St. Simons Island in Glynn County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
Frederica - The Fort
Photographed By Mike Stroud, May 10, 2009
1. Frederica - The Fort Marker
"In the morning, Mr. Oglethorpe began to mark out a fort with four bastions, and taught the men how to dig the ditch, and raise and turf the rampart."
Francis Moore 1736 A Voyage to Georgia
General Oglethorpe chose this site for Frederica's fort. It was high ground on a river bend where cannon could hold off Spanish ships upstream or downstream. Flanking marshes gave protection against land attack, And there was plenty of timber for building fortifications.
The fort at Frederica became the center of military operations along the Southern frontier of the British colonies. From here Oglethorpe launched offensives against the Spanish at St. Augustine. The Spanish invaded Georgia in 1742, but were turned back before they reached Frederica.
The fort was eventually leveled - not by the Spanish, but by time and the elements. Archeological excavations in the 1950s confirmed the locations of palisades, walls, and buildings. Earthworks have been partially reconstructed.
Erected by National Park Service.
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 1736.
Location. 31° 13.443′
this page online
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 Kings Magazine (a few steps from this marker); Frederica — Guns on the River (within shouting distance of this marker); Frederica - Oglethorpe (within shouting distance of this marker); Frederica — Keeper of the Kings Stores (within shouting distance of this marker); Five Years at Frederica (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Frederica — Tavernkeeper and Doctor (about 300 feet away); Patrick and Priscilla Houstoun (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. Simons Island.
Also see . . . Fort Frederica. New Georgia Encyclopedia website entry (Submitted on May 13, 2009, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.)
Photographed By Nat. Park Serv.
2. Frederica - The Fort Marker
The settlers built the fort when they arrived
in 1736. Later it was strengthened. This
drawing shows how the fort may have looked
about 1742.
Photographed By Mike Stroud, May 10, 2009
3. Frederica - The Fort
Photographed By Mike Stroud, May 10, 2009
4. Frederica - The Fort
Photographed By Mike Stroud, May 10, 2009
5. Frederica - The Fort Historian / Living History Musket Firing
Credits. This page was last revised on October 8, 2021. It was originally submitted on May 13, 2009, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 798 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on May 13, 2009, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
