Archive for the ‘St. Simons Island History’ Category

Explore the Golden Isle of St. Simons

Tuesday, February 21st, 2012

A great article by Carolyn Burns Bass posted in Greer’s OC about The King and Prince Resort and what to see and do on St. Simons Island.

Explore the Golden Isle of St. Simons

01.20.12

Review by Carolyn Burns Bass

It’s not hard to understand why this stretch of the Georgia coast is known as the Golden Isles. Miles of marsh grass wave in the breeze, carved by streams, rivers, and inlets to form a jigsaw puzzle of islands. The sun rises like a glittering coin over the Atlantic and blankets the marshlands in gold and amber as it sets over the isles. Poised on the mouth of the sound leading up to the bustling port city of Brunswick, is St. Simons Island, the largest of Georgia’s Golden Isles.

The Spanish named the island and the sound after a Catholic saint during 16th century exploration of the Southeastern coastline. You can see Spanish influences throughout the region, including the architecture. Mediterranean arches, turrets, clay tiles and stucco make haunting backdrops for the Spanish moss dripping off the massive trees overarching the buildings and lining the streets and lanes. The island has maintained its quaint seaside charm through decades of development in the islands and cities surrounding this wild island treasure.

The King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort

The jewel of this golden isle is the King and Prince Beach and Golf Resort. Perched on the white sandy shore near the mouth of St. Simons Sound, this historic hotel offers panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean and the coastline stretching north and south. Built in 1935 as a private dance club for the well-heeled of the area, it added lodging to its original structure in 1941 and opened to the public as a hotel. There was nothing as magnificent as The King and Prince anywhere along the Southeast coast when it was built and even today it rises above many of the cookie-cutter resorts now dotting the coast and the Isles.

A spacious, bright and airy lobby greets you from the main entry of the King and Prince. You can see the Mediterranean design in the arches that line the coastal stretch of the lobby interior. Natural wood bannisters, trim and ceiling beams encasing dark embossed tin tiles add warmth to the lobby’s light interior. Just beyond the reception desk is a fountain, surrounded by palms, lush greenery and flowers, and an indoor pool and whirlpool (one of five pools located throughout the resort).

Guests at the King and Prince have a deluxe array of choices in room types to meet budget or family needs. Oceanfront rooms in the historic building are only steps from the beach, with spacious bathrooms and separate sitting areas. Luxury amenities such as in-room Keurig coffee stations, Bath & Body Works toiletries, and large flat screen televisions are standard in every room. Stretching beyond the historic main building are the Beach Villas. These roomy accommodations offer two- or three-bedroom apartment size villas with master bedrooms, full kitchens, dining areas and private patios or balconies.

Stepping up the game in privacy and luxury at the King and Prince are the Residences, which comprise of six individual houses spread throughout the resort to include quaint beach cottages and even executive-level houses with ample meeting and entertaining areas (with as many as five bedrooms!).

Scenic and Challenging Golf

Competing with beach and ocean activities on St. Simons Island are the resort’s tennis courts, pools and golf course. While the formal name of the King and Prince includes “golf resort,” the greens are actually a bit of a drive to the northern-most end of the island. Known as the Hampton Club, this golf course shuttles hotel guests straught to the course for a day of golf among the salt marshes, swampy lagoons, towering palmettos and grand oaks draped with Spanish moss.

The course was renovated in 2009 with renewal in turf and design enhancements to the original 18-hole, 72-par design. Four of the holes sit upon individual marsh islands accessible by elevated cart bridges, making for challenging play. Practice areas include a driving range, putting green and a chipping green, and golfers can grab lunch or post game cocktails in the roomy clubhouse. You can take a virtual flyover of the entire course from the resort’s website for an overview of this distinctive course.

Georgia Coastal Cuisine at its Finest

Director of food and beverage, Vinny D’Agostino, revitalized the King and Prince’s food culture when he joined the staff in May 2011. A master sommelier and culinary arts graduate from Johnson and Wales University, D’Agostino brought more than two decades of creative culinary experience from some of the nation’s top hotels and restaurants. Food was the centerpiece of D’Agostino’s large Italian family, inspiring his passion for taste, texture and temptation, and it shows in everything he prepares or directs. Be sure to try D’Agostino’s signature shrimp and grits, made with Georgia’s wild white shrimp and Tasso ham in a spicy cream sauce that wraps the tongue in savory delight.

The King and Prince is renowned throughout the Golden Isles for its Friday night seafood buffet and its sumptuous Sunday brunch. Set in the resort’s Delegal room, the Friday night seafood buffet features various preparations of the region’s distinctive wild white shrimp, plus platters of crab legs, chilled and steamed; oysters, both fried and on the half-shell; clams and mussels, along with entrees of salmon, catfish, tilapia, sole, grouper and other chef selections. Sunday brunch includes an omelet bar, plus a wide variety of southern comfort foods such as grits, plain, creamy with cheese, or spiced to delight with shrimp; smoked BBQ ribs; buttermilk fried chicken; succulent pot roast and gravy, crispy fried catfish and plenty of other chef surprises.

The Delegal room itself is a thing of beauty. Commanding the eye is the view of the Atlantic from the windows lining the oceanfront wall. Set above the oceanfront windows and around the entire room are eleven spectacular stained glass windows depicting the history of St. Simons island.

Additional dining choices at the King and Prince include the King’s Tavern set in the hotel’s turret lined with oceanfront windows for stunning ocean views, the Atrium Café where snacks and refreshments, along with barista-prepared coffees and teas are served, plus the seasonal (March through October) Paradise Beach Bar and Grill located beachside with casual fare and cocktail service.

More to Do and See On St. Simons

Guests not getting enough exercise running or strolling along the beach, bicycling through town, or browsing through the myriad shops on St. Simons, have free access to treadmills, ellipticals, free weights, and exercise balls in the fitness facility next to the tennis courts.

Set only steps away from the beach guests may rejuvenate body and soul in the Royal Treatment Cottage, an intimate retreat house with a full menu of massage therapies. Lunch can be ordered from the concierge and enjoyed in the quiet of the cottage.

Out and about in St. Simons you’ll find boutiques and souvenir stores, coffeehouses and cafes, candy stores and cocktail happy hours. You can rent a bicycle at Ocean Motion (walking distance from the King and Prince) and pedal around the Island’s 21 miles winding bike paths.

Hop on the Lighthouse Trolley for a guided tour of St. Simons island. The trolley can take you from the Coast Guard station, now a Maritime Museum with history of the island–including its fascinating mission as a coast watching and training facility during WWII–to the working lighthouse; to the picturesque Christ Church, the first English church in Georgia; around town and through the moss-lined lanes from the north end to the south. If you’re lucky to get Cap Fielding as your trolley guide, you’re in for a treat with his arcane knowledge of the region’s colorful history.

