page_title: Golden Isles of Georgia
section_title: Maritime Center
hierarchical_section_title: Golden Isles of Georgia / Historical landmarks and attractions / St. Simons Island / Maritime Center
caption_attribution_description: English: St. Simons Island Light (lighthouse) and keeper's house, which is now a museum
context_page_description: The Golden Isles of Georgia are a group of four barrier islands and the mainland port city of Brunswick on the 100-mile-long coast of the U.S. state of Georgia on the Atlantic Ocean. They include St. Simons Island, Sea Island, Jekyll Island, Little St. Simons Island, and Historic Brunswick.
  Mild winters, together with natural beaches, vast stretches of marshland, maritime forests, historical sites, and abundant wildlife on both land and sea have made the Golden Isles a popular travel destination for families, nature-lovers, fishing and water sports enthusiasts, golfers, and history buffs.
  All the islands are located within Glynn County and make up the lower middle section of Georgia's eleven barrier islands. Annual mild temperatures average 68 °F, with July highs of 90 °F. St. Simons is the largest of the four, with a permanent population of 12,743 residents as of the 2010 census. Curled around its north end and accessible only by boat is Little St. Simons Island—privately owned and maintained in its natural state with a small capacity guest lodge and cottages. Jekyll Island is owned by the state of Georgia and operated as a state park, with limited residential areas.
context_section_description: The Maritime Center makes its home in the Historic Coast Guard Station.  Filled with interactive exhibits and galleries, this interesting museum offers an exciting look at coastal Georgia's natural assets, maritime and military history. Explore seven galleries featuring a variety of hands-on exhibits and activities.
  The historic U.S. Coast Guard Station at East Beach on St. Simons Island was one of 45 U.S. Coast Guard Stations built around the country by the Works Progress Administration (WPA).  Work on the East Beach Station began in Fall 1935.  It is believed to be one of only three surviving stations from that era.
  The station and boathouse had its "First Watch" on April 1, 1937.  When the station first opened, the original beachfront was just a few feet from the front door.  Today the station is separated from the beach by a large parking lot.
  On April 8, 1942, German submarine U-123 sank two merchant ships, the SS Oklahoma and Esso Baton Rouge, off the coast of St. Simons Island.  Joined by local residents, the coast guardsmen mounted the rescue.
  In 1995, the East Beach Station was decommissioned and all local Coast Guard operations were moved to mainland Brunswick.  A brand new Coast Guard Station was completed in 2005, just to the east of the Sidney Lanier Bridge.
  
  4201 1st Street, St. Simons Island, GA 31522
caption: Lighthouse and keeper's house (now the museum)
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