Courtesy of the Coastal Georgia Historical Society
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.
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Coastal Georgia Historical Society
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
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.
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
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.
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
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
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
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
We’re thrilled to share the announcement by filmmakers George Crain and Lance Lipman that they are releasing their documentary “St. Simons: Surviving Success” to the public and we are providing you with access to it and a “Take Action Toolkit” here. Read more
Photo provided by Coastal Georgia Historical Society
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’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
Photo courtesy of the Coastal Georgia Historical Society archives
Longtime residents of St. Simons Island will remember that the stretch of road linking the north end of Mallery Street with Demere Road was once known as Proctor Lane. While the name was lost, it’s important that we still recall the Proctor family. Read more
Paul Meacham
Get a closer look at a vintage B-17G “Flying Fortress” and hear from some men who flew the bombers that were instrumental in the Allied victory in WWII. Story by Kathi Williams and photos by Paul Meacham. Thank you to EAA for the hospitality! Read more
When the United States declared war in December 1941, the nation mobilized for action, including America’s dogs. As the military identified the vital need for dogs, citizens were encouraged to donate their pets to the war effort. Read more
Photo courtesy of the Coastal Georgia Historical Society
Ninety-two years ago, on August 25, 1927, a brave young aviator named Paul Redfern took off in his Stinson-Detroiter monoplane Port of Brunswick from Sea Island beach in an attempt to fly non-stop to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He was never seen again. Read more
Photo courtesy of the Coastal Georgia Historical Society
As the Island’s busy season begins and many tourists arrive to discover the magic of the Golden Isles for the first time, we look back on one of our favorite author’s accounts of her memorable first visit. Read more
Courtesy of the Coastal Georgia Historical Society
Before email, Instagram, and Snapchat, postcards were a popular means of communication during summer vacations. Postcards from the Golden Isles reveal scenes from the past and take us to a moment in time when the writer shared their experiences. Read more
Johnson Pictures Inc.
The Coastal Georgia Historical Society's newly opened World War II Home Front Museum recounts how our quiet coastal region was transformed when our country went to war and brings to life the extraordinary contributions made by Coastal Georgia. Read more
Learn more about Susie Baker King Taylor, a woman born into slavery, who later became the first black teacher for freed African American students to work in an openly operating Freedmen's school in Georgia. Read more
Image courtesy of the Coastal Georgia Historical Society
This January marks the 76th anniversary of a significant World War II event in local history. On January 25, 1943, Naval Air Station Glynco was commissioned as one of five airship bases strategically located between Massachusetts and Florida. Read more
