St. Marys in Camden County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
Industry finds St. Marys:
Pine Gum to Turpentine to Paper
— St. Marys History Walk —
By Brandon D Cross, January 18, 2020
1. Industry finds St. Marys Marker
The 1870s saw a county-wide boom in the production of turpentine, a resin distilled from the gum of pine trees. Gum harvesting was labor-intensive, back-breaking and conducted during the hottest, most humid time of year. After collection, the gum was melted and its vapor condensed into turpentine, a product suitable for many uses, including early ship building, solvents , lubricants and medicines.
By 1915 Burdette Loomis of Connecticut had built a paper plant on North River. The greatest impact to Camden County’s economy came when Gilman Paper Company built the St. Marys Kraft Corporation plant in 1940.
Erected 2016 by Mr. & Mrs. Jay Lassiter.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Horticulture & Forestry • Industry & Commerce • Parks & Recreational Areas.
Location. 30° 43.3′ N, 81° 33.249′ 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
By Brandon D Cross, January 18, 2020
2. Industry finds St. Marys Marker
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Industry finds St. Marys (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Industry finds St. Marys: (here, next to this marker); The Forgotten Battle (a few steps from this marker); The Forgotten Battle’s (a few steps from this marker); Weathering (a few steps from this marker); The Last Battles of The War of 1812 (a few steps from this marker); Ships Under Sail: (a few steps from this marker); Shipbuilding Launched in St. Marys (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. Marys.
By Brandon D Cross, January 18, 2020
3. Photo Insert Top Left: Typical Georgia Turpentine Still
U.S. Farm Security Administration, 1937
Courtesy, Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division
Courtesy, Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division
By Brandon D Cross, January 18, 2020
4. Photo Insert Bottom Left: Gilman Paper Company,
Kraft Bag Division, St. Marys, 1952
Courtesy, Georgia Archives, Vanishing Georgia Collection, Image: CAM045
Courtesy, Georgia Archives, Vanishing Georgia Collection, Image: CAM045
By Brandon D Cross, January 18, 2020
5. Photo Insert Center: Cup Cutter System by Dorothea Lange,
U.S. Farm Security Administration,
Courtesy, Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division
Courtesy, Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division
By Brandon D Cross, January 18, 2020
6. St. Marys History Walk Entrance
Credits. This page was last revised on October 21, 2020. It was originally submitted on February 9, 2020, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 53 times since then and 2 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on February 9, 2020, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
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