Georgia Golden Isles; St. Simons Island, Jekyll Island and Sea Island

Located on the southeastern coast of Georgia, Glynn County offers a pleasurable climate, alluring scenery, and a captivating history. At one time only society’s elite – the Rockefeller’s, the Goodyear’s, the Vanderbilt’s – all sought refuge here from the harsh northeastern winters. Today however, a wide variety of visitors and residents enjoy the privacy and beauty that Glenn County has to offer.

The 585 square miles of Glynn County are comprised of marsh land and the largest of the eleven barrier islands off of the coast of Georgia. With an average high of 57 degrees in the winter and an average high in the summer of 89 degrees the climate is considered ideal. The subtropical climate means that an endless number of outdoor activities can be enjoyed all year around.

One of only two ports found in Georgia is located in Brunswick. This natural deep port is formed where several rivers join together including the Turtle River, South Brunswick River and Mackay River. The port has a key place in the history of Glynn County and today is vital to the local economy. Because of the port, Brunswick became known as the “Shrimp Capital of the World”.

Between Brunswick and St. Simons Island flows the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway which runs from Florida to Maine along the entire eastern seaboard of the U.S. The waterway consists of both natural and man-made rivers, inlets, bays and canals. In 1919 when the U.S. Congress authorized its formation, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was placed in charge of maintaining its depth and making improvements. The Intracoastal Waterway is heavily used by commercial barges and recreational boats alike.

The History of Glynn County Georgia

Glynn County, named for the British member of Parliament John Glynn, was created in 1777 on land formerly held by Creek Indians. Its colorful history is best represented by the various flags which have flown over the area. In the early 1500’s Spanish colonists arrived and established the San Miguel de Gualdape settlement. In 1562 the French briefly flew their flag as they built forts and explored the coastline. Once the Spanish were forced out the French the ruled the area again until the early 1700’s. The British then governed when Fort Frederica and the town of Frederica were established in the 1730’s by General James Oglethorpe and a group of colonists. However, at the end of the American Revolution, the British flag was replaced with the 13 stars and stripes flag. Over one hundred years later it was replaced with the confederate flag when Georgia decided to join other states in seceding from the union. The confederate flag was lowered at the end of the war when the national flag flew again.

The Cities and Towns of Glynn County

The interior of Glynn County includes the towns of Evertt, Thalmann, Sterling, Country Club Estates, Dock Junction and Brunswick, which is the county seat. The barrier islands, known as the Golden Isles, include St. Simons Island, Jekyll Island and Sea Island.

The Economy of Glynn County

The growth of tourism and new residents has expanded the business opportunities in Glynn County. The increase in jobs has helped to reduce unemployment and contributed to the rise in household income which has nearly doubled since 1990. While tourism continues to be the largest segment of industry there are a diverse range of employers in the county. Some of the largest include the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, Southeast Georgia Health System and Sea Island Company.

One of only two ports found in Georgia is located in Brunswick which plays a vital role in the local economy. In 2007 the project to deepen the channel was completed which will allow access by larger ships. This project also influenced the decision by Mercedes-Benz to build a new vehicle processing facility in Brunswick. Container shipments through the port set a record in 2007 and are expected to continue increasing at a record pace.

With all of this growth naturally there is concern of overdevelopment and insufficient infrastructure. The staff of Glynn County is addressing these issues by developing a land use study. The plan will play a vital role for future commercial and residential development, conservation of green space, transportation needs and historic preservation.

Getting to Glynn County

Driving Interstate 95 or the scenic U.S. Highway 17 is just one way to arrive in Glynn County. The mileage from major cities: Atlanta – 280 miles, Baltimore – 711 miles, Boston – 1,091 miles, Chicago – 1,027 miles, Indianapolis – 841 miles, Miami – 426 miles, Nashville – 554 miles, New York City – 920 miles, Pittsburgh – 768 miles, Raleigh – 413 miles and Washington, D.C. – 648 miles.