On the Water Excitement

Travelers seeking new experiences can get thrills and chills from a shrimping trip on the waters off St. Simons island on The Lady Jane, a former working shrimp boat now USCG certified to carry passengers. The Lady Jane, run by Captain Larry Credle, is an educational and tourism expedition not to be missed.

Guests board The Lady Jane in nearby Brunswick, then head into the waters of St. Simons Sound. Once clear of the marshes, Captain Credle drops his shrimp net and trawls until he figures he’s got a good catch. The net drips with surprise when lifted, then released on the ship’s sorting deck. All hands aboard have a chance to sort the treasures in the net, the jewel of the catch being the wild white Georgia shrimp. It’s not unusual for the net to bring up stingrays, puffer fish, several varieties of flounder, shrimp and crab—including the distinctive horseshoe crabs–plus beautiful whelks. A naturalist on board identifies the different fish in the catch, including the occasional catch of a loggerhead sea turtle. When turtles are caught, they are weighed, measured, and photographed, then released. The details are sent to the Georgia Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.

Everything but the wild white shrimp is released back into the sea. While cruising back to harbor on The Lady Jane, a shipmate cleans and shells the shrimp, then serves it fresh on a platter with homemade cocktail sauce and lemon. Seafood doesn’t get fresher than this.

Getting to St. Simons Island

St. Simons Island is easily accessible from international airports at Savannah/Hilton Head to the north and Jacksonville to the south, while Delta brings in three flights a day to nearby Brunswick Golden Isles Airport.

The King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort, 201 Arnold Rd., St. Simons Island, GA 31522, 912-638-3631, www.kingandprince.com.

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TibbettsTravel: King and Prince

Tuesday, January 3rd, 2012

Read below to see Christine Tibbetts’ article from TibbettsTravel about exploring St. Simons and activities and The King and Prince Resort & Golf Course.

King and Prince: A forward-looking resort with history on St. Simons Island

Sunday, December 11, 2011

By Christine Tibbetts

ST. SIMONS, Georgia — Elegance and longevity. Fresh new cuisine wrapping around 76 years of resort history on a barrier island that began forming 200 million years ago.

Grand combination for a holiday at the King and Prince beach and golf resort on St. Simons Island.

Some pleasant places are only fancy; this one has depth too, and neighbors who stay. Here’s how that translates to tourists.

Long-time pleasures keep on happening but change filters in, everything hand-in-hand on this handsome property and throughout the barrier island.

For example: the King and Prince has long served peach cobbler for breakfast. Tradition continues. Now they’re also squeezing juice from their courtyard grapefruit trees for a Prohibition cocktail reflecting one of their historic eras.

Seven decades of menus and history with more in the making.

Well-balanced spirits are only one passion of the new King and Prince cuisine director. Fresh Georgia foods are too, and wines from near and far.

Vinny D’Agostino is his name, steeped in the flavors of his Italian family and schooled at Johnson and Wales College of Culinary Arts in Providence, Rhode Island and North Miami.

A member of the Court of Master Sommeliers, D’Agostino holds a string of accolades from Bon Appetit and Food and Wine magazines for restaurants and bars he’s owned and operated.

Wild Georgia shrimp join many King and Prince menu items including this low country boil accented with olive branches from Georgia Olive Farms in Lakeland

He speaks as easily of his time as a youth on family farms and vineyards in Fornelli, Italy as he does now about the wonders of wild Georgia shrimp.

“Food and drink,” D’Agostino says, “are tied to the history of place in so many significant ways.  Our menus reflect that, and our chefs incorporate their Island family histories along with their professional training.”

Fine eating happens often, at the resort and around the island. In between meals, I listened to local stories on the Lighthouse Trolley, first-person tales since the owner/driver Cap Fendig hails from a family arriving here in the 1800s.

When I’m getting local history from someone whose granddaughter goes to the same elementary school he did, plus his grandfather, I feel grounded.

St. Simons Island is a different experience from resorts with passing-through, seasonal workers.

This bit of the Georgia coast has more residents than visitors:  65 percent full time, Fendig said.

Everyone I talked to loves the tidal marshes, maritime forests, freshwater sloughs and the spartina sugar cane grasses that make local shrimp sweet. They gather at Neptune Park, which visitors do too, so mixing it up is an easy pleasure.

There’s a pier for fishing and gazing and a smooth brick walkway hugging the water, leading to the lighthouse. Talk to Curt Smith; he’s the modern executive version of a light station keeper and an enthusiastic St. Simons Island historian.

Picnic tables and trees galore make Neptune Park a lingering place; for $7.00 get an all-day pass to the big swimming pool.

I walked the bricks twice after way too much breakfast at Sandcastle Café. 

Tidal marshes are incubators for so many species that this Georgia coast is one of the 20 most diverse in the world.

That where Tim and Melissa Wellford have been serving legendary eggs, muffins, grits with or without shrimp, French toast, sausage, bacon and more for 24 years.

 
This is yet another St. Simons Island kind of place to share good conversation with residents.
 

Local people seem honored to live on a barrier island; Fendig says only two percent of the world’s coasts have barrier islands. Made me feel like a new frontier explorer.

Georgia has 15 barrier islands; four are auto accessible. Good idea to be OK with bridges when you go. 1924 was the first year St. Simons was connected by a causeway to the mainland.

Short and wide is the nature of these islands; North Carolina’s Outer Banks are long and ribbon-like.

Curious facts like that are easy to pick up at the Coast Guard Maritime Museum, a handsome Colonial Revival style structure, one of 80 built as WPA projects.

Definitely watch the documentary to understand the territory; National Geographic says this coast is one of the 20 most diverse in the world.  Museum exhibits are clear and clean, not too much reading, good graphics.

The Coast Guard Station turned Maritime Center features clear, concise, handsome exhibits, about St. Simons Island ecosystems and history.

One section pinpoints a different kind of amazing history: World War II right off this coast. German subs targeting the beaches. Two oil tankers sank.  Dogs trained as defense partners for sentry guards.

Then return to the King and Prince with a different eye knowing today’s elegant pale yellow resort became a radar training school.

The hotel opened to the public July 2, 1941 and in the winter of 1942 was reserved solely for the U.S. Navy and the war effort.

This was the gathering place for families learning their sailor had died because nearby Jacksonville, Fla. was the military point of return.

Looking up in the former ballroom to stained glass window scenes installed in 1938 when this was a private club, and looking out to the Atlantic Ocean, I mused about that war effort, and ours today.

King and Prince staff seem well versed in that history, and proud to be part of a place that sacrificed for the nation. My musing? Who is sharing any thing or any place today? Only our troops?

Travel takes my heart and soul to new places. Then the opportunity is

Shrimp and grits recipe at the King and Prince: long tradition using local wild Georgia shrimp.

mine to act on the thoughts the journeys trigger.

Lighter thoughts swirled in the ballroom too, wishing the King and Prince would reinstitute dancing dominant there decades ago.

