As one of the 13 original colonies, Georgia has a rich history to share. It all began in 1733 when British politician James Oglethorpe and over 100 colonists unboarded a ship named the Anne near what is now Savannah, the state's first city. King George II had approved the colony's charter a year before as a place for tax debtors and the poor to have a chance at a new life. Today, Georgia loves to honor its history, and you'll find hundreds of historical sites to explore from forts to old mansions.
Among those who arrived on the Anne was Nobel Jones, a humble carpenter. Jones would go on to serve the colony in many ways from Royal Councilor and surveyor and Indian agent to doctor and constable. But first, he would build his estate. Today the estate is known as Wormesloe Plantation, a tabby ruin at the end of an avenue of live oaks that is Savannah's oldest standing structure. Jones's descendants maintained the estate until the state took over in 1973. Visitors can tour the ruins and see unearthed artifacts in a museum and interact with interpreters dressed in colonial costumes.
South of Savannah you can visit Fort King George, the oldest remaining English fort on the coast. The fort was the British Empire's southern outpost in America between 1721 and 1736. It consisted of a blockhouse, barracks, and palisaded earthen fort. Defenders of the fort endured incredible hardships, and it was abandoned in 1736. Old records and drawings were used to reconstruct the fort near what is now Darien, Georgia, and it's open for public tours.
More than a century would pass when Georgia once again had to defend its territory, this time from the Union itself. Located south of Savannah by the Ogeechee River, Fort McCallister was attacked seven times before falling in 1864 when Union soldiers burned Atlanta and then went on the destructive "March to the Sea." The area is now a beautiful park nestled among palms trees, palmettos, and live oaks. Visitors can explore barracks, Palisades, a hot shot furnace, cannons, and a Civil War museum.
Fortunately, all was not destroyed during General Sherman's rampage through Georgia. You'll still find lovely antebellum homes built throughout the state when cotton was king. One of the most noteworthy is The Marsh House of LaFayette in the upstate. Union soldiers occupied the house during the war leaving behind blood-soaked floors and hoof prints. Today the house is a museum and events venue owned by the county's Historical Society. They sponsor several special tours throughout the year including a Heritage Day Festival and Christmas Candlelight Tours. Stroll the lovely grounds and admire the 19th-century furnishings.
You don't have to be a history buff to enjoy Georgia's old forts, museums, and mansions since parks and hiking trails surround many. Our Lawn Love service is now in Georgia to help you take advantage of all that the state has to offer. Leave your lawn care to us and plan some weekend getaways. Use our free mobile app or handy website to schedule everything from lawn mowing to tree trimming and more. Just type in your zip code to get started. You can schedule services with the right professional and at the right budget for you. Leave messages, special requests, or reschedule when needed. We make it easy to leave your lawn cares behind and explore Georgia's fascinating history.
