About St. Marys the Gateway to Cumberland Island

St. Marys is known to be the second oldest continuously inhabited City in the United States. The earliest settlement was initiated by wealthy sugar planter of Santo Domingo around 1520.

It is officially mentioned by 1787 and was incorporated in 1801. Its history is dominated by the "St.Marys River" and it was known as an important port for Timber, Shipbuilding, & Fishing.

In the Downtown area the buildings of a bygone era are beautifully preserved, and the river bank is lined with a gorgeous park.

It is also the only port with a Ferry-service to Cumberland-Island, the biggest of Georgia's barrier Islands that in the past has attracted the Carnegie family to chose it as one of their residental areas. Remnants of their presence are preserved in Ruins and now "Wild horses."