Golden Isles Issue 1 | Page 31

HOFWYL–BROADFIELD PLANTATION Brunswick In the early 1800s, William Brailsford carved a rice plantation from marshes along the Altamaha River. The last heir left the plantation and the antebellum home to the state of Georgia in 1973. Open Wednesday to Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. MARY ROSS WATERFRONT PARK 5556 U.S. Highway 17 N. 912.264.7333 THE RITZ THEATRE Mary Ross Waterfront Park, a beautiful place to watch the sunset across the river, features a memorial to Liberty Ships constructed during World War II. It also features public performances on its outdoor staged pavilion. Built in 1899, The Ritz Theatre has been fully restored and serves as a theater and arts center featuring year-round live performances, films, exhibits, educational programs, and more. Current films and exhibits can be found online. Bay St. at Gloucester St. 912.265.6665 1530 Newcastle St. 912.262.6934 ➤ OLD CITY HALL Originally built in 1889, Old City Hall was fully restored in 2004. This striking historic structure is a part-time city courthouse and a venue for everything from class reunions to wedding receptions. The building is open to the public. 1229 Newcastle St. 912.265.4032 SIGNATURE SQUARES ➤ Signature Squares of Brunswick, a nonprofit preservation organization, was founded in 2005 to reclaim and beautify the original colonial parks and squares in the Old Town district of the city. Newcastle St., Historic Downtown 1924 F.J. TORRAS CAUSEWAY was built, connecting Brunswick and St. Simons Island. The series of bridges were designed by Brunswick native Fernando Joseph Torras, who also served as Brunswick’s city manager for more than 30 years. 1943 – 1945 1928 THE CLOISTER AT SEA ISLAND opened. Howard Coffin purchased the island in 1926 and hired renowned architect Addison Mizner to design the original Cloister Hotel. The Plantation Course at Sea Island Golf Club opened in summer 1927. During World War II, BRUNSWICK’S SHIPYARDS bustled with activity critical to America’s war efforts. Approximately 16,000 workers were employed to build 99 Liberty Ships. NAS Glynco, now the site of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, began producing blimps to escort U.S. cargo ships through the Atlantic Ocean. The base featured two giant wooden hangers, each about the size of six football fields, and was the only naval air station to accommodate all types of aircraft — blimps, propeller planes, jets, and helicopters. NAS Glynco was decommissioned in 1974. Goldenisles.com 29