Fort
King
George

From its construction in 1721 until it was abandoned in 1732, Fort King George was the southern outpost of the British Empire in North America. Named for King George I of England, the fort was a typical small European field fort consisting of a triangular earthwork-walled enclosure. Surrounded by a moat on two sides and the north branch of the Altamaha River on the third, the fort's main defense was a 26-foot square blockhouse. A log palisade stood in the moat to deter enemy soldiers and Indians from storming the fort from the land side.

The gabled blockhouse had three stories: a powder, ammunition and supply storage room on the lower level, a gun room on the second floor with cannon ports in the walls for firing on enemy boats attacking by river, and a third floor used as a lookout post. Several palmetto-thatched huts, a barracks and an officers' house also stood within the fort.

The blockhouse at Fort King George is a duplicate of the original structure. The 40-foot-high gabled building was reconstructed in 1988 using plans still in the files of the British Public Records office in London. Future plans call for reconstruction of the barracks and other small structures. Long after the fort was abandoned, sawmills were erected on the site, eliminating traces of the fortifications.

Adjoining the fort is one of the oldest British military cemeteries in the southeastern United States. The cemetery contains 65 graves including 17 marked as the final resting place of British soldiers serving at Fort King George.

 

FORT KING GEORGE
STATE HISTORIC SITE
1997 SPECIAL EVENTS SCHEDULE

SPRING ENCAMPMENT
April 4 & 5
Friday 10-4 p.m.
Saturday 11-5 p..m.

A living history portrayal of early 18th century life at Ft. King George on the frontier that was to become Georgia. Demonstrations will be ongoing through the day: musket firings, drilling, cannon firings, tomahawk throwing, domestic skills, children's games, cooking, dyeing, candlemaking, and more. On Saturday, the encampment will be highlighted by a battle between the British and the Spanish. Reenactors from all over the southeast will be participating in the special event portraying Ft. King George soldiers, Independant Companies, Spanish Garrison soldiers, Rangers, and Native Americans. The program Friday will be set aside for school groups that make advanced reservations.

"Altamaha Legacy" April l8 12 noon

A presentation depicting the timber and sawmilling period (1865-1925) as it relates to the Altamaha River focusing on Darien and the Lower Bluff Mill. Site re-enactors in period dress will demonstrate timber squaring and the variety of tools ytilized by raft hands to prepare their logs for the mills.

CANNONS ACROSS THE MARSH
July 4
11-4 p.m.

Celebrate the Fourth by visiting Ft. King George and observe the firing of 18th century artillery pieces. Visitors can learn of the 19th century artillery drill and the skills that were involved. Demonstrations will be given on the hour. Refresh yourself after the program with a cool piece of complimentary watermelon.

GUALE: THE SPANISH ENCOUNTER
August 23 & 24
Saturday 11-4 p.m.
Sunday 2-4 p.m.

The 1655 mission province of Guale represented a 17th century Indian society that had formed under Spanish colonization on the Georgia Coast. On Saturday, Native American demonstrations will be presented highlighting this time period as well as other aspects of the southeastern Indian culture on the Georgia Coast. On Sunday, there will be special symposium featuring scholars who will discuss the Spanish missions of the Georgia Coast including the Santo Domingo de Talaje mission located on the site of Ft. King George. Seating will be limited so reservations will be required.

THE FORT BY CANDLELIGHT
October 18
7 p.m. until

Experience Ft. King George in a different light, candlelight (18th century electricity). Candlelight tours of the site and the blockhouse will begin around twilight. Different periods of the site's past will be presented along the tour. The evening may be cool so a sweater may be appropriate. Visit the site and experience a truly unique evening.

DRUMS ALONG THE ALTAMAHA
(FKG FALL ENCAMPMENT)
November 7 & 8
Friday 10-4 p.m.
Saturday 11-5 p.m.

In the Fall of 1721, Col. John Barnwell's men completed the first British outpost on the southern frontier. Thus, Britain now claimed this land that was once occupied by Spain, while the French threatened from the west. The British needed a buffer zone between these strong foreign powers and the Carolinas. This early 18th century international struggle will be commemorated when reenactors from all over the southeast gather at Ft. King George. Musket drills, cannon drills, Native American demonstrations, domestic skills, traders of 18th century wares and a BATTLE at 2 p.m. highlight the day's activities. The Friday program will be set aside for school groups that make advanced reservations.

The site presents tours, musket demos, and cannon demos on Memorial Day, Labor Day and Veteran's Day from 11-4 p.m., weather and volunteers permitting.

For more information or group reservations please call 912-437-4770.
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