My New Jersey parents waltzed often at the nearby Cloister Hotel on Sea Island but I found a gentler, more personable charm at the King and Prince.

Elegance to enjoy, exquisite details shared with pleasure seem the formula here. Bud St. Pierre has directed the sales and marketing for 10 years, happy he and his wife are raising young sons on this barrier island.

“We hire nice people here,” he said with almost a giggle. And I observed hotel and resort staff treating each other like they thought so too.

Many choices at the King and Prince for where to rest starting with oceanfront suites, villas, towers and rooms with balconies overlooking the tennis courts.

G.W. and I stayed in the luxurious Tabby House, a separate structure with space to share and a kitchen; could have brought some of the family.

The Meadows is also a stand-alone house, this one rich with fine and folk art and lots of levels and stairways.

Allow sufficient time when you reserve accommodations to savor the options.

Allow time, too, to explore the tidal waters on the Lady Jane. She’s an eco boat, gathering detailed information to provide the Department of Natural Resources.
 
Up came the 20-foot-wide net and into a waist high table went the contents

"I never met a blue crab that wasn't angry," says Clifford Credle, naturalist on the Lady Jane shrimp boat in waters near Brunswick.

twice on my morning cruise.

Look fast because back into the water is the mission, tallying life and returning to nature.

Exceptional catches require measuring, like the green sea turtle weighing 30 pounds that surprised Clifford Credle, my 18-year-old eco guide who started learning the estuary life when he was nine with his dad Larry who captains this vessel.

Wild Georgia shrimp caught in this net don’t go back to sea; they’re cooked five minutes later and served to Lady Jane passengers.

A King and Prince holiday merges easily with St. Simons Island discoveries, not always the case with resort vacations. Sometimes they lock you in, or so it feels. Isolated.

I think I figured out the difference. King and Prince personnel really live on this island. I kept seeing them in community places as well as the hotel and grounds.

Even food and beverage director Vinny. Saw him, chowing down on ribs and Brunswick stew at Southern Soul BBQ.  Good sign I thought, the pile of local oak in the front yard. Separate smokers for each kind of meat.

Four holes on the Hampton Club course involve the marshes, carefully constructed and monitored to respect and preserve this ecosystem.

I’m no golfer but the King and Prince’s Hampton Club gave me hope.  Most encouraging lesson I’ve ever had was with General Manager and Head Pro Rick Mattox.

He just received a major PGA award for outstanding integrity, charity, mentoring and service to community.  Golfers would recognize the Bill Strabaugh award name.

For real golfers, this course features four holes playing through the marsh, built and maintained with strict regulations, Mattox says. Marsh golf is not to be found anywhere else.

Wannabe golfers like me have a good chance of being allowed to borrow a cart in the late afternoon and experience the beauty of greens and marsh.  The view stretches forever.

Driving to the Hampton Club offers a chance to see island ecosystems, and to visit at least three historic sites: Fort Frederica, Christ Church and the Wesley Memorial and Gardens.

 

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Time for Good Food

Thursday, December 29th, 2011

Rachel writes in her blog, “Time for Good Food,” about her trip to St. Simons and all the sites she saw and food she ate at The King and Prince.

Monday, November 14, 2011

Inspired by St. Simon’s Island

 
A week ago today I was at St. Simon’s Island, Georgia taking in the beautiful scenery and stuffing my belly with delicious food. Magical sounds cliché, but it really was an amazing trip that I won’t soon forget. I was invited by The King and Prince Resort and their publicist Leigh Cort, along with other journalists and bloggers from around the country, to be a part of a media trip focused on Southern culinary traditions. My friend Nikiwas also one of the journalists, so we rode down together.For someone like me who is enamored with history, food and the idea of eating locally and sustainably, it was sheer heaven. I learned so much, tasted so much and am so inspired, this is going to have to be several posts. Maybe a trilogy? You’ll see what I mean in a minute.

Christ Church - the most visited attraction on St. Simons Island

 
I vaguely remember spending a day sightseeing on St. Simon’s Island as a child. One memory that stands out is visiting the moss draped Christ Church and its cemetery. I was excited to get to see it again all these years later. The parish was founded in 1736, though the current church building dates to 1884. A walk through Christ Church’s cemetery inspired prolific Georgia writer, Eugenia Price, to pen her first historical novel The Beloved Invader. The book brought to life the church’s rector Anson Dodge, Jr. and led to additional books, New Moon Rising and Lighthouse – known as the St. Simon’s Trilogy. Interestingly, Price stayed at The King and Prince in 1961 when she discovered the island that would define her career as a writer. Tourists still come to St. Simon’s today inspired by her books. Who knows, maybe I’ll be inspired to write a historical novel, but for now I’ll settle on a trilogy of blog posts. This first: an overview rich with photos.

The exterior of The King and Prince's historic hotel building.

The King and Prince was built in 1935 and is the only oceanfront hotel on the island. I think that’s what sets St. Simon’s apart from other tourist destinations. It doesn’t feel touristy. You won’t find the high-rise condominiums and tacky beach stores. It’s quiet, laid back, upscale in some ways, but unassuming.Naturally, it’s a popular destination for weddings and romantic getaways. However, I’m totally inspired to take my family back there.

A wedding photo shoot I happened to catch out the window.

The beach is great, but there are also miles and miles of golden marshlands that are especially beautiful at sunset. Growing abundantly in the marshlands and estuaries is Spartina, the golden hued grass that gives St. Simon’s Island and other nearby barrier islands their nickname, “The Golden Isles.”

Marshlands at dusk.

And there’s the Lighthouse. And the cute village with shops and restaurants. And the waterfront park. And the Maritime Museum that is housed in a former Coast Guard Station.

Oceanfront park with St. Simons Lighthouse in the background.Maritime Center and Museum

 
I could go on and on, but I know you are probably wondering: what about the food? This is a food blog after all! Most of our meals were served at The King and Prince under the direction of its Food and Beverage Director, Vinny D’Agostino. While on staff for just a short while, D’Agostino is making great strides in bringing local farmers and food artisans ”to the table” to enhance the dining program at the resort. Honestly, going in to this I was not expecting the food to be that great. I’ve had some pretty bland, uninspiring hotel food in the past — but I have to say that the food I tasted at the King and Prince was really delicious. The shrimp and grits, I swear, may have been the best I ever tasted. I’m going to attempt to make them at home and share the recipe with you in the next post in my trilogy!

Shrimp and Grits made highlighted with Tasso ham, fresh corn and tomato.

One afternoon we had the pleasure of meeting food growers and artisans from around the state and sampling their fare. The most exciting thing I tasted was the first pressing of olive oil made from Georgia-grown olives thanks to Georgia Olive Farms. It’s so new that it isn’t even on the market yet. We also tasted cheese from Flat Creek Lodge, muscadine wine from Still Pond Vineyards, 13th Colony Distillery liquors, chocolates from Sugar Marsh Cottage, Wild Georgia Shrimp, Savannah Bee Company honey and peach products from Lane Southern Orchards — to name a few. I’ll definitely share more with you. Remember, my trilogy?

