St. Marys, Georgia

St. Marys is a small city situated along the southern boundary of Camden County in the US State of Georgia. The city offers many lovely places and outdoor activities for the people visiting it. The community is home to the St. Marys Submarine Museum and the Crooked River State Park and hosts the annual St. Marys Rock Shrimp Festival. St. Marys is also known for its beautiful beaches, Dungeness and Fernandina Beach, which are accessible to the public and are relatively close to downtown St Marys.

Geography And Climate Of St. Marys

St. Marys is situated on Georgia's southernmost tip, directly across the St. Marys River from Florida's Amelia Island. St. Marys cover a total area of 64.5 sq. km, of which 58.3 sq. km is occupied by land and 6.2 sq. km is covered by water. As per the Koppen Climate Classification, St. Marys experiences a humid subtropical climate. The summers are long, hot, and largely cloudy, while the winters are short, cool, and partly cloudy, and it is wet year-round. The average yearly temperature ranges from 45 to 91 degrees Fahrenheit, rarely falling below 31 or rising over 96 degrees Fahrenheit. In St. Marys, July is the hottest month, having an average high of 91°F and a low of 74°F. On the other hand, January is the year's coldest month, with an average low temperature of 45°F and a high temperature of 64°F. 

Brief History Of St. Marys

As a part of the Spanish Florida settlement, St. Marys was first explored in the mid-16th century. In 1566, the original Spanish settlement was established, making it the United States' second oldest continuously inhabited settlement that was founded by the Europeans. On November 20, 1787, a charter for the town of St. Marys was signed by the native residents of Camden County, and the city was incorporated in November 1802. The Battle of Fort Peter took place close to the town during the War of 1812, which eventually resulted in the capturing of the town by the British forces. The shoreside buildings of the town were heavily bombarded by the United States Navy during the American Civil War.  

The Population And Economy Of St Marys

As per the latest US Census, St. Marys has a population of 18,256 inhabitants. Of this population, 50% were male, and 50% were female. In terms of age distribution, 8% were under five years old, 24.5% were under 18 years old, and 14.3% were over 65 years old. Regarding the population’s ethnicity, 76.7% were white, 13.7% were black or African American, 7.6% were Hispanic or Latin, 1.4% were Asian, and 1.8% identified as two or more races. According to the same census, 52.1% of St Mary’s population aged 16 years and older were in the civilian labor force (47.1% female), and 16.4% were living in poverty. The median household income (2016-2020) was $66,033, and the per capita income in the past 12 months was $30,818.

Attractions In St Marys

Cumberland Island National Seashore

Cumberland Island National Seashore is a wilderness area located in St. Marys. Here, there are several undeveloped beaches and places of historical interest, as well as protected habitat areas for a variety of animals and plants. Visitors may enjoy the seashore but should be aware that bathrooms and access to drinking water are available primarily on the southern end.

Plum Orchard Mansion

Built in 1898, the Plum Orchard Mansion is a 22,000-square-foot mansion located on Cumberland Island. Constructed by Lucy Carnegie, it is a beautiful sight for the eyes. However, the mansion is not available for visits all year long as it closes for managed hunts in the area.

Crooked River State Park

Probably one of the city's most visited spots, Crooked River State Park is a 500-acre park located on St Mary's southern banks. Built in 1825, it is a place where people can enjoy a hike while seeing various animals, including gopher tortoises, fiddler crabs, herons, and other birds. 

St Marys, Georgia, has various historical and outdoor attractions for tourists to explore. It remains a special place to visit throughout all touristic seasons, as it has a beautiful beach that one can enjoy in the summer and wonderful mansions and museums that can be visited in any month of the year.