I recently finished reading the first in the St. Simons Island trilogy by Eugenia Price entitled “The Lighthouse”. Several friends mentioned the book to me before I actually broke down and ordered a copy. The connection the book made me feel with the island has led me to do a bit of exploring on my own. I now have the other books in the trilogy entitled, “New Moon Rising” and “The Beloved Invader”.
I love anything to do with history. Finding out about the origins of St. Simons Island, its original settler’s and and their stories is one of the reasons I began to write this blog in the first place. As I began to read about James Gould and his journey to the area back in the late 1700’s I felt a connection with his pioneering spirit and quest to build the lighthouse of his dreams. His original lighthouse was destroyed in 1862 by Confederate soldiers to prevent Federal troops from using it. The lighthouse was rebuilt in 1872.
Then I found out that I could actually visit the cemetery at Christ Church and see his grave. More connection. Christ Church was first built in 1808, destroyed during the Civil War and rebuilt, as it stands today in 1884.
I located the headstone of Gould’s grave while walking through the Christ Church cemetery. Putting the past together with evidence here in the present is always of interest to me. When I lived in New York City I loved traveling into New England to experience the history. Now, I’m finding it all around me on this island.
Just down from Christ Church is Fort Frederica, the settlement established by James Oglethorpe to protect the southern boundary of the British Colony, Georgia, from Spaniard raids. A quiet, peaceful place now. Acres of ancient oak trees draped with Spanish moss provide shade as you look out over the Frederica River.
If you have never been to Coastal Georgia, I highly recommend a visit! You’ll find everything you could want! History, good food and entertainment, lodging from economical to elegant and beautiful beaches. Living here truly makes me feel like the permanent tourist.
One Response
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education Says:
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