Walkabout at St. Marys Waterfront, 9/16/2018

This is our second visit to St. Marys and we will be here for a month. What originally attracted us to this place was Cumberland Island National Seashore. Because of Hurricane Mathew, the national seashore was closed due to damages to the dock and property during our first visit in 2016. We liked the area so much, we are back for a second time.

We stopped at the Cumberland Island Visitor Center to pick up information about the ferry schedule to the island. An elevator (or stairs) take you to the second floor where there are exhibits and a small gift shop.

There are great views of St. Marys River from the 2nd floor porch. 

The Park Ranger provided us with info about the ferry schedule (advised us to purchase ferry tickets on-line) and about places to hike on Cumberland Island. The exhibits provide an interesting overview of the natural and cultural history of the island. 

I always love the “please touch” bins (with shells, seaweed, etc.) found in many national park service visitor centers. Other displays provide details on the flora on the island (sea oats, live oak). 

The Tacatacuru lived on Cumberland Island in the 16th and 17th centuries (and their ancestors for thousand of years before). They hunted, gathered, farmed, and fished on the island, but abandoned it by 1675 due to tribal wars and Eurasian diseases. 

In 1884, Lucy and Thomas Carnegie began construction on their winter home (Dungeness) on Cumberland Island. Thomas died just one year after it was completed. Lucy made Dungeness her full-time home and raised her 9 children (ages 4 to 19) on the island. She subsequently built other mansions on the island for her children. It was donated to the National Park Service in 1972. 

We’re really looking forward to getting over to the island, but we have to leave our doggie, Sadie, at home (due to wildlife there).

Across the street from the Visitor Center are several restaurants and the Submarine Museum (3rd building from the left).

South of the Visitor Center is the Howard Gilman Memorial Park. I loved the “tide clock” at the north entrance. There are 2 high and 2 low tides a day (about 6’ difference) along the waterfront. 

The the picturesque fountain can be seen beyond the pergola of the main entrance. 

Swings along the walkway are a lovely way to enjoy the boats traveling on the river. 

A gazebo and amphitheater are also in the park and can be rented for events. 

Marshy areas can be seen south of the town. 

You can enjoy St. Marys History Walk by calling 800-866-8687 and following the prompts. The walk begins at St. Marys Street and Bartlett Street (a two-minute walk from the waterfront park). For additional information about St. Marys, go to www.visitstmarys.com.