Category: National Parks, Monuments, and Seashores

Beautiful Fort Frederica National Monument

Post author By Elle MacRae
Post date September 11, 2021
2 Comments on Beautiful Fort Frederica National Monument

The Golden Isles are one of the crown jewels of Georgia. Not only do they offer stunning scenery, but they are also full of history. One prime example of this is Fort Frederica National Monument on St. Simons Island. This fort is one of our favorite spots to explore.

Historical sites, especially forts, are some of the best places to visit with kids. Our kids love to run around and explore the wide open spaces. They are interesting because sometimes the sites are really well preserved (like Fort Clinch and Castillo de San Marcos), other times a replica for the fort has been erected (like Fort Caroline), and other times the sites are mere fragments of what they once were- like Fort Frederica.

If it’s gone…is it still worth the visit? In a word, yes. Join us as we show you just how amazing the ruins of Fort Frederica are!

History of Fort Frederica

During colonial times, the land between South Carolina and Florida (now known as Georgia), served as a battle ground for Britain and Spain. The British, Scottish and Germans banded together to build a fortified town to help ward off the Spanish.

In 1736, Fort Frederica was established by James Oglethorpe (the same dude that founded Savannah) to protect the colony of Georgia. The fort was named for Frederick Louis, the Prince of Wales. Frederica served as a military outpost and allowed the Frederica River to be closely monitored.

In 1742, Spanish forces from Florida and Cuba swarmed St. Simons Island. Oglethorpe’s troops attacked the Spanish in a battle that would later be known as the “Battle of Bloody Marsh.” The victory solidified that Britain controlled the region.

The Brits would control the fort and town until the armies were disbanded. With no troops in the area, there was no reason to stay. The fortification became a ghost town and disintegrated into ruins. Today, only a few fireplaces, foundations of buildings, and a portion of the coquina fort remain. In 1936, the fort was declared a protected site and later, in 1945, it became a National Monument.

Fort Frederica National Monument; Today

As mentioned above, the fort and town that was once known as Fort Frederica, is all but gone, today. All that is left is a few fireplaces, building foundations, fragments of a barracks, and a part of a coquina fort. The kids enjoyed storming the old fort and pretended to shoot cannonballs at passing boats.

It really is a shame that the area wasn’t better preserved. A lot of it is left for interpretation. There are display boards throughout the property that help you activate your imagination. There are also street signs to help you visualize how the town was laid out.

One cool part about the national monument is that it is still being excavated. On our most recent visit to the fort, we got to witness a crew doing a dig.

To us, the most exciting part of the site was the wide open spaces and shady Spanish moss draped trees. The kids love having the freedom to just get out and run.

What is there to do at Fort Frederica National Monument?

Although the site is mostly ruins, there’s actually quite a bit do do and see. Plan on spending about an hour to roam the grounds. Be sure to stop by the Visitor Center to learn about the history of the fort and the Golden Isles.

There is a scavenger hunt that helps to guide you around the site.
Explore the gardens
Walk the ancient streets
Visit the old coquina fort
Enjoy a picnic

Fort Frederica Visiting Information

Physical Address:

6515 Frederica Rd,

St Simons Island, GA 31522

Is Fort Frederica National Monument Worth the Visit?

If you are looking for a day trip from Jax, or if you’re already in the Golden Isles, then yes, Fort Frederica is worth the trip. We wouldn’t make the trip just to see the fort though.

The historical factor is pretty cool, and it’s definitely a neat experience.

What is there to do Nearby?

Beaches-St. Simons Island is home to some pretty awesome beaches that are easily accessible.
Wesley Gardens- These impeccable gardens are located right across the street from the fort. We love to enjoy a picnic fort amongst the azaleas.
King and Prince Resort
St Simons Island Lighthouse
Neptune Fun Zone Park (water park)
Search for the Spirit Trees
Mallery Park

While you’re exploring the Golden Isles, we strongly suggest you also visit Jekyll Island. Jekyll Island is home to the Georgia Sea Turtle Center and one of our favorite water parks- Summer Waves.

If you’re planning out a full-fledge tour of the Golden Isles, be sure to add Cumberland Island National Seashore to your itinerary. The ferry for this unique island leaves from St. Marys, Georgia, just 50 miles south.

Learn more about Georgia’s 11 National Parks!

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Tags Fort, GEORGIA, Golden Isles, NATIONAL PARK, Saint Simons Island, USA

Georgia National Parks, Monuments, and Seashores United States

Cumberland Island National Seashore

Post author By Elle MacRae
Post date June 5, 2021
6 Comments on Cumberland Island National Seashore

Cumberland Island is one of the places that I will never grow tired of visiting. The Cumberland Island National Seashore is the largest of Georgia’s Golden Isles. The island features sugary white sand beaches, marshland, and stunning forests. It is world-known for its population of wild horses that inhabit the island.

