Visit Fort Frederica on Saint Simons Island, Georgia

Fort Frederica on Saint Simons Island, Georgia offers a chance to peer into our colonial past, to visit a time and understand the vital role that Frederica played in the larger contest to see who - Great Britain or Spain - would control this part of the world," said Burpee. "It also provides a lens to look at those settlers who arrived here in 1736 who also went through some hard financial times."

View the archaeological site of the fort and take part in the programs that help you take a look into our history and learn about the what it was like to live here in the 1700's.  Events include tours guided by rangers, demonstration of historic weapons, audio and film exhibits and the award winning "Junior Ranger Program. 

Fort Frederica, located on Saint Simons Island Georgia has a wealth of history that is brought to life for you by the National Park Service. Named after Frederick, Prince of Wales, Fort Frederica is located on the bend of the Frederica River, this site was originally occupied by the Gualdalquini Indians and Spanish Missionaries.  During Fort Frederica's occupation, a group of Creek Indians, the Yamacraw inhabited Fort Frederica along with the English. 

When James Oglethorpe founded Georgia, Fort Frederica was selected for its excellent defense position on the bend of the Frederica River.  Frederica's time period was from 1736-1758.  Approximately 800 - 100 inhabitants lived there at the peak of Fort Frederica's occupancy. 

Even though the land is now covered with beautiful oaks, the land had been cleared of trees by the Indians prior to Fort Frederica's construction.  So, during the 1700's, the land was basically clear cut. 

Fort Frederica is the location of the Bloody Marsh.  In the 1742 Battle of Bloody Marsh on St. Simons Island, General Oglethorpe's soldiers defeated Spanish forces in what was the only Spanish invasion of Georgia during the War of Jenkins' Ear. The battle earned its name from its location rather than from the number of casualties, which were minimal. There is a cemetery location on the grounds of Fort Frederica.  Both the number of people and their identities those buried in the cemetery are unknown. 

For more information on our area, visit http://www.juliechapman.com and request a newcomers guide for our area.