GUIDE to Camden County A publication of the Tribune & Georgian in partnership with Camden County Chamber of Commerce 2019/2020 Care You Can Trust in Your Community Southeast Georgia Health System is changing the health care landscape of our community for the better. Offering a wide array of quality health care services close to home is part of our ongoing commitment to bringing comfort and convenience to you, our neighbor. Southeast Georgia Physician Associates:* Camden General Surgery Obstetrics & Gynecology 912-576-6340 912-540-6750 Camden Pediatrics Pulmonary Medicine 912-673-8000 912-540-6740 Camden Primary Care Radiation Oncology 912-882-6767 912-576-6320 Ear, Nose & Throat Urology 912-466-7280 912-265-1300 Gastroenterology Summit Sports Medicine & 912-576-6434 Orthopaedic Surgery Hematology & Oncology 912-576-6355 912-466-5506 To find a provider that fits your health care needs or for more information about Southeast Georgia Health System medical staff, please call 855-ASK-SGHS (275-7447). *Strategic affiliates of Southeast Georgia Health System. © 2019 SGHS Come stay with us! KINGSLAND, GEORGIA 912-510-0202 [email protected] • FREE WiFi CUMBERLAND • FREE Breakfast Inn & Suites • Weekly Rates • Full Kitchens 912-882-6250 74506 bwcis g19 ͻŽŶǀĞŶƟŽŶ^ƉĂĐĞ Guide to Camden County 2019/2020 3 ‘Keep it in Camden’ makes us stronger ur community has revenuesr and breeds greater amazing potential benefitsb than the initial Othat has yet to be amounta spent. “Keep it in tapped. Our chamber is an CCamden” is about purpose- underutilized resource that ffully dedicating your dollars can be your catalyst for con- tto your neighbors and local necting to our community, ffriends in exchange for local businesses and advo- llocal goods and services. cating for resources locally, As chair of the Camden regionally and in Atlanta. CCounty Chamber of Com- “Will the Circle be mmerce, I encourage your Unbroken” was a song sung uuse of this guide and con- by Johnny Cash and many nnecting with our chamber others. It asks about how the family will to keep the “circle unbroken” and create be complete after losing their mother. a healthier local economy. We are seeing Community and economic development much new construction and earth moving This year’s cover photo, captured by Lindsey King of Asheville, N.C., won Best requires a full circle of stakeholders who after several years of economic drought. In Show in the 2019 Friends of Crooked will form a complete circle and keep it As we build a brighter Camden County, River State Park amateur photo contest. whole to foster alliances with one another I encourage all consumers and business- and create best practices that benefit all. es to support one another and meet our A more professional way of recognizing “better world a-waiting” as we advocate INSIDE the “circle” power of harmony and col- together to build and strengthen a busi- laboration is by examining the “multiplier ness centered environment that meets the effect,” an economic term that supports needs of Camden’s homes and families. County snapshot ........................... 6 the philosophy of the Camden County Camden County ............................. 7 Chamber of Commerce. The multiplier Martin Turner effect occurs when increased or focused Chairman, Camden County Chamber of Commerce ..................11 spending produces an increase in local Chamber of Commerce Economic development ...............17 Kingsland ......................................21 Guide is annual newspaper publication St. Marys .....................................24 Woodbine .................................... 27 he annual Guide to locall resource that helps Camden County citizensc and visitors plug Education ..................................... 29 Ttells the story of ini to Camden County Medical services .........................33 this unique and diverse anda its cities of St. Marys, Kings Bay NSB .............................35 community and we hope KingslandK and Woodbine. it captures many of the TheT Chamber plays a key Cumberland Island .......................39 elements that are treasured roler in advancing the key Crooked River State Park ...........43 by those who live here. initiativesi that move our Sports and recreation .................45 Telling the community’s communityc forward and story is an ongoing pursuit makem it an inviting place to Annual events ..............................56 for the Tribune & Georgian, livel or operate a business. Tips for new residents ...............57 which has provided We also are thankful Museums ..................................... 58 news and advertising to thatt our advertisers, without Camden County readers for more than whom we could not produce this award- Post offices, libraries ................ 