Spanish explorers arrived here in search of gold more than 400 years ago, but it is the natural beauty of the area that inspired the "Golden Isles" moniker.
Midway between Savannah, Georgia and Jacksonville, Florida lies the mainland city of Brunswick, Georgia and four barrier islands: St. Simons Island, Sea Island, Little St. Simons Island and Jekyll Island. Learn more about why these beautiful barrier islands are called the Golden Isles.
Frederica is located on the island of St. Simons. Just 35 minutes from Interstate I-95. This island, with its natural beauty and an understated elegance, is a true treasure that combines a very real sense of privacy and intimacy with easy access by land, air and sea.
I-95 - 35-minute drive
Savannah, GA - 90-minute drive
Jacksonville, FL - 90-minute drive
Atlanta, GA - 5-hour drive
McKinnon St. Simons Island Airport is a 10-minute drive from Frederica. The airport's two runways (5,500 and 3,313 feet) handle the busy private air traffic coming and going from the area's popular vacation destinations. Car rentals or other ground transportation are available Click here to learn more.
The Brunswick Golden Isles Airport, located 20 minutes from Frederica, offer three incoming Delta Connection flights daily. Brunswick to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is a 37-minute flight. Click to learn more.
Jacksonville International Aiport, 68 miles from Frederica and on the north side of Jacksonville, FL, offers more than 89 flights daily with non-stop service to 27 markets. Click to learn more.
Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport is located on I-95 just 83 miles north of St. Simons Island. Travelers will find more than 40 daily flights, including non-stop connections to key East Coast cities and major airline hubs. Click to learn more.
Morningstar Marinas Golden Isles has 1,100 linear feet of transient dock space and 10-foot depth at low tide. Services include a courtesy car, power centers and facilities for crew. It is six miles from Frederica. Click to learn more.
St. Simons Island - The largest of the Golden Isles, St. Simons is a quietly beautiful vacation destination and year-round community with miles of undisturbed beaches and pristine shoreline. Kite surfing, sailing, dolphin watching and bicycling are just a few of the favorite activities on the island, as are kayak tours of marshlands teeming with wildlife standing guard over the fragile coastline. Deep-sea fishing brings in catches of king mackerel, Spanish mackerel, cobia, grouper and snapper. Inshore tidal creeks and bays are abundant with redfish, sea trout, flounder, tarpon, shrimp and blue crabs. Full-service marinas offer all the conveniences and essentials as you enjoy access to the Intracoastal Waterway.
St. Simons Island Lighthouse and Bloody Marsh Battle Site are two historic points of interest here, along with the Ft. Frederica National Monument. The tabby remains of this fortress - built by the British in the 1730s to defend against Spanish invaders - have served as inspiration for much of the architecture at Frederica.
In the Village of St. Simons, you'll find charming shops, outdoor cafes and gourmet restaurants. Live theatre performances and concerts, including the popular "Jazz in the Park," series are wonderful ways to enjoy a pleasant evening under the stars.
Brunswick - Rising along Georgia's southern coast is the city of Brunswick. This historic port city, located a short 20-minute drive from Frederica, offers a setting featuring nineteenth century Victorian-style homes, century-old live oak trees, sweeping golden marshland and tree-lined streets of carefully preserved buildings. You'll also find a community with a wide selection of dining options from outdoor cafes to fine restaurants. There are fun boutiques, art galleries, plenty of banking and financial institutions, and lots of theatres and cultural options.
The Brunswick waterfront is a favorite gathering place as shrimp boats deliver their daily catch, and the Farmer's Market lets you pick up fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables. With world-class hospital and health care, a strong educational system and active neighborhood churches and synagogues, Brunswick offers an appealing and pleasurable area to call "home."
Sea Island - Home to The Cloister, the storied luxury resort with a long history of world-class amenities gracious service, Sea Island has been a favorite destination of presidents, royalty and celebrities for more than 80 years. The island, a mere 10 minutes from Frederica, features beautiful ocean views at every turn as well as grand old private homes.
Jekyll Island - Located 30 minutes from Frederica, and once the opulent winter retreat of some of the nation's wealthiest families, Jekyll Island remains a beautiful vacation destination. What was once the exclusive "Jekyll Island Club" is now a National Historic Landmark, open to the public. The island is now owned by the State of Georgia and its natural beauty is carefully maintained.
Little St. Simons Island - This private barrier island is only accessible by boat and offers 10,000 acres of maritime forests and marshlands, along with seven miles of beaches. The island's cottages and lodge hold a maximum of 32 guests each night. Those fortunate enough to spend the evening are also able to enjoy tours by naturalists through marshes and trails.
Area History -The first European settler known to this area was Mark Carr, a Scotsman and captain in General James Oglethorpe's Marine Boat Company. Upon landing in 1738, Carr established his 1,000-acre tobacco plantation along the Turtle River.
The Royal Province of Georgia purchased Carr's fields in 1771 and laid out the town of Brunswick in a grid style following Oglethorpe's Savannah Plan. The town was then named after the duchy of Brunswick - Lüneburg in Germany, which was the ancestral home of King George II of Great Britain.
During the Civil War, the citizens of Brunswick were ordered to evacuate and the city was all but abandoned. As with many cities in the South, Brunswick suffered from post-war depression. When one of the nation's largest lumber mills began operation on nearby St. Simons Island, economic prosperity returned. Rail lines were constructed to inland Georgia, helping Brunswick to experience an unusual economic boom during the Reconstruction period.
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