Press Releases

U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., and U.S. Representative Earl L. “Buddy” Carter, R-Ga.-01, have introduced legislation to allow the expansion of the Fort Frederica National Monument on St. Simons Island. Companion bills in the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives, S. 2024 and H.R. 3480, will increase the maximum number of acres that may be included in the monument from 250 acres to 525 acres. Due to current statute, legislation is required to expand the authorized boundary and remove the 250-acre ceiling established by Congress in 1958.

“Expanding the boundary of Georgia’s historic Fort Frederica National Monument will add to the historical significance of the monument,” said Isakson. “I am proud to introduce this legislation with Congressman Buddy Carter in order to ensure that all of the historical elements of the monument are preserved for visitors and Georgians alike for decades to come.”

“I am pleased to introduce this legislation with Senator Isakson to preserve the history and legacy or our area for Georgians and visitors for many generations to come,” Carter said. “As important artifacts are discovered from the past, this legislation is necessary for the Park Service to be able to protect it for the future.”

The areas being assessed by the National Park Service for inclusion in the Fort Frederica National Monument are within the direct viewshed of the park including, the fort, King’s magazine, tabby ruins of soldiers’ barracks, and other trails. The areas were once used by the British Town of Frederica founded in 1736 by General James Edward Oglethorpe. Based on archival data and a reconnaissance study, there is a high potential that the remains of a colonial cannon battery, Point Battery, exists within the southern area. The northern area is believed to have been used as a campground for troops in 1743.