A day in St. Simons

One of my favorite nearby places to visit is St. Simons Island, GA.  Only one and a half hours north of Jacksonville, St. Simon's Island is like stepping back into time in the deep south.  The island is rich in beauty as well as history.  I'm not sure which one of these characteristics about the island draws me more, the beauty or the history, but I love them both.    

A few years ago I read Eugenia Price's historical fiction trilogy that she wrote about St. Simon's Island and some of it's prominent figures of the past.  I found myself feeling such a connection with the characters in her novels.  I felt as if they were my friends, even though they lived on the island over two hundred years ago.  James Gould, Horace Gould, Ana Gould Dodge and Anson Dodge all played important roles in shaping the history of St. Simons.  I couldn't wait to go back and retrace their steps and reacquaint myself with the island they all called home.

A friend of mine asked if I would like to take a day to practice photography.  We each enjoy the hobby.  When she asked if I had any suggestions as to where to go, I immediately thought of St. Simons.

 The light house, originally built by James Gould in 1808 was demolished by confederate soldiers during the civil war.  A new lighthouse was built next to the foundation of the original and completed in 1872, and still stands today.  The beautiful tower stands tall on the southwest corner of the island.

 

 

 

Jessica looks pretty relaxed for just climbing the 129 step spiral staircase to the top of the tower!  But it's worth it for the beautiful views.

Another amazing place we visited on the island was Christ's Church.  The Gould family was very instrumental in having the church built.  After the civil war, Christ's Church also had to be rebuilt.  Anson Dodge came to town and had a deep desire to not only rebuild the church, but to pastor it.  His heart was drawn toward the people of St. Simons and wanted to be their shepherd.  His dream became a reality, and the church he rebuilt and pastored still opens it's doors for worship every Sunday.

When you walk around to the back of the property you can't help but have an immediate solemnness come over you as you are greeted by the graves of these historical figures who made such an impact on their community.  Their lives made a difference. 

 

 

When you enter Christ Church, you can see the beautiful architecture that Anson Dodge designed and built over one hundred and forty years ago.  His eye for detail was impeccable.

 

 

The history and impact of religious leaders does not stop with Anson Dodge.  Preceding him by many years were the Wesley brothers, John and Charles.  Rumor has it, back before the church was ever built, they both preached on the property where the church now stands, underneath an old oak tree.  The tree is no longer there.  It fell a few years ago.  But the impact of the two brothers remains on the island today.

 

 

 

 

There is so much more to see on the island, but these three places were all we had time to explore on our one day visit.  Another day perhaps, we will go back and see what else the beautiful St. Simons has to teach us.