59 125 years. Our newspaper is published winning guide, recognize the importance Extension service ........................60 every Thursday and is available by U.S. to telling Camden County’s story and Visitor information ......................61 mail to subscribers or at retail locations support this annual guide. throughout the county. Together, we are invested in our Restaurant directory ...................62 The Tribune & Georgian also reports community’s success and making sure Elected officials ..........................66 the news between print editions through that we continue to make progress for the County history ............................ 67 its website at www.tribune-georgian.com betterment of all citizens. We invite you to and through its social media platforms. join us! Accommodations ......................... 72 Partnering with the local Chamber Religious listings ........................73 of Commerce on the Guide to Camden Jill Helton, Editor/Publisher Business directory ...................... 75 County each year makes good sense Tribune & Georgian because the Chamber is also a vital 4 Guide to Camden County 2019/2020 Cumberland Gas, Inc. has been family owned and operated on Georgia’s First Coast since 1956. In 2004, Cumberland Home & Hearth was opened and quickly established itself as a leader in appliances, fireplaces, grills and outdoor kitchen/fireplace products. Propane Gas Delivery Fireplace Installs Gas Appliance Service Propane Tanks & Gas Lines 71966 chh G17 (912) 729-5882 | 780 E King Ave, Kingsland Great Mortgage Rates ... and so much more! Full Service Mortgage Broker: s͕&,͕h^ĂŶĚŽŶǀĞŶƟŽŶĂů>ŽĂŶƐ WƌŝŵĂƌLJ͕^ĞĐŽŶĚĂƌLJĂŶĚ/ŶǀĞƐƚŵĞŶƚWƌŽƉĞƌƟĞƐ ƵLJŽƌZĞĮŶĂŶĐĞ͊ Call now to pre-qualify: 912-882-7660 Genesis 87-A Hawthorn Lane St. Marys, GA 31558 Mortgage, Inc. [email protected] 71787 gm sutrib 17 NMLS #168494 GA License #15801 Guide to Camden County 2019/2020 5 Camden County, GA Population 53,677 613 square miles Atlantic seaports Port of Fernandina (30 miles south) Port of Jacksonville (38 miles south) Port of Brunswick (44 miles north) Port of Savannah (114 miles north) Airport Jacksonville International Airport Rail access St. Marys Railroad First Coast Railroad All CSX trains moving north-south to and from Florida pass within minutes of Camden Major highways Interstate 95 (28 miles through Camden) Interstate 10 (30 miles from Camden) Interstate 16 (80 miles from Camden) Interstate 75 (100 miles from Camden) U.S. Highway 17 (Coastal Highway) State Route 40 (East-West through Camden) Education Camden County Schools Small private schools for pre-K-12 College of Coastal Georgia satellite campus Coastal Pines Technical College satellite Valdosta State University satellite Points of interest Cumberland Island National Seashore Crooked River State Park Kings Bay Naval Submarine Base Medical facilities Southeast Georgia Health System, Camden Campus St. Marys Senior Care Center SGHS Cancer Center Amenities Camden Community Recreation Center St. Marys Senior Center Two public libraries and one historical archive Museums Three public 18-hole golf courses 6 Guide to Camden County 2019/2020 ongtime county resident and for- mer county commissioner Chip Welcome to LKeene knows exactly what keeps him in Camden. “I like being close to the water, and Camden County is a great place for that,” he said. “I’m from here. I like the people Camden here. I like the climate, even if it does get a A county steeped in little hot sometimes.” history looks toward There’s been a member of Keene’s fam- a bright future ily in Camden County since 1945 when his grandparents bought property on the County north end. Keene remembers visiting them and seeing virtually nothing along the road from Kingsland to St. Marys, an area well-populated with homes and businesses. “To me, that’s one of the biggest differ- ences here,” Keene said. One of Georgia’s eight original counties, Camden is now home to a population of more than 53,000 people with 8,000-plus military and civilian employees at Kings Bay Naval Submarine Base and 613 square miles of pine and hardwood forest, rivers and marshes. The area’s mild climate, scenic views, high-quality school system and small-town atmosphere despite its commercial growth make the county an exceptional place to raise a family. Add that to the area’s mild climate and scenic environment and it’s easy to see why so many choose to call Camden County home. There is plenty to do in Camden — family activities, day trips and events are all in abundance here. Active drama, music and art groups engage audiences and participants in the arts and regional culture. The Guale Historical Society, the Bryan-Lang Historical Archives and two regional libraries offer abundant research potential and programs