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

Site of Early Spanish Mission

Photographed By Mike Stroud, August 2008

1. Site of Early Spanish Mission Marker

Inscription. This high bluff was the site of one of the early Spanish Missions of the Old District of Guale. Here, in the late 16th and the 17th centuries, Franciscan friars labored with the Indians, converting them to Chritianity and instructing them in agriculture and other crafts of civilization.

Occupied by a large Indian village before the coming of the Spaniards, this tract was an ideal site for the mission and school activities of the Spanish priests. Archaeological excavations in the area in 1941 and 1953 disclosed evidence of both Indian and Spanish occupation- Indian pottery and bone tools with Spanish olive jars, majolica and iron work, outline of buildings constructed before and after the coming of white men.

Built in the area called by the Spaniards, "Talaje," the mission on this site was part of the chain of missions and visitas by which Spain held title for nearly two centuries to what is now the Coast of Georgia.

Erected 1957 by Georgia Historical Commission. (Marker Number 095-10.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Colonial Era • Exploration

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• Notable Buildings • Notable Places • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Georgia Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1941.

Location. 31° 21.86′ N, 81° 25.051′ W. Marker is in Darien, Georgia, in McIntosh County. Marker can be reached from Ft. King George Drive. At Fort King George State Historic site. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Darien GA 31305, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Savannah Lumber Company (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); To The Soldiers Of Fort King George (about 400 feet away); 200 Years of Sawmilling (about 500 feet away); How Steam Engines Worked (about 500 feet away); Lower Bluff Sawmill (about 500 feet away); Guale Indian Village (about 500 feet away); Old Fort King George (about 600 feet away); Birthplace of John McIntosh Kell (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Darien.

Also see . . . James A. Ford and the Growth of Americanist Archaeology By Michael John O'Brien, R. Lee Lyman. pages 60-61 Santo Domingo de Talaje ? (Submitted on September 7, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.)

Photographed By Mike Stroud, 2008

2. Site of Early Spanish Mission Marker

"Tabby" remains can be seen in the background.

Photographed By Mike Stroud, 2008

3. Site of Early Spanish Mission Marker

Tabby House c. 1830s

Site of Early Spanish Mission Marker "Tabby" image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Stroud, August 27, 2008

4. Site of Early Spanish Mission Marker "Tabby"

Tabby The word tabby is African in origin with an Arabic background and means " a wall made of earth and masonary."

Tabby is a building material for walls, floors and roofs, widely used in coastal Georgia during the colonial period and the early 1800's. It is composed of equal parts of sand, lime, oyster shells and water mixed and poured into forms. The forms were placed around the building and kept apart with spreader pins. After the tabby hardened, the pins were pulledout, and the forms were raised for the next layer of tabby.
Lime made by burning Oyster Shells

Photographed By Mike Stroud, August 27, 2008

5. Site of Early Spanish Mission Marker

Spanish Mission (1600-1675) Archaeologists excavating on this bluff found some evidence of a Spanish mission here, possibly Santo Domingo de Talaje, one of the Georgia missions. Artifacts of Spanish origin found here include two olive jars, various sherds of glazed pottery (majolica), a musket buttplate, a sword piece, rosary beads and a coin. ( at the museum)

Credits. This page was last revised on October 12, 2021. It was originally submitted on September 7, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 3,257 times since then and 79 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on September 7, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.