The island is known for being the home to important families including James Oglethorpe, the Carnegie family, Revolutionary War hero Nathanael Greene, and for being the site of JFK Jr’s wedding.

Getting to Cumberland Island

Cumberland Island is only accessible by boat. There is a ferry that leaves from St. Marys, Georgia. The Cumberland Queen Ferry runs three times a day from March to September and twice a day from October through November. During the months of January and February, the ferry runs twice a day but only leaves Mondays through Thursdays.

The National Park Service limits the number of visitors to 300 per day. Campers may remain on the island for up to one week.

Getting Around Cumberland Island

Plan on doing a lot of walking while visiting the island! There are no paved roads or trails on the island and the use of vehicles on the island is limited to private residents, contractors, and National Park employees.

One way many visitors choose to get around Cumberland Island is by bicycle. Bikes are allowed on the ferry for a $10 fee, but space is limited. You can also rent bikes on the island for $16/day. Bikes are only permitted on certain parts of the islands (you’ll see signs). Several spots on the island are hard difficult to navigate by bike because of the thick sand.

On our most recent visit, we hiked just over 7 miles and we stuck to just the southern tip of the island!

What is there to See on the Island?

The Ice House Museum was once one of the original Carnegie service buildings. Today the small museum houses original artifacts (and replicas) from the island’s prehistoric, colonial, early-American, and Gilded Era history.

The crown jewel of Cumberland Island are the Dungeness ruins. James Oglethorpe (founder of the colony of Georgia) first built a hunting lodge on the island in 1736. He named the lodge Dungeness.

Afterwards, Revolutionary War hero Nathanael Greene acquired 11,000 acres of the island in exchange for a bad debt. He moved to the island with his wife, Catharine Littlefield Greene. After his death, she built a four-story tabby mansion over a Timucuan shell mound. During the War of 1812 the British, who occupied the island, used the house as a headquarters.

In 1818, Major General Henry “Light-Horse Harry” Lee, a Revolutionary War hero and father of Robert E. Lee, came to the island and stayed in the Greene house until his death later that year. He was buried in the Greene-Miller cemetery. The home was abandoned during the Civil War and later burned to the ground.

In the 1880s, the property switched hands again when it was purchased by Thomas M. Carnegie, brother of philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. He built a 59-room Queen Anne style mansion and grounds which he also called Dungeness. After his death, in 1886, his wife Lucy continued to live in the mansion and built other estates on the island for her children including Greyfield, Plum Orchard, and the Stafford Plantation. The Carnegies owned 90% of the island. The family moved out of Dungeness in 1925 and the home was burned down in 1959.

The historic district comprises of the main house, servants quarters, utility buildings, laundries, cisterns, and other structures like the Nathanael Greene home.

The beach on Cumberland Island is absolutely stunning! There is sixteen miles of white sand that wild horses roam alongside sea turtles and horseshoe crabs.

While most day-visitors tend to stick to the south end of the island, there are other sites on the island. These include Greyfield (now the Greyfield Inn), and Plum Orchard.

The 5-6 hour long “The Lands and Legacies Tour” will take you to the north end of the island and visit sites such as Plum Orchard and The Settlement where John F. Kennedy Jr got married in the First African Baptist Church.

Things to Know Before Visiting...

There are no stores and very few amenities on the island. You’ll need to pack in and pack out everything that you’ll need for a day trip. Pack in and pack out means that you’ll need to take it with you when you arrive, and take it with you when you leave. Even garbage cans are hard to come by on the island!

Make sure to pack plenty of water (more than you think you’ll need- especially during the hot months!), and lots of food and snacks. You’ll be surprised at how hungry you’ll get doing all of that hiking or biking!

To answer your question; yes, there are bathrooms on the island! There are 4 bathrooms available on the south tip of the island. You will find one at the Sea Camp Dock, one in the Historic District, one near Sea Camp Campground, and one by the Greene-Miller cemetery.

The Horses of Cumberland Island

Perhaps even more famous than some of the humans that have inhabited the island are the wild horses that now call this paradise home. Horses have lived on Cumberland Island since the 1500s. They were left behind when the homes and plantations on the island were abandoned.

Cumberland has the only herd of feral horses on the Atlantic coast that is not managed- no food, water, veterinary care, or population control.

Staying Overnight

Camping

Reservations for camping can be made up to six months in advance with a limit of staying up to 7 consecutive nights. Sea Camp is the most developed campground on the island. It is located half mile from Sea Camp Dock. There are four additional campgrounds on the island. A permit is required to camp.

Upscale Lodging

Thomas and Lucy Carnegie built Greyfield for their daughter, Margaret. The home was converted to an in in 1962 by her daughter Lucy R. Ferguson. The Greyfield Inn is the epitome of sophisticated, Southern charm.

