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160 GEORGIA AND GEORGIANS
Colonial Wars in memory of the great victory -won over the
Spaniards on this spot July 7, 1742. Georgia's Landmarks,
Memorials and Legends, L. L. Knight, Vol. II.
FOKT FKEDBRICA : 1735.—On the west side of St. Simon's Island, at a point which,
commands the entrance to the Altamaha Biver. stands an ancient pile, the origin of
•which can be traced to the days of Oglethorpe. It is the oldest of Georgia's historic
ruins. Some of the very guns which were used to expel the Spaniards may be seen
upon its moss-covered ramparts; and not only the earliest but the bravest memories
of Colonial times cluster about its dismantled walls. Except for the part which it
played in cheeking the haughty arrogance of Madrid, an. altogether different sequel
might have been given to the subsequent history of North America, for here it was
that the Castilian power in the Western Hemisphere was for the first time challenged
and the march of Spain toward the North halted by an overwhelming victory for the
English Colonies.
Only some twelve miles distant from the beach, an automobile brings the visitor
in less than half an hour to the picturesque old ruin and puts him in touch with the
romantic life of two centuries ago.
RUINS OF FORT FREDEKICA
The road to Prederica winds through splendid forests of live-oak, weirdly and
gloomily draped with pendant mosses. It skirts the historic battle ground of Bloody
Marsh, passes underneath the famous Wesley oak, and commands a view of Christ
Church, within the sacred precincts of which there are a number of tombs wherein
repose the dust of the old planters, whose elegant homes and fertile acres have long
since been abandoned.
If the visitor prefers he can make the trip to Frederiea by water.
But time has spared only the barest remnant of the ancient citadel which saved
the continent of North America from Spanish domination. Only the walls of the
old fort have been spared. Not a vestige of the town survives. Says one who has
often visited the historic spot*: " It is a shame to think how the blocks of tabby
were carted away to build the lighthouse and the negro quarters, so that nothing
remains of the old town of Frederica. I remember when a child seeing a house on
the ruins of the old battery and I~ can recall how I peeped down with awe at the
magazine below. If our patriotic societies had been earlier founded how much might
have been saved from vandal hands. But we are thankful to save even this remnant,
* Mrs. J. J. Wilder, of Savannah, President of the Georgia Society of Colonial
Dames of America.