Georgia made products we tasted.

On our final day at the King and Prince, we ate breakfast in the elegant Delegal Room — once the ballroom of the old resort. I imagined how many dances, weddings, receptions and important events must have taken place in this stained glass adorned room with sweeping ocean views. I doctored this photo up a bit to look “old,” much like the actual historic photos that lined the lobby hallway and are featured in each guest room. It makes me feel happy.

Pretending it's 1951

I love places with a sense of history, natural beauty and authentic Southern charm. You will definitely find that at The King and Prince and on St. Simon’s Island. Now, time for a short disclaimer: The King and Prince provided me with a complimentary stay and meals, but did not pay me to write this or endorse the resort in any way. By being a gracious host, showing me the island and sharing the spotlight with other local businesses and attractions, they made me fall in love. I’ll definitely be back!

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St Simons Island Vacation – Vanderford’s Travels

Friday, July 29th, 2011
Bill Vanderford published this article on Lakeside News after his spring St Simons Island vacation that including historic tours, boating, dining at local restaurants and a stay at The King and Prince.

Vanderford’s Travels

By Bill Vanderford

St. Simons Island is a golden Georgia treasure

Standing on the wall of Fort Frederica scanning the river and the marshes  beyond was serious business around 1740. The British soldiers on guard

Ft Frederica

Canons at Fort Frederica

knew that the Spanish-held Fort St. Simons was only five miles away and were painfully aware that war had been declared with Spain. Eventually these English soldiers realized that they would have to fight for their lives on St. Simons Island.

Even though the British were far outnumbered, good intelligence, a timely ambush, and some skillful maneuvering of ships and men by James

Fort Frederica Monument

Fort Frederica

Edward Oglethorpe made the Spanish believe that the British force was much larger. Therefore, after the historical, but small ambush, known as “The Battle of Bloody Marsh,” the Spanish retreated back to Florida and were never a threat to General Oglethorpe and his fledgling Georgia colony again.

Today, visitors to St. Simons Island can walk the open grounds of Fort Frederica and gaze across the picturesque “Marshes of Glynn” that were made famous by poet, Sidney Lanier (yes, the namesake of Lake Lanier), and never have to worry about being fired upon. This immaculate spot is simply one of many that attracts folks to St. Simons.

For nearly eight decades, families from all over the South have come to this gorgeous barrier island to enjoy the elegant atmosphere, mouthwatering

Ocean front Building

View from Oceanfront Building

food, and antebellum style hospitality at the King and Prince Hotel, which was built because of an insult. It seems that one evening in the early 1930s at the nearby Cloister Hotel on neighboring Sea Island, Frank Horn and Morgan Wynn were tossed out for being drunk and disorderly. Horn was a tall, heavy man, and Wynn was a short, skinny fellow, and when seen together, they were affectionately known as “The King and Prince.” So, because of the insult, the two founded the King and Prince as a seaside dance club to compete with the Cloister Hotel. The main hotel building with its classic Mediterranean architecture was completed and opened to the public just in time for World War II in 1941. During that period, the new hotel was converted into a training facility for coast watchers looking for German submarines.

Following the war, the King and Prince opened to families again in 1947 and has continued to serve as a prime vacation destination in the Golden Isles of Georgia. Renovations and expansions were completed in 1972 and 1983,

St Simons Island sunrise

Sunrise over a dock

and the hotel was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1996 as the King and Prince Beach and Golf Resort. It still offers a unique resort experience with real Southern flair, fantastic and varied cuisine, and spectacular ocean views from almost every room. For information or reservations, call toll-free at (800)-342-0212.

Marshes of Glynn St Simons Island

Beauty in the Marshes

Many golf lovers come to St. Simons to play the recently restored King and Prince Golf Course, which is the home of the Hampton Club. This 18-hole championship course is both challenging and beautifully interwoven with ancient oak trees, island holes, views of birds and wildlife in the surrounding marshes, and picturesque lagoons.

Fishing, birding, and wildlife viewing are always great outdoor endeavors

Fishing on St Simons Island

Fishing

when visiting St. Simons Island. This huge coastal ecosystem of salt marshes, tidal rivers and creeks is probably the best rearing ground for fish, sharks, and shellfish on the Atlantic seaboard of the USA. This little known fishery is best explored and experienced with an expert local guide like Larry Kennedy III out of Hampton Marina. Larry and his family have been fishing the waters productively as long as I can remember, and have entertained thousands of visitors to St. Simons. For more information or reservations, call 912-222-1687.

St Simons Charter Boats

Charter Boat

Fine dining and local seafood is another highlight of any trip to the Georgia barrier islands, and St. Simons has some of the best! Certainly the chefs at the King and Prince would be in the running in any food and drink contest, but my favorite would have to be Halyards and the culinary artistry of Chef Dave. Being a fisherman himself, Dave loves to have his friends bring by their “Catch of the Day” and allow him to create a succulent meal with his special touch. Both Bill and Cindy Acree told me of magical meals that they have enjoyed with Chef Dave during the Atlanta Braves off season when Bill wasn’t so busy as a Braves executive. For more information, contact Dave at www.halyardsrestaurant.com.

Another interesting, but quite casual eatery, is within easy walking distance

Christ Church St Simons Island

Christ Church

from the King and Prince Hotel. The Saltwater Cowboy is a swinging place with a young, female chef straight out of the Bayou country of Southern Mississippi. She has put together some unique offerings of steak and seafood with a different Cajun rendering. For information or reservations, call 912-634-2102.

Certainly more experiences are available on St. Simons Island including visits to the historic Christ Church, Fort Frederica, Epworth by the

St Simons Island Lighthouse

St. Simons Lighthouse

Sea, and the St. Simons Lighthouse. For me, however, the beaches, marshes, old oak trees, and the slow movement of time and tide take me back to simpler time in my youth when my family would visit this magical island during the summer break from school. Sure there are new businesses and different people, but the natural beauty where sea, sky, and shifting sands meet has a soothing effect that transcends all time.

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Sky Magazine July 2011 – Iconic Cities in the U.S.

Thursday, July 21st, 2011

The July 2011 issue of Delta’s Sky Magazine had a special section called “Americana Summer” featuring five iconic cities in the U.S.  St. Simons Island was one of destinations listed.  The King and Prince Resort was listed for accommodations.  To see the full special section and photos of The King and Prince and St. Simons click here: Sky Magazine July 2011.

St. Simons Island

This island off the coast of Georgia offers seaside splendor, historical intrigue and many opportunities to sit back and relax.

