St. Marys in Camden County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
St. Marys: A Military Town for 200+ Years
St. Marys History Walk
Photographed By Brandon D Cross, January 18, 2020
1. A Military Town Marker
By 1740, English General James Oglethorpe had established two forts (Fort St. Andrew and Fort William) on Cumberland Island to monitor the Spanish to the south. When the St. Marys River separated nations, America’s military had an important strategic presence. Fort Tammany, built in the early 1790s near the corner of St. Marys and Wheeler Streets was staffed with Federal Dragoons and in service for about 20 years. During WWII, Cumberland Island residents watched for German submarines operating offshore. During the Cold War, the U.S. Army established Kings Bay Army Terminal, allowing for rapid movement of forces and supplies in a national emergency. In 1978, it became Kings Bay Naval Submarine Base, home to America’s Ballistic Missile Submarines for the Atlantic Fleet, part of the nation’s strategic defense.
Erected 2016 by St. Marys Submarine Museum.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Forts and Castles • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1740.
Location. 30° 43.297′ N, 81° 33.214′ W. Marker is in St. Marys, Georgia, in Camden County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of Bartlett Street and St Marys Street West, on the left when traveling north.
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Birth of a City (a few steps from this marker); Southern Signature (a few steps from this marker); The Civil War Comes to St. Marys (a few steps from this marker); Georgia’s Spanish Period (a few steps from this marker); The Civil War: Local People (a few steps from this marker); The Civil War: Local Landmarks (a few steps from this marker); The Washington Pump & Oak (a few steps from this marker); Industry finds St. Marys (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. Marys.
Photographed By Brandon D Cross, January 18, 2020
2. A Military Town Marker
Photographed By Brandon D Cross, January 18, 2020
3. Photo Insert Center Right Side: Sailors aboard the U.S.S. Florida
Photo courtesy of Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay
Photographed By Brandon D Cross, January 18, 2020
4. Photo Insert Bottom Right Side: U.S.S. Florida docking at Kings Bay Submarine Base
Photo courtesy of Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay
Photographed By Brandon D Cross, January 18, 2020
5. Entrance to St. Marys History Walk
Photographed By Brandon D Cross, January 18, 2020
6. St. Marys History Walk from a distance
Credits. This page was last revised on October 13, 2020. It was originally submitted on January 29, 2020, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 397 times since then and 42 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on January 29, 2020, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