There are several locations to arrive by air including Brunswick Golden Isles Airport. Atlantic Southeast Airlines offers four flights daily from Atlanta’s Hartsfield International Airport. In addition to commercial flights the airport handles general and corporate aviation aircraft. The McKinnon St. Simons Island Airport is a general aviation facility known for their outstanding service including fueling, maintenance and aircraft catering. Other public use airports are located on Jekyll Island or nearby St. Marys. Jacksonville International Airport, approximately an hour away, has service through several major carriers including American, Delta, Northwest and United. Also, Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport has flights from Delta and United. In July 2007 the airport added additional gates allowing for more daily flights and access for larger aircraft.

Due to its location on the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway arriving by sea is always convenient. There are numerous marinas located in Brunswick as well as on the barrier islands which provide a variety of services.

Healthcare and Schools in Glynn County

The Southeast Georgia Health System headquartered in Brunswick has a state of the art hospital offering a variety of patient services. In addition to the hospital, the health system also operates a long-term care facility as well as several family medical centers and immediate care centers throughout the area.

There are additional medical centers located just across the Florida border. Baptist Medical Center Nassau in Fernandina Beach is highly recognized for its excellent patient care. For the latest in research and advanced treatment there is the Shands Medical Center, affiliated with the University of Florida, and the Mayo Clinic, both of which are located in Jacksonville.

Due to growth in the area the school system is under expansion in Glynn County. In 2007 voters approved a sales tax increase for construction of new schools and improvements to existing schools. Brunswick is also the location of Coastal Georgia Community College. In addition to offering associate degrees, students can complete courses towards bachelors and masters degrees through the Brunswick Center consortium. Armstrong Atlantic State University is located in nearby Savannah as well as South University which has a School of Business, School of Health Professions and a School Pharmacy. To study music, the University of North Florida in Jacksonville offers one of the top undergraduate jazz programs in the country.

Sightseeing in Glynn County

With Glynn County’s rich history there is no lack of interesting places to see. Those most worth visiting include Fort Frederica National Park, Christ Church, Hofwyl-Broadfield Plantation, St. Simons Lighthouse and Okefenokee Swamp Park.

Fort Frederica and the town of Frederica were established in the 1730’s by General James Oglethorpe and a group of colonists. The fort served to protect Georgia and South Carolina from the invasion of Spanish troops located in Florida. The end of the Spanish invasion was decided in 1742 when the Battle of the Bloody Marsh took place. Once a peace treaty was signed between Spain and Britain the fort no longer was needed and in the 1750’s was reduced to ruin as the result of a fire. It wasn’t until 1945 that the site became a national landmark. Visitors today can tour the ruins and museum to see get a glimpse of the past of what was once a thriving town of 500 people.

Christ Church, the third oldest church in Georgia, is located on St. Simons near Fort Frederica. At the time Frederica was established Charles Wesley began holding services for the early colonists. Reverend Wesley’s tenure was short lived as some local gossip forced him to leave and his brother John Wesley took over to establish a church. It wasn’t until 1820 that an actual church building was constructed on the site where both Charles and John Wesley had preached. During the Civil War much of the church was destroyed, however in 1884 Anson G.P. Dodge, a wealthy mill owner, had the church rebuilt. Mr. Dodge and his family are buried in the church cemetery along with several other locally prominent citizens. Surrounded by beautiful moss draped oaks, the church is open most days to visitors.

Just north of Brunswick on Highway 17 is the Hofwyl-Broadfield Plantation on the Altamaha River. This once thriving rice plantation dates back to the early 1800’s. William Brailsford and his son-in law, James Troup acquired over 7,000 acres of cypress swamps along the river which remained in the family until 1973. The purchase of land included “Broadface”, a river estate, which he later renamed “Broadfield”. Future generations of the family continued growing rice until the early 1900’s. Rather than sell the estate the family then started a dairy which operated until the early 1940’s. Ophelia Troup Dent and her husband built Hofwyl House which was named after a school attended by Dent in Switzerland. As the last surviving heir, Ophelia willed the plantation to the state of Georgia in 1973. Now a state park, visitors to the museum can view a model of the plantation as well as artifacts and family heirlooms.