By Giannina Smith/ Photos By Chris M. Rogers

Just over the F.J. Torras Causeway towards St. Simons Island, a quaint Georgia beach town emerges that is uniquely different from many of the sandy retreats in nearby Florida.  The largest of the Golden Isles-which also include Jekyll Island, Little St. Simons Island and Sea Island- St. Simons was settled by English colonists in 1736 and later used for rice and cotton plantations.  It became a resort community in the 20th century, and the exodus from urban sprawl continues today, with stressed-out city dwellers looking to enjoy this unhurried, oceanside haven.

One of the island’s most noted historical attractions is Fort Frederica: Built in 1736, it was the center of defense for the English colony of Georgia.  Tour the archaeological ruins of the fort before taking a shady drive along The Avenue of the Oaks- once the entrance to an antebellum plantation, this picturesque location now lines the entrance of the exclusive Sea Island Golf Club.  For a bit more history, stop at Christ Church, a Gothic style structure hidden among the oaks that was the locale for Georgia author Eugenia Price’s novel The Beloved Invader.

Before heading to the center of activity in St. Simons’ pier village, trek up 129 steps to the top of the 1872 St. Simons Lighthouse to get a panoramic view of the coastline and nearby barrier islands.  Stroll along the waterfront to the island’s bustling pier and take a breather while watching chatty locals reel in buckets of crab and fish. 

If the sight of fresh seafood gets your stomach grumbling, head to Mallery Stree.  For a no-frills, home-cooked breakfast, the 4th of May Deli and Cafe offers everything from seafood omelets with local shrimp and crab to peanut butter-and-apple French toast.  Known for its crab cakes, Barbara Jean’s is another good spot for a casual lunch topped off by an indulgent “Chocolate Stuff” dessert.  For a more refined repast, book a table at Halyards, where the island cuisine and wine list earns foodie accolades, or at its sister restaurant Tramici, a local favorite for southern Italian cooked in a wood-burning oven.

After lunch, browse through the village shops, tee off at one of the island’s golf clubs or rent a bike from Ocean Motion Surf Co. to pedal along the island’s extensive system of paved trails.  To cover lots of ground without breaking a sweat, hop on a St. Simons Island Trolley Tour or rent a golf cart from High Tide Carts.  For water-lovers, a Southeast Adventure kayak trip will take you through the wildlife marshes, and a ride aboard the Lady Jane, a retired 49-passenger steel shrimping vessel, can take you farther out to sea.

After a busy day of activities, head back to your ocean-view room at the Ocean Lodge.  An elegand, old-world Europe-inspired bed-and-breakfast, this boutique property is nestled on a sleepy street just steps from the Atlantic.  Another stellar option:  a room at the histroic oceanfront King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort, opened in 1935, or at the quaint Village Inn and Pub, veiled under the live oaks between a park and the village center.  For impressive lodgings with a storied past, the properties of Sea Island- The Cloister and The Lodge-will not dissapoint.

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Kristi Casey Sanders’ Travel Article About St. Simons Island and Jekyll Island

Thursday, June 23rd, 2011

Kristi Casey Sanders writes about where to stay and things to do on St. Simons and Jekyll in Encore Atlanta. She mentions The King and Prince for its beach accommodations and resort golf course.

April 2011 Encore Life

Going coastal

Start your summer now on the ‘golden isles’ of Jekyll and St. Simons

By Kristi Casey Sanders

Spring is beautiful in Atlanta, with cherry blossoms and dogwood trees in bloom. And as spring clothes replace sweaters, it’s easy to yearn for full-on summer. That’s why so many spring breaks unfold on the beach. You can escape to a sandy wonderland where sunsets give way to moonlit surf, casual beach bars serve frosty drinks and fresh seafood, and kids can learn the fine art of avoiding sunburns while building sandcastles and riding Boogie boards.

Atlanta’s closest beaches are on the barrier islands off the Georgia coast. The four clustered around Brunswick are known as the “golden isles.” It’s a five-hour drive or a 60-minute flight via Delta Connection, which has three daily nonstop flights to Brunswick Golden Isles Airport.

There are exclusive resorts (Sea Island) and serene eco-retreats (Little St. Simons), but if you desire a family friendly spot affordable enough to become a yearly tradition, St. Simons and Jekyll islands are the best options.

St. Simons Island

There’s an anecdotal story told about the Timacuan Indians, who lived here under Spanish rule for almost 200 years. They finally rebelled, it is said, because the Catholic priests insisted the men take only one wife. Whether that’s true, you still get the feeling that these island inhabitants would rebel if someone tried to stop them from having a good time.

For more than 75 years, the center of the island’s social life has been the King and Prince Beach and Golf Resort (800-342-0212), which began as an open-air oceanfront dance pavilion. The hotel grew up around the pavilion — now the Delegal Dining Room. It’s next to the King’s Tavern, a legendary watering hole added to the property in the 1980s. Accommodations range from traditional hotel rooms and multi-bedroom condo units with full kitchens to private homes with rooftop patios. Guests can rent bikes or kayaks, ride horseback on the beach, or learn how to play tennis, shoot sporting clays or fish.

Golf is a big deal here, and the King and Prince Course (912-634-0255) is quite scenic. Wild marsh grass cuts the field of play between the tee box and fairway on one hole, golf cart paths are elevated over marshland, wild birds soar overhead and gators nap inches from the greens under oak trees. The Sea Palms Golf & Tennis Resort (800-841-6268) offers guests three courses and suite-style accommodations, three clay tennis courts, three swimming pools and an array of family friendly activities.

The Lighthouse Trolley (912-638-3333) is a fun way to learn about the island’s history. It is owned by Cap Fendig, a local character and sometime politician, whose family has been here since the 1800s. You can take a narrated tour or hop on and off the trolley at scheduled stops. At Fort Frederica National Monument, you’ll see where Spanish and British troops clashed in 1742. Graves of their descendants are found in the historic graveyard surrounding Christ Church. The Maritime Center at the Historic Coast Guard Station has interactive, kid-friendly exhibits explaining the role the U.S. Coast Guard has played in the region before, during and since World War II. There’s also the famous St. Simons Island Lighthouse Museum (912-638-4666), where you can enjoy the best view in town. Fendig’s company offers dolphin tours, bird-watching trips and real-estate services — in case you need a permanent local address.

The Georgia coast is only 100 miles long, but it contains one-third of this country’s salt marshes, which replenish the Atlantic Ocean’s ecosystem. Learn about the barrier island’s marine life aboard the Lady Jane (912-265-5711). Piloted by Captain Credle, the vessel takes passengers into St. Simons Sound, where marine biologists sort shrimp from the other creatures caught in nets and explain what guests are seeing. The ship’s first mate serves up a shrimp boil as the boat heads back to the dock.

As you’ll learn on the Lady Jane, you’re not eating just any shrimp. The salt marsh grasses available to Wild Georgia Shrimp™ grazing here make them particularly sweet. Shrimping season begins between April and June and runs through December. And thanks to the large local sturgeon population, this region also is known for quality caviar, harvested in January and February and said to be superior to Russia’s.

