History

If it were not for St. Simon's long and diverse history it would not be the place that it is today. During the time period when the British were colonizing middle and northern parts of the United States , the Spanish had claimed Florida as their own and were looking for room to expand. The land that was between Spanish and British claimed lands was often subjects of dispute. The Spanish were constantly pushing for more land north of Florida and the British wanted these lands as well. In and attempt to suppress Spanish invasions of British land, James Oglethorpe established a fort called Frederica at the end the war (NPS, par. 2). This is known as War of Jenkins' Ear ( Wikipedia, Fort Frederica ) . This fort served its purpose on July 7th, 1742, when a group of Spanish soldiers, marching through a marsh on St. Simons, were surrounded and attacked by British soldiers that had been stationed at Frederica ( Wikipedia. Fort Frederica ). The battle is known as the Battle of Bloody Marsh (Wikipedia, Fort Frederica ). The marsh where the battle took place has been preserved and remains as it was since this historic battle. The marsh, now known as the Bloody Marsh, is an example of how the community is given character by its history and has developed around historical land features.

The Island also is rich in religious history as well. During the time of colonization the minister John Wesley, while doing some missionary work, resided on the island for some time. His efforts to spread the gospel and provoke islanders' religious curiosity were only boosted, when later in 1808, the state of Georgia gave one hundred acres of land to St. Simons that was to be used for a church. The church established is known as Christ Church , Frederica, it is an Episcopal church. One of the effects from the establishment of Christ Church is that it has made Christianity the island's most prevalent religion. Since Christ Churches' establishment, several other Christian churches on the island have been established, such as Methodist and Baptists Churches . The development of the churches has encouraged many of the islands inhabitants to become religiously involved.

The Island ’s history also includes cotton production and slavery. At one point, almost the entire island was cleared of trees for cotton production. There is no great visual or physical evidence that exists today to show that the plantations ever existed. However, there is demographic evidence in that ninety-two percent of the islands inhabitants are white and the average home value is nearly double the National value of the average home (ESRI, sec. 4). These social values can be paralleled to those during the time period of the cotton plantations existence when the majority of the islands land owners were rich whites. It is impossible to avoid the islands history when defining the natural, physical, and social aspects of the island. When you are on the island there is a definite feel of living history all around you.