Historic Coast Guard Station

• The Historic Coast Guard Station is on the St. Simons Island East Beach coastline, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and adjacent to the historic St. Simons Lighthouse. This station was completed in 1937; it was a project under the Works Progress Administration in the 1930s. St. Simons Island's Historic Coast Guard Station operated as a fully operational station until 1995, when the Coast Guard moved to a more updated facility. Currently, this historic site is a museum and features seven interactive exhibits. The exhibits' artifacts and photos focus on the history of the Coast Guard Station and St. Simons Island.
  
  

St. Simons Lighthouse

• Designed by renowned architect, Charles Cluskey, the St. Simons Lighthouse, saintsimonslighthouse.org, was completed in 1872. This oceanside site stands at 104-feet and has a Victorian-era design. Two features include the 129 cast iron spiral staircase encircling the tower and the keeper's house, which is adjacent to the lighthouse. The keeper's house was also built in 1872. The St. Simons Lighthouse is still operating for navigating ships; however, the operation is automated now and does not require a lighthouse keeper. The museum at St. Simons Lighthouse allows the public to climb to the top of the tower in the morning and afternoon.
  
  

Fort Frederica National Monument

• Fort Frederica National Monument is on the northern side of St. Simons Island. This historic fort was built by the British in the 1730s to protect the colony of Georgia against Spanish invaders. In 1742, the British and Spanish fought over the colony. The British won the battle, which prevented Spanish reign in Georgia. Fort Frederica is open to the public. Visitors at Fort Frederica also have access to the Bloody Marsh Battle Site, a grassy area south of the fort. The British and the Spanish also fought at this site; a stone monument is at Bloody Marsh Battle Site.
  
  

Gascoigne Bluff

• Situated in western St. Simons Island, Gascoigne Bluff overlooks the Frederica River and features historic sites, including two slave cabins. The cabins remains from the Hamilton Plantation, which occupied the area in the early- and mid-19th century; both cabins were built in 1833. Tours of the slave cabins are available through the Cassina Garden Club (cassinagardenclub.org). Many of the oak trees at Gascoigne Bluff were used to construct the U.S.S. Constitution battleship. Another 19th century building at Gascoigne Bluff is the Lovely Lane Chapel, which is currently used for wedding ceremonies.