Spanish explorers arrived here in search of gold more than 400 years ago, but it is the natural beauty of the area that inspired the “Golden Isles” moniker.
Midway between Savannah, Georgia and Jacksonville, Florida lies the mainland city of Brunswick, Georgia and four barrier islands: St. Simons Island, Sea Island, Little St. Simons Island and Jekyll Island.
Frederica is located on the island of St. Simons. Just 35 minutes from Interstate I-95, this island, with its natural beauty and an understated elegance, is a true treasure that combines a very real sense of privacy and intimacy with easy access by land, air and sea.
Location Facts:
I-95 – 35-minute drive
Savannah, GA – 90-minute drive
Jacksonville, FL – 90-minute drive
Atlanta, GA – 5-hour drive
Driving directions to the Frederica Realty office:
Traveling on I-95 South
Take exit 38, GA 25 Spur/Golden Isles Parkway.
Turn left onto GA 25 Spur/Golden Isles Parkway for approximately 4.7 miles.
Turn right to merge onto US 17/Glenn Avenue for approximately 1.5 miles.
Turn left on to the F. J. Torras Causeway.
After passing marina (on right side), stay in left lane to Sea Island Road.
At 1st traffic light, proceed straight onto Sea Island Road.
Then proceed to the 3rd traffic light, turn left onto Frederica Road.
At the roundabout, turn right onto Lawrence Road, parallel to the horse stables.
Go approximately ¼ of a mile and turn left onto Frederica Stables Drive.
Traveling on I-95 North
Take exit 29, US 17/GA 25.
Turn right onto Hwy 17/GA 25 continuing on for approximately 9.4 miles
Turn right onto the F. J. Torras Causeway.
After passing marina (on right side), stay in left lane to Sea Island Road.
At 1st traffic light, proceed straight onto Sea Island Road.
Then proceed to the 3rd traffic light, turn left onto Frederica Road.
At the roundabout, turn right onto Lawrence Road, parallel to the horse stables.
Go approximately ¼ of a mile and turn left onto Frederica Stables Drive.
Airport Access
Private aircraft – McKinnon Airport on St. Simons Island – 20-minute drive
Brunswick Golden Isles Airport (Three incoming Delta Connection flights daily) – 30-minute drive
Jacksonville International Airport – 60 miles
Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport – 70 miles
Area Overview
St. Simons Island
– The largest of the Golden Isles, St. Simons is a quietly beautiful
vacation destination and year-round community with miles of undisturbed
beaches and pristine shoreline. Kite surfing, sailing, dolphin watching
and bicycling are just a few of the favorite activities on the island,
as are kayak tours of marshlands teeming with wildlife standing guard
over the fragile coastline. Deep-sea fishing brings in catches of king
mackerel, Spanish mackerel, cobia, grouper and snapper. Inshore tidal
creeks and bays are abundant with redfish, sea trout, flounder, tarpon,
shrimp and blue crabs. Full-service marinas offer all the conveniences
and essentials as you enjoy access to Intracoastal Waterway.
St. Simons Island Lighthouse and Bloody Marsh Battle Site are two
historic points of interest here, along with the Ft. Frederica National
Monument. The tabby remains of this fortress - built by the British in
the 1730s to defend against Spanish invaders - have served as
inspiration for much of the architecture at Frederica.
In the Village of St. Simons, you’ll find charming shops, outdoor cafes
and gourmet restaurants. Live theatre performances and concerts,
including the popular “Jazz in the Park,” series are wonderful ways to
enjoy a pleasant evening under the stars.
Brunswick – Rising along Georgia’s southern coast is the city of Brunswick. This historic port city, located a short 20-minute drive from Frederica, offers a setting featuring nineteenth century Victorian-style homes, century-old live oak trees, sweeping golden marshland and tree-lined streets of carefully preserved buildings. You’ll also find a community with a wide selection of dining options from outdoor cafes to fine restaurants. There are fun boutiques, art galleries, plenty of banking and financial institutions, and lots of theatres and cultural options.
The Brunswick waterfront is a favorite gathering place as shrimp boats deliver their daily catch, and the Farmer’s Market lets you pick up fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables. With world-class hospital and health care, a strong educational system and active neighborhood churches and synagogues, Brunswick offers an appealing and pleasurable area to call “home.”
Sea Island – Home to The Cloister, the storied luxury resort with a long history of world-class amenities gracious service, Sea Island has been a favorite destination of presidents, royalty and celebrities for more than 80 years. The island, a mere 10 minutes from Frederica, features beautiful ocean views at every turn as well as grand old private homes.
Jekyll Island – Located 30 minutes from Frederica, and once the opulent winter retreat of some of the nation’s wealthiest families, Jekyll Island remains a beautiful vacation destination. What was once the exclusive “Jekyll Island Club” is now a National Historic Landmark, open to the public. The island is now owned by the State of Georgia and its natural beauty is carefully maintained.
Little St. Simons Island – This private barrier island is only accessible by boat and offers 10,000 acres of maritime forests and marshlands, along with seven miles of beaches. The island’s cottages and lodge hold a maximum of 32 guests each night. Those fortunate enough to spend the evening are also able to enjoy tours by naturalists through marshes and trails.
Area History -The first European settler known to this area was Mark Carr, a Scotsman and captain in General James Oglethorpe’s Marine Boat Company. Upon landing in 1738, Carr established his 1,000-acre tobacco plantation along the Turtle River.
The Royal Province of Georgia purchased Carr’s fields in 1771 and laid out the town of Brunswick in a grid style following Oglethorpe’s Savannah Plan. The town was then named after the duchy of Brunswick - Lüneburg in Germany, which was the ancestral home of King George II of Great Britain.
During the Civil War, the citizens of Brunswick were ordered to evacuate and the city was all but abandoned. As with many cities in the South, Brunswick suffered from post-war depression. When one of the nation’s largest lumber mills began operation on nearby St. Simons Island, economic prosperity returned. Rail lines were constructed to inland Georgia, helping Brunswick to experience an unusual economic boom during the Reconstruction period.