I obviously love the village area of St. Simons Island as our real estate office, the buggie rental store and also our Beachcomber Snow company are all found there. Now there is even more reason to make the Village and Pier area of St. Simons Island a must see to visitors to Glynn County. The newly enhanced oceanside pool, mini putt-putt golf course and playground area are now open for business in Neptune Park. The St. Simons Island Casino is a popular gathering place for visitors to take a break in one of the rockers and watch the boats and ocean traffic go by or visit the island library and gather brochures and area info from the Visitors Information Center. Many weddings and receptions choose this lovely venue to enjoy the breathtaking ocean view and balmy breezes.
This island public park bears an interesting story of how it got the name, Neptune Park. Neptune Small was born as a slave on Thomas Butler King's Retreat Plantation which is currently the site of the Sea Island Golf Course. Neptune Small accompanied his master's son, Lord, to the Battle of Fredericksburg where Lord was killed in battle. The body was returned to Retreat for burial in Christ Church cemetery. Small insisted on returning to the battlefields with Lord's brother, Cuyler. At war's end, Thomas King gave Neptune beachfront land at the southern end of the island to build a home. Even after Emancipation, Small worked for the King family as a free man until his death in 1907 and was buried on Retreat Plantation. His property became one of St. Simons' most valuable parcels and the park adjoining the pier was named in his honor.
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