other portions are residential and commercial areas and public parks." Retreat Plantation was one of the most prosperous plantations and was located on the southern tip of St. Simons Island. Anna Page King, who inherited the land in 1826, planted the famous Avenue of the Oaks. It is said that Anna grew such an abundance of flowers at Retreat Plantation that sailors nearing St. Simons Island could smell the flowers' fragrance before they saw the Island shores. Once the entrance to Retreat Plantation, the Avenue of the Oaks is now the entrance to the Sea Island Golf Club. There is a drive around the double row of live oak trees which create the Avenue of the Oaks, most dating to around 1830. [Review 15743 overall - 425 in Georgia - 1247 of 2021.]

Steeped in centuries of history, the Lover's Oak in Brunswick, Georgia stands as a testament to…read moretimeless affection and enduring strength. Legend speaks of this magnificent 900-year-old Southern live oak as a rendezvous spot for Native American lovers, whispering their vows beneath its sprawling branches. Located in the heart of the Brunswick Old Town Historic District, this living monument has witnessed countless stories of love and devotion. This tree is easy to find in the Historic District in downtown Brunswick. You'll see signs with directions to the tree throughout the area.

Lovers Oak is a very old Live Oak tree (dated to the 12th C), in the Historic District of…read moreBrunswick. It's in a residential neighborhood, at the corner of Albany and Prince Streets. There is kind of a median strip in the middle of the street, where the tree lives. It has a plaque and a small sign. The lore is that Native American lovers "met under the tree." Hmmm... and then what? Ate pizza? Anyway, it's a beautiful old majestic tree, with a trunk diameter of 13 feet!!!! Worth a look-see, and a photo. It's a lot more public now than it once was, but you could probably eat some pizza under it with your sweetheart.

This was such an interesting historical site to explore. It's easily accessible -- right along the…read moreside of the road. We parked and walked over to the house. There are explanatory plaques about the tabby-built house along with a sign about tabby (the building material formed from a mix of sand, lime, oyster shells, and water). The house is one of the oldest of its kind in Georgia and is on the National Register of Historic places. Horton was in charge of the British troops stationed on island. He built this house as his residence and lived here from 1736 until 1748. (He died in Savannah in 1748 or 1749 -- I've read two different dates.) One other interesting note about Horton was that he had the first beer brewery in the state. What you see when you come here is the shell of the house. Open aired without a roof or paned windows. You can walk around the outside and inside. It's a good photo op for various views through the open windows. Later on, the house was occupied by the French du Bignons (who owned the island until they sold it to the American millionaires in 1886) from 1790 to the mid 1800's. Their cemetery is located across the street from the House, and you can easily walk to see this, as well, which we did.

One of the oldest surviving buildings in Georgia, the structure is very well preserved. It is,…read morehowever, just a shell. No interior or roof. It dates back to the British colonization after much of their colonies were taken the Spanish. Across the street is the du Bignon cemetery that has five well-preserved graves. The walls are made from a unique product - "tabby" is made from burning oyster shells to create lime and then mixed with sand and water to make a cement. There is parking nearby. You do have to pay to enter the island. [Review 19258 overall - 571 in Georgia - 228 of 2023.]

I never knew any of the history that we stumbled upon here!…read more First of all, the building is nicely done with great museum like displays and a cute gift shop. There was also an extremely knowledgeable person inside who gave us a ton of info about the history and the fort. We then ventured outside (bug spray may be a good idea here!) and looked at the various spots with info and the history of the butcher, baker, candlestick maker as well as the other jobs around the fort. The actual building ruins are interesting and picturesque by the water. You could easily spend a while here meandering and learning. 100% worth a visit if you are nearby!

This afternoon, my mom and I went to go tour the Fort Federica national Monument on Saint Simons…read moreIsland. It is a free fort so you don't pay a parking fee or an entrance fee. They have a museum inside along with a small gift shop as well as the fort grounds that you can walk around and read the Historical information. To get on Saint Simons Island you don't have to pay an island fee. The lady at the desk, her name is Barbara. She was very nice and assisted me with purchasing my passport guide. A passport to the national parks has little areas where you can take the stamps from the different national parks and stamp in your booklet. The passport books includes national parks all over the country. In the gift shop, they have a regular passport, an expert passport and a junior guide for a junior Rangers. 10/10

JIFD has moved to a new state-of-the-art facility on Shell Rd, closer to major hotels but still…read moreless than a minute from the Historic District. We have visited the new FD a few times now and they are all moved in and up and running. They are housed with State Police who I understand were given more private sleep and showering quarters, and a better view despite few of them needing to stay there, however more funding came from their grants so that's how it goes. We see more rescue vehicles each time we visit (last time saw the mule, this time the jet ski) and we love hearing firefighter stories of how all of these tools are implemented to save people and protect the island. The old FD building is being repurposed by Jekyll Island Arts Association, who has raised funds to make it into more studio space, including a nice pottery studio so they can move their prior one out of Goodyear's basement.