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 B lockhouse 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.
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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