St. Simons Island in Glynn County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

Frederica — The Kings Magazine

Fort Frederica National Monument

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, March 10, 2016

1. Frederica — The Kings Magazine Marker

Inscription.
”All sentrys are to be vigilant on their post; neither are they to sing, smoke tobacco, nor suffer any noise to be made near them.”
Treatise of Military Discipline
1749

”The Kings Magazine,” as it is known today, was probably built during the latter part of Frederica’s colonial period. Less than half of the 96-foot structure remains standing.

Archeologists believe the Kings Magazine had three principal parts. On the left — still partially intact — were two vaults for protecting gunpowder. At the center stood the fort’s main entrance, or sally port, crowned with a large tower. On the right were small rooms used by soldiers on guard duty.

Beginning in 1903, the Kings Magazine became the local point of efforts to preserve the remains of Frederica. Walls were rebuilt, and the riverbank was backfilled to prevent erosion of the site. The Kings Magazine was only part of the town’s extensive fortifications, but to many visitors today, it is “the fort.”

For your own safety, and the protection of the fragile tabby ruins, please do not climb on the Kings Magazine.

Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

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This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Colonial Era • Forts and Castles.

Location. 31° 13.435′ N, 81° 23.587′ W. Marker is on St. Simons Island, Georgia, in Glynn County. It can be reached from Mimosa Drive 0.4 miles west of Frederica Road. Marker and subject ruins are located beside the Mackay River, near the west end of the interpretive trail at Fort Frederica National Monument. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 6515 Frederica Road, Saint Simons Island GA 31522, 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

Marker illustration: The Kings Magazine image. Click for full size.

2. Marker illustration: The Kings Magazine

At the Kings Magazine, sentries kept watch by the sally port, and guarded prisoners in the cells.

of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Frederica — North Storehouse (a few steps from this marker); Frederica - The Fort (a few steps from this marker); Frederica — Guns on the River (a few steps from this marker); Frederica - Oglethorpe (within shouting distance of this marker); Frederica — Keeper of the Kings Stores (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Frederica — Tavernkeeper and Doctor (about 300 feet away); Five Years at Frederica (about 300 feet away); Citadel of the Town of Frederica (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. Simons Island.

Regarding Frederica — The Kings Magazine. From "The Fort at Frederica", by Albert C. Manucy:

"This is the mystery ruin. Of all the masonry structures in the fort, it alone has weathered the years. It was a very substantial building. Yet, in the records it is a ghost. Nowhere is its construction specifically mentioned. Neither is it described. There is not even a name for it; we agree to call it the King's Magazine in order to distinguish it from the King's

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, March 10, 2016

3. Frederica — The Kings Magazine Marker

Storehouses, but we do so with full realization that the entire government warehouse system at Frederica, the storehouses, powder magazines, and this mystery building is properly comprised in the term "King's Magazine."" (Submitted on March 15, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

National Register of Historic Places #66000065.

Also see . . .
1. Fort Frederica National Monument. Wikipedia entry:
Links to National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form (Submitted on November 19, 2024, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

2. Fort Frederica, King's Magazine (Ruins). (Library of Congress photo gallery) (Submitted on March 15, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

The King's Magazine: Vault Interior image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, March 10, 2016

4. The King's Magazine: Vault Interior

The King's Magazine: Oglethorpe Plaque image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, March 10, 2016

5. The King's Magazine: Oglethorpe Plaque

This remnant is all
that time has spared of the
citadel of the town of Frederica
built by
General Oglethorpe
A.D. 1736
As an outpost against
The Spanish in Florida

The King's Magazine (<i>west elevation</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, March 10, 2016

6. The King's Magazine (west elevation)

The King's Magazine image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, March 10, 2016

7. The King's Magazine

Credits. This page was last revised on November 19, 2024. It was originally submitted on March 12, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 301 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on March 15, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.