About Fort King George State Historic Site
Fort King George State Historic Site, located on the Altamaha River in Georgia, is the oldest English fort remaining on the state’s coast. Originally built between 1721 and 1727 as the southernmost outpost of the British Empire in North America, the site features reconstructed 18th-century structures including a cypress blockhouse, officers’ quarters, barracks, a guardhouse, moat, and palisades. The fort was garrisoned by His Majesty’s Independent Company, who endured disease, hostile threats, and harsh conditions before its abandonment. In 1736, General James Oglethorpe established the settlement of Darien nearby, which later became a major lumber export center.
A museum and film interpret the history of the Guale Indians, the Santo Domingo de Talaje Mission, the fort’s military role, the Scottish settlers of Darien, and 19th-century sawmilling. Visible remains include the foundations of three sawmills and tabby ruins. Leashed pets are permitted on historic site trails but not inside buildings.