Few People Realize How Much Railroad History Is Preserved In The Small Town Of St. Marys, Georgia
By Lisa Sammons|Published April 05, 2023
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Lisa Sammons
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Lisa loves animals and has dogs, rats, cats, guinea pigs, and snakes. She is passionate about animal rescue and live music - traveling across the country to see a favorite band is a pretty regular occurrence! Being out hiking in the woods enjoying the scenery with her beloved dogs is another favorite hobby, and also checking out the Pokemon Go scene in whatever city she happens to be in at any given time (coffee and dog leash in hand). You can reach Lisa at lsammons@onlyinyourstate.com
Looking for a great historic small town in Georgia with lots of history? There are plenty to check out all over the Peach State, and one of the best is the beautiful coastal city of St. Marys. It’s just above the Florida state line and right along the Saint Marys River. This is a gorgeous area of the state. St. Marys is well-known for its natural beauty, collection of charming shops and restaurants, and myriad attractions, but it’s also a town that’s full of history, particularly in the railroad industry. We have tons of little railroad towns peppered throughout the state, and it’s so interesting to see how each of them had their culture and history shaped so heavily by rail travel.
Though St. Marys is fast-growing and now has a population of over 18,000, it has a quaint, small-town charm that you typically see in much smaller towns. The weather tends to be pretty mild here, so you'll find wonderful festivals and events throughout the year.
The St. Marys and Kingsland Railroad was founded in 1865, but due to financial difficulties, trains didn't actually hit the track until late 1906. Despite several changes in ownership, the railroad is still operating today.
You can still visit the old railcar station, which now houses the St. Marys Little Theatre’s community productions and a railroad museum that’s open during performances.
You can even, hitch a ride on the Georgia Coastal Railway which originates in nearby Kingsland and runs to St. Marys.
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Hop aboard one of the special excursions, like the Wild West Train, where you can view a wild west reenactment from an open-air train car.
Even if you're not particularly interested in trains, there are plenty of other historical attractions in St. Marys, Georgia. The St. Marys Submarine Museum is the largest submarine museum in the South. The two-story building has loads of information on submarine use within the U.S. military.
St Marys Submarine Museum Inc, Saint Marys Street West, St. Marys, GA, USA
You can also take a visit to the historic Oak Grove Cemetery. This graveyard was laid out in 1788 and is the final resting place for many soldiers, dating all the way back to the American Revolution.
If you'd like to extend your trip for a few days, check out the historic Riverview Hotel. It was built in 1916 and is a wonderful combination of history and modern amenities.
Riverview Hotel, Osborne Street, St. Marys, GA, USA
Have you ever visited St. Marys, Georgia? What were your favorite attractions in this historic small town in Georgia? Share your thoughts in the comments!
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