St. Marys, Georgia: Home Of The First Pecan Trees In The Usa

St. Marys, GA is the second oldest community in Continental US. The oldest is in Arizona. In 1562 Jean Ribault, a French Huguenot, sailed into the St Mary&25263; River. A Spanish Mission was established, but nothing remains of the early establishment. The area was read more permanently restablished around 1765. The Timucuan Indians, many of them over six feet tall, inhabited the area. They were semi-agricultural and had an elaborate system of government. Their diet also included copious amounts of oysters. Their tribe no longer exists. Drawings, however, were made of them and can be seen at The Timucuan National Historical and Ecological Preserve in Jacksonville, Florida.

Some of the interesting sights include, the Submarine Museum (Kings Bay Submarine based, home of the Trident Class Sub is located nearby), Orange Hall (Built for the first minister of the Presbyterian Church. It is more than twice the size of the church), and the Oak Grove Cemetery (c. 1780). All are in short walking distance from each other

Worthy of a subnote in history, St. Marys is the home of the first pecan trees in Continental United States. Pecan nuts were found floating at sea and then planted in the city. The nuts produced by these trees were taken to distant points in the Eastern US. They were famous, even before the Texas pecans became popular.

The streets are tree lined and lined with beautiful homes. Walking them is a real pleasure.

St. Marys is also the embarkation port for Cumberland National Seashore, home to a herd of wild horses and the ruins of Dungeness, the estate of Thomas Carnegie. Other estates of the Carnegie family are also on the island, one of which, the Greyfield Inn, operates as a B & B. Most of the island, however, is a vast wilderness limited to only three hundred visitors a day.