4.2 Cultural Resource Survey
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4.0 Cultural Resources 4.2 Cultural Resource Survey 4.1 Cultural Resource Overview Cultural Resources Mainland Glynn County is unusually rich in cultural resources. The county has a long and storied history and an impressive Brunswick Altamaha Canal catalog of historic buildings and sites that tell its story. Protection and promotion of Glynn County’s cultural The extension of canals and railroads by private resources will be an important feature of the Comprehensive investors with state sanction was a common Plan. practice in the early 19th century. A canal connecting the Altamaha River to the Brunswick The cultural resources of Glynn County play multiple roles harbor was first proposed in the 1820’s, and in the overall planning effort. These resources help to support for canal ventures grew with the successful define an identity for Glynn County, and contribute to completion of the Erie Canal in 1825. Starting in defining Glynn County’s particular sense of place. Building 1826, the first of several ventures was begun to upon awareness of Glynn County’s history – as a colonial build this canal with grants of incorporation from fort, as a lighthouse location, as a former location where the State of Georgia to various private organizers. plantation owners and enslaved peoples lived through the There were at least four different attempts to form evolving history of the South, and as a place of retreat and a corporation and construct the canal, none of entrepreneurship – will help define the path to Glynn which met with great success. Attempts to build County’s future. the canal were undermined by corruption, labor disputes, and engineering and environmental A Historic Resource Survey report for Glynn County was challenges. The greatest progress on building the completed in May 1996 by Quatrefoil Consulting. The canal was probably made by Thomas Butler King, survey was both broad and detailed and covered the large who took over promotion of the canal in 1834. He majority of resources in Glynn County that may be eligible interested a series of Boston investors and for listing with the National Register. Properties in the City delegated the construction of the canal to Edward of Brunswick were not included in the Survey. The Survey Hammond, who began construction in 1836. With contains a historic overview of the county, an architectural substantial construction of the canal complete, the analysis of potentially eligible historic buildings including plans were abandoned during a financial crisis in architecture style, type, and historic integrity, and a listing 1839. On a second attempt, the investors David & of properties that may be eligible for historic nomination. Brooks succeeded in completing the canal on June Selected historic resources are described and their locations 1, 1854, but the canal soon needed repairs and indicated. The Survey also recommends certain historic never became a commercial success. Later resources for nomination to the National Register, focusing attempts were made to re-establish the canal in on those properties with the most historic significance and 1866 and in 1891, but neither were successful. the greatest degree of historic integrity. The recommendations for individual properties and districts are the following: ARCO Historic District Elizafield Plantation Ruins Brunswick-Altamaha Canal South End Historic District Harrington Historic District St. Simons Village Historic District Cannon’s Point/Couper Plantation Ruins Sea Island Historic District Glynn County – Cultural Resources 31 Hofwyl-Broadfield Plantation Historic Site City of Brunswick This was the site of a major rice plantation, owned by Old Town Brunswick William Brailsford, along the marshes adjacent to the Altamaha River. Brailsford came down from Charleston in The Brunswick Old Town Historic District is the 1807 and carved out a rice plantation from the cypress site of the original planned town of Brunswick. swamps. Brailsford and his son-in-law, James M. Troup, Originally, Brunswick was established and planned expanded their landholdings until they reached a peak of in its current pattern of streets and squares by the 7,300 acres before the Civil War. After the Civil War, British colonial authority in Georgia, though it was several factors contributed to the decline of rice farming not substantially developed until the 19th century. including the loss of access to slave labor. With determined The British foundation of the city is reflected in the efforts, the family continued to grow rice at this plantation street names, which come from various British until 1913. Afterwards, this site changed into a dairy. royalty of the time. Brunswick contains an outstanding collection of late 19th century The plantation preserves the physical character of the rice residential and public buildings. Also of note are plantation that was once there and enlists the use of