The Wild Beaches of the Golden Isles of Georgia

• Fort Frederica, built in 1736 by General James Edward Oglethorpe, offers historical reenactments, old time crafts demonstrations, and a variety of educational programs. One of the most famous battles General Oglethorpe and his troops fought took place on July 7, 1742, when a seriously outnumbered force of British troops defended Georgia against a Spanish invasion at a site located near the fort. This is known as the Battle of Bloody Marsh. At this famous battle site, the British troops defeated the Spanish invaders and kept them from attacking the nearby fort, thus driving them back into Florida. For more information call 912-638-3639 or visit http://www.nps.gov/fofr.

Christ Church is noted for its esteemed guest preachers, John and Charles Wesley, who first preached and held church services for colonial Americans here in 1736. Christ Church is also the site of one of St. Simons' best known ghost stories. Legend has it that years ago there was an island woman who was terribly afraid of the dark and always slept with a lighted candle by her bed. Upon her death she was buried at Christ's Church. Her husband, who couldn't stand the thought of leaving her in her grave all alone in the dark when she had been so terrified of the dark during her lifetime, began placing a lighted candle on her tombstone. This became a ritual he continued for many years until he too, passed away. Surprisingly though, locals claimed that even after his death the flickering candle did not cease. It has been reported by many witnesses that have passed by, or driven by slowly with their lights dimmed, that they could still see the flickering candle among the headstones!

Tours of Christ Church are offered daily for anyone interested in visiting this historic and charming old church with its exquisite stained-glass windows. Not far from Christ Church, you'll find Epworth-by-the-Sea, now a Methodist conference center located on the site of the Hamilton Plantation. A museum there is open to the public. For more information call 912-638-8688.

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