What Should I Take With Me?

When you’re hiking, please remember to leave no trace! This means to pack out everything that you pack in and if you see trash, pick it up.

Backpack– to store all of your belongings
Dry Bag– to keep your electronics and wallet safe, in case of rain (or kayaking)
Trail GPS– the Garmin Oregon handled GPS works offline. You can view maps, waypoints, tracks, and trails even if you don’t have a signal.
First-Aid Kit– this ultralight, watertight medical kit is a must if you’re hitting the trails!
Sunscreen- yes, you can get sunburned in the forest.
Insect Repellant
Water Bottle– Always pack more water than you think you’ll need!
Snacks

Hammock– I honestly pack a hammock on most hiking trips. Psh, I even bring them along with me when we go on cruises. There are plenty of spots in the forest to put up a hammock and chill out for a bit.

If you’re traveling with your pup, like we often do, be sure to bring along their leash, poop bags, a water dish (this one is collapsible), extra water, food, and snacks.

Learn more about Georgia’s 11 National Parks!

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Post Updated: 11/7/21

Tags GEORGIA, NATIONAL PARK, USA

Florida Jacksonville National Parks, Monuments, and Seashores United States

Discover Historic Kingsley Plantation

Post author By Elle MacRae
Post date March 20, 2021
6 Comments on Discover Historic Kingsley Plantation

Kingsley Plantation from the waterfront.

Kingsley Plantation is the oldest remaining plantation home in the state of Florida. It was once the home to Zephaniah Kingsley, a slaver who established plantations between South Carolina and Spanish Florida. The home is maintained by the National Park system as part of the Timucuan Preserve. It is a great place for visitors to stop in and learn about our nation’s dark past.

The site features 25 of the remaining 32 slave quarters, the main house, a barn, and a dock. There is plenty of signage throughout the site that tells the story of the people that once lived and worked here. Access to the main home is limited in order to help preserve the home. However, the ruins of the slave quarters are available to tour.

Who was Zephaniah Kingsley, Jr?

Zephaniah Kingsley, Jr was a quaker born in England. When he was a child, his family immigrated to South Carolina. He was a slave trader and merchant who built several plantations in Spanish Florida.

Kingsley established Kingsley Plantation where he resided for 25 years. Kingsley was known for being a “lenient slaveholder”. He “allowed” his slaves to be hired out for odd jobs and gave them the opportunity to purchase their freedom.

The slaves who worked on the plantation followed the task system. Each had a quota that they had to achieve each day- once they met their quota they were free to go about their day. Some of the slaves had personal gardens which they tended and sold their vegetables.

The plantation owner was also in favor of interracial marriage… and polygamy. Four of his enslaved women served as his concubines. He had nine children from these relationships.

Kingsley claimed to have married one of these women. 1806, on a trip to Cuba, he purchased Anna Madgigine Jai, a 13-year-old girl from what is now Senegal. In 1811, he petitioned the colonial Spanish government to grant Anna and their three children freedom. Once Anna gained her freedom, she was awarded five acres in Florida. She purchased slaves to help farm it.

The Kingsley’s owned several plantations included one on Drayton Island, Laurel Grove, Kingsley Plantation, and several locations on the opposite side of the St. Johns River including St. Johns Bluff, San Jose, and Beauclerc.

Kingsley Plantation

In 1814, Kingsley and his wife, Anna, moved to a plantation on Fort George Island. The island is located in modern-day Jacksonville, Florida. The plantation featured a main house and a two-story structure called “Ma’am Anna House” where Anna and her four children lived.

Thirty-two cabins were constructed from tabby about 1/4 mile from the main house.

The plantation produced oranges, cotton, indigo, okra, and other vegetables.

Where is the Kingsley Plantation Located?

Kingsley Plantation is part of the Timucuan Preserve. The plantation home is located on Jacksonville’s northside just off of Heckscher Drive.

Address:
11676 Palmetto Ave
Jacksonville, FL 32226

The Timucuan Preserve is managed by the National Park Service and includes Fort Caroline National Memorial, Theodore Roosevelt Area, American Beach, and Cedar Point. One of our favorite local beaches, Blackrock, is also part of this preserve.

Visiting the Kingsley Plantation

Kingsley Plantation is open from 9 AM to 5 PM on Wednesday through Sunday.

It is closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. It is open on MLK Day, Washington’s Birthday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, and Veterans Day.

Learn more about Florida’s National Parks!

Things to Know Before Visiting Kingsley Plantation

The Best Time to Visit Kingsley Plantation

The best time to visit is in the winter or spring when the weather is cooler and the bugs aren’t nearly as bad.

Entrance Fees

There is no fee to enjoy this park.

