Locate It: Darien

Circa 1813-1815. The Adam Strain Building is a stuccoed tabby two-store warehouse and the oldest commercial building in Darien.

The Altamaha Water Trail offers 138 miles of trail, originating near Lumber City at the confluence of the Oconee and Ocmulgee Rivers and emptying into the Atlantic Ocean near Darien.

The 17-mile Altamaha Scenic Byway passes Fort King George, Butler Island, the Darien waterfront, sweeping marsh views, and majestic Live Oaks draped with Spanish Moss and ends at the Sapelo Visitor Center.

The Altamaha Waterfowl Management Area at Altamaha WMA consists of 3,154 acres of managed waterfowl impoundments and some 27,000 acres of bottomland hardwoods and cypress-tupelo swamps. The property offers hunting opportunities for deer, turkey, small game, waterfowl, and dove.

The Ashantilly Center, known as ‘Old Tabby,’ was the mainland home of Thomas Spalding, early Georgia planter, legislator, and McIntosh County landowner. The Center hosts cultural and historic events and workshops.

The Billy Cullens Memorial Nature Trail and Observation Towers give birdwatchers and other outdoor enthusiasts an opportunity to observe wetland-dependent wildlife in the managed impoudments of Butler Island Refuge.

Take exit 49 south on GA Highway 251 for 1.2 miles to US Highway 17. Turn right (south) 0.9 miles to GA Highway 99. Turn left (north) 4.4 miles to Blue-N-Hall Park sign on right. Turn right; follow road to one single-lane boat ramp.

One of the largest rice plantations in the South was the Butler Island Plantation. The site is now owned by The Nature Conservancy, and the land (excluding the house) is open to the public for picnicking, fishing and birding.

This converted shrimp boat, now a kayak mothership, is equipped to take you anywhere adventure calls.

The Columbus Square historical marker reads: ‘Near this point the Darien and Western Railroad reached its terminus in 1895 after six years of construction. Trains arrived daily at Columbus Square then [returned] to Tattnall County.

The building now used as Darien’s City Hall was built as an armory in the 1870s. It later served as a fire house, police station, community house, and is now City Hall.

Darien Waterfront is where visitors can view the Altamaha River and our graceful fleet of shrimp boats which have made us famous. Within walking distance are boutiques, shops, restaurants, and offices.

The City of Darien, established in 1736, has a broad collection of historic sites composing a enjoyable walk through the downtown area. You can pick up a printed guide to the self-guided tour at the Chamber of Commerce.

Site of Darien’s annual Blessing of the Fleet on the Darien River, a pavilion and dock border the park and are great for fishing. A playground and picnic tables shaded with cabbage palms and live oaks provide views of the river.

The First African Baptist church in Darien was erected in 1868, but replaces a replica of the 1834 church that once stood on the same site.

The First Presbyterian Church of Darien is considered to be the first Presbyterian congregation in Georgia, founded in January 1736 by Scottish Highlanders from Inverness, Scotland. The current building was built in 1900.

This is the oldest English fort remaining on Georgia’s coast. From 1721 until 1736, Fort King George was the southern outpost of the British Empire in North America. This site is on the Colonial Coast Birding Trail.

I-95 exit 49 at Darien

Located on the second level of the Art Center, The Old Jail Museum is FREE to visitors and open during regular Art Center hours.

Group camping only; Accessible only by ferry. Guided tours highlight the African-American community of Hog Hammock, Reynolds Mansion, Nanny Goat Beach, University of Georgia Marine Institute and a restored 1820 lighthouse.

In 1867, Charles Spalding, son of Thomas Spalding, gave to Saint Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Darien the land surrounding the family plot, to be used perpetually as a cemetery.

Completed and consecrated in 1879 and one of the most photographed buildings in Darien, St. Andrew’s looks out on Vernon Square.

Circa 1870s St. Cyprian’s Episcopal Church was built by former slaves. It is believed to be one of the largest tabby structures still in use in Georgia.

Located in north McIntosh County, this little sanctuary has become a stop for thousands of I-95 and US Highway 17 travelers.

1806. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Square follows the concept of early town planning.