the hexagonal stone tiles which were originally interpretive exhibits on the lives of both plantation owners used to pave the sidewalks. and slaves during the antebellum period. Antique furniture and heirlooms represent the physical culture of the Glynn County Courthouse plantation era. The historic Glynn County Courthouse was Currently this site is owned by the State of Georgia and constructed in 1906 in the Neoclassical Revival operated as a state park, with a museum and a number of style under the designs of C.A. Gifford and E.S. preserved historic buildings, as well as ruins from the rice Betts. This courthouse replaced an older cultivation era. courthouse that was damaged in the hurricane of 1896. The historic Glynn County Courthouse was Elizafield/Boys Estate used for holding court until 1991. Located on Highway 99 in north Glynn County, Elizafield Currently the Courthouse hosts offices for the was the name of a rich River Plantation on the Altamaha Board of Commissioners, the Administration, and River dating back to the early 19th century. At first, it was the County Attorney. Commission Chambers on the home of Dr. Robert Grant, and then later it was passed the second floor serve as the meeting location for to his son, Hugh Fraser Grant. Elizafield Plantation was the Board, the Planning Commission, and other cultivated for rice and sugar cane, and the ruins of a large groups. sugar mill built are visible on the site. Other ruins on the site include those of two plantation buildings and cemeteries Mary Ross Waterfront Park – Liberty Ships for the Grant family and their slaves. In 1935, Cator Woolford gave this tract to Georgia for a State Park, and in Brunswick was the site of the construction of the 1945 it was made available by the Legislature for the Liberty Ships used to haul cargo for the United establishment of Boys’ Estate. States during World War II. The J.A. Jones Construction Company oversaw the construction of Boys' Estate was the vision of a group of local men who 99 Liberty ships, over 440 feet in length, during the wanted to set up a home and school for disadvantaged boys. height of the war mobilization period. The Among the leaders who helped to set up Boys Estate were J. employees received a commendation from the crew Ardell Nation, Richard W. Peters Jr., Clarence Dubs, J.M. of the U.S.S. Pompon for continuing work during Rozier and T.G. Myers. After the passing of Mr. Nation, in Christmas Day with no compensation to support the 1980's the facility was operated by a group from the war effort. A 23-foot scale replica of a Liberty Savannah. Currently the site is run by Morningstar Baptist Ship is displayed on the grounds of the Mary Ross Treatment Services, and it is still used for the treatment of Waterfront Park in downtown Brunswick. emotionally and mentally disturbed adolescents. Glynn County – Cultural Resources 33 Old City Hall Jekyll Island Old City Hall was designed by Alfred Eichberg and completed in an Richardson Romanesque/Queen Anne style Jekyll Island National Historic Landmark District in 1889. It is notable for its wealth of period detail including granite exterior, pine flooring, fireplaces, and Jekyll Island’s claim to fame is based on its gaslight fixtures. Currently it is used as a part-time city selection and establishment as a resort for courthouse and an event facility open to the public. America’s elite starting in 1886. Some of the wealthy families who wintered on the Island Ritz Theatre include the Rockefellers, Vanderbilts, Goulds, Astors, Morgans, and Goodyears. The private The Ritz Theatre was originally constructed in 1898 to resort they established became known as the Jekyll house a theatre, accompanying shops, and offices. Later, Island Club, and was perhaps the most exclusive the Ritz became a venue for vaudeville and motion pictures private club in the nation. As a result of the in the 1930’s. The City of Brunswick purchased the business and political elite who came to the Island, building in 1980. Since 1989, the building has gradually a number of important events and decisions were been rehabilitated to reflect its original Victorian roots made there, including the first transcontinental revealing its brick detailing, transoms, and glasswork. public telephone conversation. In 1947, the State Today, the Ritz houses the Golden Isles Arts & Humanities of Georgia purchased the Island to make it open to Association, which oversees a regular series of performing the public. The former grounds of the 240 acre arts. club are now part of one of the largest historic restoration projects in the Southeastern US. Selden Park – Selden Normal & Industrial Institute St. Simons Island Selden Park, near the banks of the Turtle River, is built on the former site of The Selden Normal & Industrial Institute. Christ Church The Institute was considered one of the finest black educational facilities of its time. The institute was Christ Church was established by state charter in conceived of by Rev.