Fort Frederica (Glynn County, Georgia)

On my long drive home from Cumberland Island, I decided to stop at and explore the ruins of an old English fort. Fort Frederica was built for the sole purpose to protect English interests in the new world from the Spanish in Florida. It's about a twenty-mile detour, but I think it will be worth it. 

Once I arrive, I grab a map and begin walking around what is now a National Monument preserving the former community and military installation. Not much remains, but archaeologists have uncovered quite a lot about daily life in the town community, which was constructed mostly of tabby in the mid-1730's. The basic layout is a grid, of which street signs have been erected to give a since of the areas former organization. Excavated foundations line the roads at evenly-spaced intervals and informational signs indicate what each building is thought to have been (blacksmith, baker, candle-maker, etc.). 

Approaching the shoreline, the remains of the King's Magazine stand as a the first line of defense against approaching invaders. A battery of canons were originally here and have been returned to greet unwelcome visitors by sea. In conjunction with the fort wall that surrounded the entire community, this must have been a pretty secure location from to safeguard the waterways to Savannah. In 1742, it did just that as a battle was waged by the Spanish to take the surrounding lands. The fort held and the invaders repelled. It's amazing to be able to walk among the ruins of such a place.