St. Simons doesn’t lack for good restaurants. Saltwater Cowboy (912-634-2102) is a relaxed steak and seafood eatery with live entertainment near the King and Prince Resort. Further inland is Southern Soul Barbeque (912-638-SOUL), featuring award-winning Brunswick stew. If people-watching is high on your agenda, try breakfast or lunch in the village at the Sandcastle Café & Grill (912-638-8883), where you’ll rub elbows with police officers, politicos and other characters.

Jekyll Island

Legislation requires that at least 66 percent of Jekyll Island remain in its natural state. The island is part of Georgia’s park system, so there is a small fee for all cars ($5/day or $25/week). On the island’s east coast, where the beaches are, an ongoing revitalization project has added budget hotels and a 20-acre oceanfront park with picnic pavilions and wheelchair-friendly beach access points. New shopping and dining outlets are under construction, but old favorites like Blackbeard’s Restaurant (912-635-3522) offer hearty fare and spectacular ocean and sunset views.

The Intracoastal Waterway borders the island’s west coast. Dine waterfront in the Jekyll Island Marina at Sea Jay’s Waterfront Cafe & Pub (912-635-3200) and on the Jekyll Island Pier at sister restaurants Latitude 31 (dinner only) and the Rah Bar (912-635-3800), where live music plays three to four nights a week and oysters and shrimp are available by the pound.

The Jekyll Island Club Hotel (800-535-9547), at the heart of the island’s historic district, is a short walk from the pier. Built at the turn of the 20th century for vacationing millionaires, the club was described in a 1904 edition of Munsey’s Magazine as “the richest, most exclusive, most inaccessible club in the world.” After Georgia bought Jekyll Island in 1947, the club became a luxury hotel. Several of the surrounding millionaires’ “cottages” are now gift shops, restaurants, event facilities and atmospheric accommodations for small groups.

The resort can help you explore what life was like for the millionaires of the Gilded Age through a walking tour of the historic district. Learn how the Federal Reserve System was planned by a select group of bankers and politicians at the Jekyll Island Club Hotel. See the island by bicycle or on horseback. Play croquet or sign up for a geocaching game for a treasure hunt around Jekyll. Also available: dolphin cruises, kayak tours or visits to nearby Cumberland or Sapelo island.

Four golf courses on the island’s interior use natural sand barriers, inland lakes and pine forests to create challenging links-style play. The best course for multigenerational groups is Pine Lakes, which has family friendly tee boxes and winds its way through prime bird-watching territory. From Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend, a lazy river and waterslides beckon at the Summer Waves water park; the adjacent Tidelands Nature Center offers nature tours and watercraft rentals. Another prime attraction is the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, a rehabilitation, research and educational center that has special programs for kids.

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St. Simons Island – Patti Davis Blog Post #1

Thursday, May 19th, 2011

Patti Davis blogs about her travels to St. Simons Island in 4 parts on Anatomy of a Dinner Party.  She has numerous pictures and wonderful descriptons.  Here is part 1.

St. Simons Island – Mayberry By The Sea

Written by Patti on April 11th, 2011

Good Morning Darlings!

I would say that mine is a charmed life. That very fact was confirmed when I was invited to visit St. Simons Island for four days last week. In fact, it was so fantastic that I have deemed this to be St. Simons week on Anatomy of a Dinner Party!

 Arriving after the five hour drive from Atlanta, I entered the lobby of The King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort to the heady aroma of chlorine. Now that might sound funny to some, but to me that is the smell of childhood, of a spa, of…..an indoor pool right in the lobby! Just one of four pools the resort boasts.

I dropped my luggage in the room (oceanfront!) and donned my Wellies (it was a blustery day) for a trip on the island trolley with my 17 journalist companions for the next four days. Destination – The Coast Guard Maritime Museum.

 

The King and Prince Resort pools

View of my room

 

Saint Simons Island Trolley

Miss Leigh, our host and Mr. Dick, our trolley driver

 

St Simons Island Museum

Coast Guard Maritime Museum

I loved hearing the history of this marvelous building and loved touring it even more. There are films to watch, quizzes to take and relics to pore over. Mr. Curt Smith was a wonderful host and guide and just knows everything about this treasure.

 

Saint Simons Island Maritime Center

Mr. Curt Smith

 

Inside the St Simons Maritime Museum

Ollie, The Coastie and me

St. Simons gifts were starting to unfold. Next up was a trip back to the resort to freshen up and then time for a very special coastal dinner in the Solarium with Chef Paula and Chris Baker, Director of Food and Beverage.

My room was so beautiful. Appointed in all navy blues and buttery yellow, it immediately soothed me. The king size bed was whispering to me, but it was time for dinner. And you all know, dinner is going to win every time!

Oceanfront accommodations

My plush oceanfront room

In The Solarium, we were greeted again by our lovely host for the trip, Leigh Cort, Bud St. Pierre, Director of Sales and Marketing and Michael Johnson, General Manager. You might think that one in charge of such a stately resort would put on airs, but no. Bud, Michael, Angela, Chris and everyone else associated with the property were the warmest most genuine folks I have ever met. It was my delight to visit with each of them personally during my trip. I promise if you treat yourself to a visit to The King and Prince they will treat you with the same hospitality I so enjoyed.

On to the food! Chef Paula whipped up shrimp and grits in a demonstration as we sipped wine and asked questions. It was also a great time for my fellow writers and I to get to know one another. What started out as 17 strangers, turned into 17 friends before we would leave on Saturday.

 

The King's Tavern

My place at supper

  

Dining at The King and Prince Resort

New friends Chuck and Dena, from Tampa

Bud St. Pierre from The King and Prince

Bud, welcoming us all

Director of Food & Beverage at The King and Prince

Chris, Director of Food & Beverage, introducing Chef Paula

Chef Paula Murphy

Chef Paula Murphy. Love that Killer Smile!

Paula answered all our questions, and we had many! The dining room was filled with the most incredible scent as our gracious servers brought around a chopped caprese salad on bread and more wine was poured.

caprese salad

Chopped caprese salad on italian bread with melted mozzarella. Yum!

shrimp

Can't you just smell these fresh Georgia shrimp sizzling?

shrimp & grits

It was almost too pretty to dig into. I said almost! lol

Between the entree and the dessert, everyone got up to introduce themselves to the group and reveal their favorite travel destination. It was so much fun learning about my brand new friends.

I was at an advantage, having my friend and fellow Atlantan, Ava Roxanne, from My Skin Concierge on the trip with us. She answered a quiz about the resort and won a stay in the Tabby Cottage! We would later retire to her cottage with some bubbly and giggle the night away. But first, dessert.

And what a dessert it was! Oh my goodness. Promise me you will visit The King and Prince and order this. Peach cobbled topped with Praline Ice Cream. It will make you the happiest person on earth. Seriously. Have I ever lied to you? Of course not. Take a look.

