SSI Archives
Features
Image Courtesy of the Coastal Georgia Historical Society
World War II Posters: Artists Rally Support for the War Effort
During World War II, many American artists contributed to the war effort by creating artwork for posters that would help galvanize public support for Federal programs, such as rationing and civilian defense. Read more
Image courtesy of the Coastal Georgia Historical Society
Small Yard, Big Story: Wartime Production at Brunswick Marine
There’s a long legacy of shipbuilding in Brunswick. The Brunswick Marine Construction Corporation was a local shipbuilding and repair facility that supplied ships for both World Wars, operating through the mid-twentieth century. Read more
Photo courtesy of the Beaches Museum in Jacksonville Beach, Florida
A Champagne Celebration: Portrait of Husband-and-Wife Lighthouse Team Discovered
Historians sometimes hear about treasure troves long forgotten which, once discovered, reveal information about the past. The Coastal Georgia Historical Society recently found a hidden treasure in another museum’s collection. Read more
Image courtesy of Tyler Bagwell.
Public Transportation of the Past
If you want to travel the streets of downtown Brunswick quickly these days, you’ll most likely hop in a car and drive to your destination. But there was a time, before cars, when you would hop onto a streetcar instead. Read more
Photo courtesy of Coastal Georgia Historical Society
SSI Archives - Launching a Local Tradition
The first Sunshine Festival on St. Simons Island was held in 1955, and was sponsored by the St. Simons Jaycees as a fundraising event. Unlike recent years, the Festival took place in June rather than over the 4th of July holiday. Read more
Image courtesy of the Coastal Georgia Historical Society.
Fueling the Light: The Oil House
While the lighthouse tower is the shining star of what used to be the St. Simons Island Light Station, there is a small building on the property that, though easily missed, served an important purpose in keeping its light shining: the Oil House. Read more
Photo courtesy of the City of Brunswick/Emil Kratt Family/J.A. Jones Construction Co.
World War II’s Welding Women: The Surrency Sisters
When the Allies desperately needed cargo ships, women did their part to supply them by working at shipyards across the country, including at the J.A. Jones Shipyard in Brunswick. Nanelle, Carobeth, and Lauree Surrency were just three of those women. Read more
Courtesy of the Coastal Georgia Historical Society
A Work by a Woman Artist Returns to St. Simons Island
In celebration of Women’s History Month, a watercolor donated to the Coastal Georgia Historical Society recalls a woman’s contribution to the arts when, at the turn of the 20th century, women were making significant progress in art as a profession. Read more
Coastal Georgia Historical Society
SSI Archives: The Matchless Ethel Waters Visits SSI
Learn more about Academy-Award nominated actress and singer Ethel Waters and her visit to St. Simons Island in the 1970s. How a Billy Graham connection led to a friendship and autobiography. Read more
Courtesy of the Coastal Georgia Historical Society
Wintering on Jekyll Island
The Jekyll Island Club was formed as an exclusive hunting club for wealthy northerners, opening for its first winter season in January 1888. Its members viewed their island retreat as a quiet, rustic, and warm escape from their busy city lives. Read more
Coastal Georgia Historical Society
A Christmas Tradition for the Birds
Annual holiday traditions such as lighting the Christmas tree and exchanging gifts are familiar to most Americans, but there is one national tradition that is especially important to bird lovers: the Christmas Bird Count, which originated in 1900. Read more
Forgotten History of WWI: Brunswick’s Concrete Ship SS Atlantus
Off the shore in Cape May, New Jersey, the well-worn and slowly disappearing remains of a ship can be seen. It’s all that’s left of the SS Atlantus. Learn more about the short-lived WWI concrete ship program and its Brunswick connection. Read more
Image provided by the Coastal Georgia Historical Society.
What’s in a Name? Adding an “S” to St. Simon
The name “St. Simons” is derived from anglicizing the Spanish name of a 17th century settlement on the largest of our Golden Isles. The island’s name, however, has not stayed the same throughout history. You can thank the Fendig family for our “s.” Read more
Photo courtesy of the Coastal Georgia Historical Society
Links to the Past - The Origins of Golf in Brunswick
Did you know golf originated in Brunswick around the turn of the century in Windsor Park? The Coastal Georgia Historical Society shares the story of how it all began and evolved. Read more
Photo courtesy of the Coastal Georgia Historical Society.
SSI Archives: Historic Race through St. Simons Sunshine
A 1950s Junior Chamber of Commerce scrapbook reveals a connection between the first annual Sunshine Festival on St. Simons Island and a significant event in the history of women’s aviation: the first international over-water International Air Race. Read more
SSI Archives: Aaron Burr: Spared in a Duel, Hit by a Hurricane
As we head into the most active months of the hurricane season, we cast our minds back to the early 19th century when a major storm devastated our coast and disgraced Vice President Aaron Burr came to St. Simons to seek refuge from his own storm. Read more
Photo courtesy of the Coastal Georgia Historical Society
SSI Archives: A Casino For All Ages
Summertime has always brought residents and visitors to the Pier Village area on St. Simons Island. Since 1928, a community center known as the Casino has provided a venue for social activities, such as dancing and bowling. It wasn’t a gambling hall. Read more
History’s Helping Hands
The current global pandemic causes us to reflect on crises the United States has faced in the past. The massive social and economic upheavals of World War II immediately come to mind. Learn how Americans worked together to fight a common foe. Read more
Photo provided by Coastal Georgia Historical Society
The Beginning of Beautification
Much of the credit for the original beautification of Glynn County’s public spaces should be given to the area’s many productive garden clubs. Members have been working for over 90 years to enhance the natural charm of our coastal landscape. Read more
Photo provided by the Coastal Georgia Historical Society
Pink Chapel: Linked by Legend to a Fatal Property Dispute
Pink Chapel’s ruins are located on the grounds of the former West Point Plantation. Built by the Hazzard family, the structure gained its name and color from a pinkish lichen growing there. Island legend says the color is due to bloodshed... Read more