On St. Simons Island stands the St. Simons Lighthouse and lighthouse keeper’s home which were built in 1872. Although not the first lighthouse built here it still operates today and is one of only five surviving lighthouses in the state. A visit is not complete unless you climb the 129 steps to take in the view of the ocean, surrounding barrier islands and the city of Brunswick. History on the lighthouse and lighthouse keepers can be found in the museum exhibits.

Although not in Glynn County a visit to this area would not be complete without seeing the Okefenokee Swamp Park. The park covering over one half million acres opened in 1946. Best known for its alligators this area is refuge to a variety of exotic birds and endangered species. The Indian word Okefenokee translates to “The Land of the Trembling Earth”. A canoe trip deep into the canals is the best way to experience how primitive this preserve is. There are also guided boat and walking tours offered that give a historical and environmental background.

Recreation in Glynn County

The subtropical climate found here means there is a bounty of recreational opportunities for everyone. The toughest decision you will have every day is deciding what to do.

Because of its location there are a variety of ways to take advantage of the water. Sailors and power boaters have access to numerous marinas and boat ramps found in Brunswick and on the barrier islands including Jekyll Island and St. Simons Island. For real adventure on the water try a deep sea fishing or shrimp trawling excursion. Those looking for smaller watercraft fun can enjoy jet skis and kayak tours. To Spend the day on a leisurely inner tube boat or racing down a water slide, enjoy a family outing at Summer Waves Water Park on Jekyll Island.

Museums and historical tours abound in Glynn County. Take time to visit those located at Fort Frederica and Christ Church as well as the St. Simons Lighthouse. And be sure to leave time to visit Jekyll Island, site of the exclusive Jekyll Island Club. This one time hunting club was the winter retreat for many of America’s most affluent citizens. The museum and restored cottages provide a glimpse back at the grandeur that once existed on this island.

Glynn County is not unlike other Georgia coastal areas when it comes to spectacular golf courses. The county is host to over 200 holes of golf on the mainland and the barrier islands. Some of the best courses include Coastal Pines Golf Club, designated a Golf Digest Best Bargain and Oak Grove Island Golf Club with its well kept driving range are both located in Brunswick. Georgia’s largest golf resort with 63 holes is found on Jekyll Island at the Jekyll Island Golf Club. The Sea Island Resort with 54 holes was named the number one golf resort in North America by Golf Digest in 2006 and its seaside course was placed on Golf Digest’s list of top 100 courses.

Dining and Entertainment in Glynn County

There are a number of dining options in Glynn County that serve everything from hearty low country boil to elegant cuisine. With the many seaside restaurants fresh seafood is always on the menu but don’t forget the barbecue. There are so many barbecue places here you will have a hard time trying to decide which one is the best.

If you want entertainment and you’re feeling lucky then take the Emerald Princess Casino Cruise. There are day and evening cruises departing from Gisco Point in Brunswick. The cruise includes a meal in the bistro and then offers your choice of gaming including black jack, roulette and poker.

Performing arts and entertainment are expanding as the county continues to grow. Live performances can be found at the historic Ritz Theater in Brunswick. Built as an opera house it became host to vaudeville acts and was later converted to a movie theater. Today, under the management the Golden Isles Arts and Humanities Association, the theater is gradually being restored.

Relocating to Glynn County

Glynn County has become an inviting place for visitors and new residents alike. You can’t help being drawn in to its natural beauty and enchanting communities. There is a quality of life here that makes it ideal for raising a family and with the ideal climate and endless activities a short stay is never long enough.

Real Estate in Glynn County

If you’re looking for a second home, a place to retire or relocating to Glynn County there are a variety of home options available. Existing properties include beautiful Victorian residences and charming cottages. The market for new properties includes condominiums, country club developments and golf club properties.