Peach Cobbler

Peach cobbler topped with praline ice cream. You have got to try this!

What’s better than dessert? Sharing with a new friend!

Dining at The King and Prince Resort

Miss Leigh and I dig in!

Join me tomorrow for day 2! I’m hoping you will fall in love with St. Simons as much as I did.

xoxo, Patti
 
 

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Spotlight on The King and Prince

Monday, April 25th, 2011

 

 This article by Sheila Gaspers published on the Tango Diva Blog introuduces St. Simons Island and King and Prince with some history and description of the area.  She then provides information on The King and Prince Resort and its amenities.

Spotlight: The King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort – St. Simons Island, Georgia

April 13th, 2011 by Sheila

saint simons island lighthouse

Georgia welcomes thousands of visitors to its coast each year. The natural beauty and the rich history of its barrier islands, treasured living sanctuaries, are important to the Georgia Coast’s continued universal tourism appeal and year-round draw.

Georgia Coastal Marsh

St. Simons Island is counted among Georgia’s four barrier islands that are accessible by car. This important distinction combined with St. Simons proximity to Historic Savannah, Atlanta and North Florida, has moved the island up the ranks to a top pick position as a preferred Southeast vacation destination.

Pristine family friendly beaches, miles of hiking and biking trails, unique shopping and unlimited dining options, combined with the region’s cultural, historical and natural assets keep visitors coming back for more.

king and prince beach

Prior to World War II, the island’s tourism efforts suffered; St. Simons struggled to compete with the newly fashionable hot spots like Palm Beach. Moreover, the island culture was lacking – essentially too conservative to retain and attract visitors and new residents.

It was only when the island’s only private beach and dance club, changed hands and rose to new hospitality heights that positive change ensued. The King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort celebrating over 76 years of service this year, has been instrumental in shaping and defining the island experience. The resort has received countless awards. Recognized by the National Register of Historic Places and an active member of Historic Hotels of America, the resort is true to its rich historical roots. An illustrious past and a reputation for superior service, refined accommodations and savory cuisine have elevated the King and Prince Resort to a status well worthy of its title as ”the island’s most cherished retreat”.

Sweeping ocean views, spectacular sunsets, and quiet magical moments…are the norm at this beautiful seaside resort.

A welcomed change from the urban jungle, island life is slow and easy. Everything is within reach by bike or foot. Serenity reigns supreme. One learns quickly that all schedules adhere to island time.

The King & Prince Resort is committed to keeping guests happily engaged. Activities abound! There are five pools, a fitness center, jacuzzi, tennis courts and miles of oceanfront beach.

And, to the delight of many…there is Golf…and a Spa.

The newly renovated 18-hole PAR 72 Golf Course is located offsite just minutes away on the north end of the island. The King & Prince Golf Course at Hampton Club, designed by legendary architect Joe Lee is best known for its unparalleled scenic beauty – dramatic moss-draped oaks, vast salt marshes, lagoons and lakes that are woven throughout the green. The near $4 million facelift enhanced and expanded the course; a new irrigation system, a chipping green, fairway bunkers and a variety of quality grasses were among the upgrades. Avid Golfers can take a sneak peak by accessing the 3D animated fly-over tour online. Director of Sales, Bud St. Pierre is a huge fan of the new hi-tech tour – “It’s an in-depth virtual tour where one can see bridges, bunkers, shapes of the ponds, sprawling live oaks, expansive marsh views and more. It even includes a full course map, score card and vibrant photos.”

Resort Guest Rates start at $79 per person (includes green fees and half-cart)

Golf On St SimonsSpa on st simons island

The Spa, suitably named The Royal Treatment Cottage, operates out of a small converted 3 bedroom bungalow within the resort complex. Guests can enjoy massage treatments that span a variety of disciplines and techniques including Swedish, Deep Tissue, Aromatherapy and Reflexology. Services are limited at this time so book ahead.

Location: St. Simons Island – Georgia Coast. Easy access from I-95 (exits 29, 36 or 39). Less than 70 miles from Jacksonville International Airport and the Savannah Airport.

Rooms & Rates: 195 Guest Rooms. Rates are Seasonal. Range: $119-$1000

Contact Reservations for Special Package Savings.

There is an impressive selection to please even the most discerning travel diva – from modern to historic, standard room to oversized suite, and ocean to resort views. The resort also offers a 2 or 3 bedroom villa complete with a full kitchen, spacious living area, patio and/or balcony, as well as, a private building pool and hot tub. For those who desire ultimate luxury and privacy, you can choose from one of six unique residences.

Visit the resort’s website for full descriptions and floorplans.

oceanfront roomcabanas on st simons island

My top picks for the ultimate girlfriend getaway: (1) The Tabby House, a luxurious Mediterranean style retreat with wrap-around porches on two levels; (2) the Wesley Cottage, a quaint one-story/one bedroom beach bungalow with kitchen, living & dining room, pull out sleeper sofa, as well as, a private backyard surrounded by its very own white picket fence; (3) The Oleander Building’s Ocean View Room, offering quiet comfort with 2 queen beds and private balcony.

Standard In-Room Amenities: Telephone, Digital Clock, Hair Dryer, Coffee-Maker, Large Flat Screen TV, DVD/CD Player, Mini-fridge, quality bath toiletries, and complimentary Wi-Fi Access.

Restaurants & Bars: You don’t need to look beyond the resort grounds for the finest authentic Southern cuisine and the Georgia Coast’s freshest seafood. Think Wild Georgia Shrimp…and you are a goner from the moment you arrive!

From formal to casual settings, the resort offers some of the best dining on the island.

The Friday Night Seafood Buffet is legendary and should not be missed!

seafood buffet on st simons islandst simons island seafood restaurant

Hosted in a phenomenal historic setting, the resort’s oceanfront Delegal Room adorned with 11 stained glass window masterpieces depicting scenes of island history, this elaborate buffet dinner is an unforgettable sumptuous feast guaranteed to tantalize all your senses.

Do not dismay…satisfy those next day hunger pangs at the hotel’s Kings Tavern or outdoor Paradise Beach Bar & Grill.

Fresh, Healthy, Fresh and Delicious are on the menu 24/7!

The King and Prince Resort invites you to unwind in the sunshine and frolic in the ocean surf.

Relax, renew and revel in the simple pleasures of this Coastal Georgia gem.

Book your escape package today online or call: 800-342-0212

For all your Coastal Georgia travel planning needs, visit the Brunswick-Golden Isles Tourism website or call 800-933-COAST.

For “St. Simons Discovery” recommendations, please check my blog posts for insights – from fun outings to food – that will inspire and enhance your island adventure.

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Patricia Mack’s Gayot Guide Review

Monday, April 18th, 2011
Patricia Mack reviews her stay at The King and Prince in Gayot.

