Darien in McIntosh County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

Old Fort King George

Photographed by Mike Stroud, August 2008

1. Old Fort King George Marker

Inscription. Site of old Fort King George, built in 1721 by Col. John Barnwell, of South Carolina, under British Royal orders. This tiny cypress blockhouse, 26 feet square, with 3 floors, and a lookout in the gable from which the guard could watch over the Inland Waterway and St. Simon`s Island, was flanked by officers quarters and barracks, and the entire area was surrounded on all but the river side by a moat and palisades. Garrisoned by his Majesty`s Independent Company, with replacements of Colony scouts, the fort was occupied for six years. During that time more than 140 officers and soldiers lost their lives here and were buried on the adjacent bluff. The first of the British 18th century scheme of posts built to counteract French expansion in America, Fort King George was also a flagrant trespass upon Spanish territory, and during its occupation Spain continually demanded that it be destroyed.

The troops were withdrawn to Port Royal in 1727, but until Oglethorpe arrived in Savannah in 1733 South Carolina kept two lookouts at old Fort King George

Erected 1957 by Georgia Historical Commission. (Marker Number 095-19.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Forts and Castles

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• Military • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Georgia Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1721.

Location. 31° 21.859′ N, 81° 24.937′ W. Marker is in Darien, Georgia, in McIntosh County. It is at the intersection of Fort King George Road on Fort King George Road. Located at Fort King George Historic Site. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Darien GA 31305, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Georgia’s Coastal Plain, on the Georgia Coast and the Golden Isles,

and on the Sea Islands.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: How Steam Engines Worked (a few steps from this marker); Lower Bluff Sawmill (a few steps from this marker); Guale Indian Village (a few steps from this marker); 200 Years of Sawmilling (within shouting distance of this marker); To The Soldiers Of Fort King George (within shouting distance of this marker); The Savannah Lumber Company (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Savannah Lumber Company - Mill Site (about 300 feet away); Site of Early Spanish Mission (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Darien.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, 2008

2. Old Fort King George Marker

Old Fort King George Blockhouse image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, 2008

3. Old Fort King George Blockhouse

Old Fort King George image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, August 27, 2008

4. Old Fort King George

Old Fort King George replica cannon inside the blockhouse image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, August 27, 2008

5. Old Fort King George replica cannon inside the blockhouse

Old Fort King George fortifies Darien River, Back door to Charleston, SC image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, August 2008

6. Old Fort King George fortifies Darien River, Back door to Charleston, SC

Protection for South Carolina from the Spanish and Seminoles from the south and French from the Mississippi regions in the west

Fort King George image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, 2008

7. Fort King George

Old Fort King George Barracks and stores area image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, August 2008

8. Old Fort King George Barracks and stores area

Photographed by Mike Stroud, 2008

9. Old Fort King George Marker

Old Fort King George "Lower Bluff " Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, August 2008

10. Old Fort King George "Lower Bluff " Marker

Colonel John Barnwell described the spartina grass marshes as "resembling meadows" with "vast cypress swamps." It was in these swamps that Barnwell sent his men to retrieve cypress logs. Small wonder the men mutinied and would not complete the fort until being promised higher wages. The small creek before you was once a navigable river. A cut made across the loop of the river in the late 1800's,for a navigation shortcut, caused the main currents of the river to shift about a mile south of here.

Old Fort King George British graves as mentioned on Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, August 2008

11. Old Fort King George British graves as mentioned on Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on August 30, 2024. It was originally submitted on September 1, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,824 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11. submitted on September 1, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.