Cell Service

We had great cell service during our visit to the park.

Parking

Parking for Kingsley Plantation is available in a dirt lot near the plantation home.

Pet Policy

Pets are allowed on all trails and outside areas however, they are not permitted indoors.

Distance from Major Cities

Orlando, FL – 145 miles
Tampa, FL – 225 miles
Miami, FL – 355 miles
Atlanta, GA – 360 miles
Charlotte, NC – 390 miles
Birmingham, AL – 505 miles

Distance from Nearby National Parks

Everglades National Park – 390 miles
Congaree National Park – 285 miles
Great Smoky Mountains National Park – 475 miles
Biscayne National Park – 395 miles
Dry Tortugas National Park – 520 miles

What is there to do Nearby?

Black Rock Beach
Little Talbot Island
Big Talbot Island
Huguenot Memorial Park
Kingsley Plantation
Jacksonville Zoo
Yellow Bluff Fort
El Faro Memorial

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Post Updated: 3/20/2024

Tags FLORIDA, JACKSONVILLE

Florida Jacksonville National Parks, Monuments, and Seashores United States

Fort Caroline- Jacksonville’s Great Mystery

Post author By Elle MacRae
Post date February 10, 2021
11 Comments on Fort Caroline- Jacksonville’s Great Mystery

Lady Belle enjoying her visit to Fort Caroline

Fort Caroline is one of the places that I have been visiting since my childhood. In fact, it’s only about 10 minutes from the house I grew up in. Fort Caroline is known as the Atlantis of Florida because nobody knows where its actual location truly was. Perhaps, it was actually hidden in the woods in my backyard the whole time!

Firing Cannons at Fort Caroline National Memorial

When most people think about forts in northeast Florida, they picture the Spanish fortress Castillo de San Marcos or the Civil War era Fort Clinch. It is often forgotten that the French had a short tenure in the area before they were almost completely wiped out by the Spanish.

The French in Florida

In 1562, the French landed on the banks of the St. Johns River in present-day northeast Florida. The encampment was to be a safe haven for Huguenots who were being persecuted in France because they were Protestants, rather than Catholics.

The Huguenots were led by explorer Jean Ribault who reportedly landed less than 1 mile from Huguenot Memorial Park. Ribault and his men established the settlements of Charlesfort and Fort Caroline (both named in honor of his king, King Charles).

The French came into conflict with the Spanish who established St. Augustine in 1565. Fort Caroline was ambushed by the Spanish, led by Pedro Menendez de Aviles on September 20th. The Spanish killed everyone but 50 women and 26 escapees. The French settlement in Florida came to a bloody end and the Spanish occupied the site as San Mateo until 1569.

What is Fort Caroline National Memorial?

The exact location of the fort is unknown. In 1953 the National Park Service established the Fort Caroline National Memorial along the southern bank of the St. John’s River near a point that commemorates René Goulaine de Laudonnière’s first landing. This structure is a replica of the fort, based on sketches of the 16th-century structure and believed to be a one-third scale model of the original. It is surrounded by hiking trails and other noteworthy historical sites on the 46,000-acre Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve.

The preserve includes; the Theodore Roosevelt Area, with five different Florida ecosystems visible in one hike; the Fort George Island Visitor Center, which describes the natural and cultural history of the preserve’s island home; and Kingsley Plantation, which includes the oldest standing plantation house in Florida as well as several original slave quarters. One of our favorite local beaches, Blackrock, is also part of this preserve.

Visiting the Fort Caroline National Memorial

Fort Caroline is easily accessible, although it does require a short walk down a well-beaten path through the woods to access to fort.

Along the way, visitors will pass recently renovated replicas of Timucua structures including two huts and a canoe made out of a hulled-out tree. The Timucua were indigenous people that live in Northeast and North Central Florida and Southeast Georgia. The Huguenots befriended the Timucua and these structures serve as a symbol of their relationship.

The triangular wooden open-air structure is located on the banks of the St. Johns River. Throughout the fort, you’ll find signage explaining the history of the French Huguenots and their short stint in Florida.

Our kids had a blast climbing the steps, pretending to fire the cannons, and running up and down the embankments.

Fort Caroline is pet-friendly. In fact, our pups love hanging out at the fort and spending time on the trails nearby. If you bring your pooch, please make sure they are on a 6-foot leash, and be sure to clean up after then.

There’s an easy-to-moderate 1.3 mile hiking trail that loops from the parking lot, past the Timucua structures, by the fort, through the woods, and back to the parking lot. The trail is easy to navigate and is quite enjoyable

Visitors Information

Physical Address:

12713 Fort Caroline Road
Jacksonville, FL 32225

Phone:

904-641-7155

Learn more about Florida’s National Parks.

Things to Know Before Visiting Fort Caroline