King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort, Georgia – Hotel Review

A 75-Year-Old Gem Just Off Georgia’s Coast

by Patricia Mack

georgia accommodations

An aerial view of The King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort

Peering through the balcony doors of an oceanfront room at the King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort, it is hard to keep in mind the rich and complex history of this locale. St. Simons Island, a barrier island just off Georgia’s coast, has seen political turmoil and conflict, and yet, looking out on the Atlantic’s breaking waves, how could one think of anything other than the panoramic vistas and glorious natural beauty?

Tides come and go, herons feed and sea breezes fill the air — this has been the backdrop for generations of guests who have stayed at the King and Prince, a 75-year-old gem of a resort, designated on the National Register of Historic Places and a member of Historic Hotels of America. Originally a private dance club, King and Prince served as the social center for the small community of residents and visitors to St. Simons; it has emerged in the 21st century as a modern resort that retains the Southern charm that made it famous. Modern updates include Wi-Fi-equipped guest rooms and the addition of a spa — The Royal Treatment Cottage — where mind and body can find repose via aromatherapy and reflexology. Among the high-tech touches, guests can enjoy a 3-D animated flyover of the resort’s golf course available on the Web.

Guest accommodations range from the Oceanfront Building, where rooms have either a terrace or private balcony, to the historic Main Building, with some tower rooms, cabana rooms and suites with Ocean Views, to the Oleander Building, a separate three-floor retreat just a short walk from the main hotel. The resort also offers two- and three-bedroom beach villas on the ocean. All are beautifully furnished with comfortable beds, sofas or chairs and dressers and armoires.

The health-conscious will appreciate the exercise room, tennis courts and five seaside pools including an indoor pool and a hot tub. While for those who simply enjoy a walk or a bike ride, there are paths along the beach. When the tide is out, the beach itself, with its hard-packed sand, attracts runners, joggers, bikers and strolling couples.

Oceanfront room view

An oceanfront pool

oceanfront room

A room with a view

The King and Prince Golf Course is just a few miles away on the northern tip of the island, offering a great golf exprience, with four spectacular island holes, in a beautiful setting — emerald fairways are nestled within ancient forests and a vast salt marsh.

There are three dining rooms at the hotel, all with oceanfront views, but the most notable is the Delegal Room with its stained glass murals and popular Friday night seafood buffet. Don’t miss the signature shrimp and grits with burgundy gravy, along with maybe a pitcher of white sangria, laden with fruit and perhaps some peach cobbler.

If you’re a history buff and can manage to pull yourself away from the dazzling sunsets and hypnotizing rhythms of the sea, there’s a storied past waiting to be uncovered. The hotel can help arrange tours or provide walking tour maps. Bicycle rental shops are located nearby. Guided trolley tours with often entertaining and always informative narrative provide an overview of this remarkable little island. There is also a museum highlighting St. Simons’ coastal heritage located at the base of the centuries-old St. Simons Island Lighthouse. For history fans, the Maritime Center at the old Coast Guard Station on East Beach is open daily with artifacts and photography from its days as an important training base as well as displays of the area’s ecological systems.

Christ Church, erected in 1884, marks the spot where John and Charles Wesley held services under the oak trees in 1736. Now, the second oldest Episcopal church in Georgia, it is also the third oldest in the country. It is perhaps the most lovely and pastoral of the many sites that make this island, and a stay at this hotel, so memorable.

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World War II Veterans Return to The King and Prince

Wednesday, February 9th, 2011

On Monday January 17th, the King and Prince Hotel was honored to have two gentlemen back as guests who both had not been here in decades.  One was Captain Carl Boyd from Falls Church, Virginia who retired as a Captain from the Navy after 33 years of honorable service.  Also accompanying Captain Boyd was Sgt. Charles Fiveash from Aiken, South Carolina.  Sgt. Fiveash grew up in Brunswick and has many fond memories of this area and the King and Prince Hotel even before World War II.   The King and Prince’s Vice President of Resort Operations, Michael Johnson and  Rooms Division Manager, Bob Speight sat down in their office with old photographs, original blueprints and memorabilia from the hotel that goes back to the 1930′s to have a walk down memory lane with Captain Boyd and Sgt. Fiveash.

St Simons Island History

World War II Vets at The King and Prince

 

Question:  Mr. Fiveash, what do you remember about the King and Prince in the late 30’s and early 40’s? 

I remember the King and Prince being such a sporty place.  To me and all my friends it was “top of the line”.  Everybody wanted to go to the King and Prince. We had a lot of the “big bands” stopping through on Saturday nights on their way up north.  We saw the Glenn Miller orchestra and Sammy Kaye just to name a few.  It was a wonderful time and everybody enjoyed dressing up then.  The King and Prince always had an audience.

Question: Captain Boyd, please tell us about your time here at the hotel during WWII. 

As you know, the Navy occupied the whole hotel during the war.  I was here for about nine months.  Mckinnon Field was used to store our aircraft and actual fighter planes were stationed there also.  I know that Brunswick’s shipyard was used for building the famous Liberty Ships which the Navy ended up making hundreds and hundreds of them. 

Question:  How long did it take at the Brunswick Shipyard to make a Liberty Ship?

Usually it would take about 3 weeks from start to finish to construct a Liberty Ship.

Question:  Captain Boyd, what was your job here during World War II?

I was part of a class that was stationed here to learn how to vector our aircraft to engage enemy aircraft.  Out of the class of about 70 only four were from the fleet and I was one of those four.  I was assigned to a destroyer/mine layer that was based in Charleston.

Air Traffic Control per se and radar technology were new back then and we were taught at the King and Prince how to guide our aircraft to intercept the enemy planes.

Question:  How did the Navy get their enlisted men to the King and Prince?

We caught a train into downtown Brunswick where there was a train station then and just caught a cab over to the King and Prince.  The causeway that connected the mainland to the island had several drawbridges if my memory serves me correctly.

Question:   With coming back for this trip, did you think the King and Prince had changed a lot with its original building? 

Of course the layout has basically stayed the same.  I remember a much smaller parking lot in the front.  {Captain Boyd} The officers had rooms that overlooked the ocean and the enlisted men faced the parking lot.  {Mr. Fiveash} I know the seawall was here before the war.  I do remember the terrazzo dance floor as you show me these pictures…………I even recognize a lot of their faces but cannot place their names.  There was no swimming pool but it was a place where everybody wanted to go.  It was a popular place among the locals. 

Question: Mr. Fiveash, you were raised here.  Do the names Frank Horn or Morgan Wynn ring a bell with you?

My father owned a trucking company and I remember making many deliveries with the name of Frank Horn on the boxes.  I knew him but I do not recall the name of Morgan Wynn.

Question:  Mr. Fiveash, how did you get your job working in the shipyard?

I grew up in downtown Brunswick and I was around the docks all my life.  I knew a lot about boats and ships at an early age so once I started talking to the workers in the shipyard and they found out just what I knew, they hired me on the spot!

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