Saint Marys, GA

St Marys, GA, settled in 1787, is located just outside the south gate of NSB Kings Bay, where we were spending 9 days at Eagle Hammock RV Park. One warm sunny day, we spent several hours wandering its streets, where we found some interesting historic houses.

Orange Hall was built in 1829 for the Rev Horace Platt, and is considered a perfect example of Greek Revival architecture. It took its name from the orange trees that once surrounded it.

The Sandiford-Goodbread House, dating from 1885, is now a bed & breakfast.

Built in 1801, this house sports a rather lengthy name: the Jackson-Clark-Bessent-MacDonnell-Nesbitt House.

Once a bank, this little building was converted to a church by the parish of Our Lady Star of the Sea. Although a new church was built in 1958, the parish still maintains this as an active chapel.

The First Presbyterian Church of St. Marys is the oldest Presbyterian Church building in the state of Georgia, and has the distinction of being the oldest building in Georgia that has been in continuous use as a church since its erection in 1808.

These old commercial building face the St Marys River.

The small waterfront along the river hosts two marinas. It is also the home of the Cumberland Island Visitor Center.

The "Cumberland Lady" is off with a load of tourists to Cumberland Island National Seashore. Just ahead of her is a National Park Service workboat with a dump truck.

Cumberland Island appears to be a great spot to spend a day...or more...exploring. There are campsites on the island, but of course, you have to be able to carry everything on your back.

Pirate Luis Aubry stands outside theSandiford-Goodbread House.