Camden County, Georgia

Camden County is a county located in the southeastern corner of the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2020 census, its population was 54,768. Its county seat is Woodbine, and the largest city is Kingsland. It is one of the original counties of Georgia, created February 5, 1777. It is the 11th-largest county in the state of Georgia by area, and the 41st-largest by population.

Camden County comprises the Kingsland, Georgia Micropolitan Statistical Area (USA), formerly known as the St. Marys, Georgia USA, which is included in the Jacksonville—Kingsland—Palatka, Florida–Georgia Combined Statistical Area.

History

Colonial period

The first recorded European to visit what is today Camden County was Captain Jean Ribault of France in 1562. Ribault was sent out by French Huguenots to find a suitable place for a settlement. Ribault named the rivers he saw the Seine and the Some, known today as the St. Marys and Satilla Rivers. Ribault described the area as, "Fairest, fruitfulest and pleasantest of all the world."

In 1565, Spain became alarmed by the French settlements and sent out a large force to take over and settle the area. During that time, the Spaniards attempted to convert the Native Americans to Catholicism. At least two missions operated on Cumberland Island, ministering to the Timucuan people, who had resided on the island for at least 4,000 years.

Competing British and Spanish claims to the territory between their respective colonies of South Carolina and Florida was a source of international tension, and the colony of Georgia was founded in 1733 in part to protect the British interests. The Spanish theoretically lost their claim to the territory in 1742 after the Battle of Bloody Marsh (on St. Simons Island). However, settlement south of the Altamaha River (what is now Glynn and Camden Counties) was discouraged by both the British and Spanish governments. One group of settlers led by Edmund Gray sparked Spanish military action after settling on the Satilla River in the 1750s near present-day Burnt Fort, and were subsequently disbanded by the Royal Governor John Reynolds.

General Oglethorpe was at Cumberland Island when Tomochichi gave the barrier island its name. Later, he erected a hunting lodge on Cumberland named Dungeness, which was the predecessor of the famous Greene and Carnegie Dungeness Mansions. He also founded Fort St. Andrews on the north end of Cumberland Island, as well as a strong battery, Fort Prince Williams, on the south end. Fort Prince Williams commanded the entrance to the St. Marys River but had become a ruin by the Revolutionary War.

In 1763, Spain, under a treaty of peace with Great Britain, ceded Florida to the British. After this, the boundaries of Georgia were extended from the Altamaha (now the southern boundary of McIntosh County) to the St. Marys River (the current southern boundary of Camden). In 1765, four parishes were laid out between the Altamaha and St. Marys Rivers. These were St. Davids, St. Patricks, St. James, and the parishes of St. Marys and St. Thomas.

Early American era

Largely due to security issues arising from proximity to powerful Indian groups and British Florida, Georgia was the last colony to join in the War for Independence in 1775. In the Georgia Constitution of 1777 St. Thomas and St. Marys Parishes were formed into Camden County, named for Charles Pratt, 1st Earl Camden in England, a supporter of American independence. Originally Camden County was larger and also included parts of present-day Ware, Brantley, and Charlton Counties, which were re-designated in the nineteenth century.

Also under the 1777 state constitution, Glynn County and Camden County had limited and restricted representation in the new patriotic Georgia government due to their extreme "state of alarm" throughout the war. Between 1776 and 1778 Camden County saw the construction of numerous forts, three failed American campaigns against the British at St. Augustine, and numerous depredations by raiders of various allegiance. One of the most notorious of these raiders was Daniel McGirth. A significant loyalist faction existed in Camden County, headed by the brothers of Royal Governor James Wright, Charles and German Wright. They built a fort on the St. Marys River in 1775 to protect their lands and chattel during the war after repeated attacks by patriot banditti. Wright's Fort became a rendezvous for a group of loyalists called the "Florida Rangers". Two skirmishes were fought by Loyalist and Continental forces over Wright's Fort, and both times American troops failed to rout the Loyalists from the area. Finally, retreating British soldiers burned it down in 1778. The Americans rebuilt it when they invaded East Florida, and then burned it down to prevent it falling into enemy hands. The archaeological site was rediscovered in 1975.

The primary economic enterprise of the county was rice planting, particularly along the Satilla River. Sea Island cotton was grown on Cumberland Island, and short-staple cotton was grown on the mainland along with sugar cane. Various forest products including turpentine and timber were produced, mainly for consumption in the naval industry and the West Indies. Camden County also served as a hub of backcountry trade with American settlers and various Indian groups, and as a shipyard and shipping center centered around the town of St. Marys. The land in Camden County was owned by fewer than 300 people throughout the colonial and antebellum eras. Most of the white population worked in trades or as tenant farmers, while nearly all black residents were slaves. Until the 1840s (and increasingly strict black codes), Camden County had a small population of free black workers, mainly involved in day labor or maritime industry.

Camden County was the site of many trading posts with the Native Americans, who by the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries consisted mainly of people of the Creek Nation. From America's earliest years and even after Indian Removal in the 1830s, the county was a site of significant conflict between settlers and Indians, leading to a small series of local Indian wars, and displacement of both Indian and local American refugees. An important step towards establishing boundaries in the Early Federal period came with the Treaty of Colerain which was signed on June 29, 1796, on the St. Marys between United States agents and the Creeks.

Many men from Camden County volunteered to fight under John Houstoun McIntosh, a wealthy landowner in the region, during the Patriot War in Florida in 1811. These men would go on to help capture the town of Fernandina, Florida.

On January 15, 1815, British troops led by Sir George Cockburn landed on Cumberland Island. Their goal was to attack the fort at Point Peter. They quickly overwhelmed the small American forced and took Ft. Point Peter easily. After the skirmish, British soldiers occupied the county through February. They raided the town of St. Marys, as well as many plantations and smaller settlements. Although New Orleans was the last major battle of the war, the skirmish at Point Peter happened even later, almost a month after the Treaty of Ghent had been signed. The British occupation of Camden County led to the liberation of an estimated 1,485 slaves from Georgia and Florida.

Camden County was on an international border until the Adams–Onís Treaty of 1819 between the United States and Spain, making the Florida provinces American territory.

Civil War and Reconstruction

At the beginning of the Civil War, the population was 5,482 of which 1,721 were white. During the war, many of the county's civilians moved farther inland, particularly to Centerville and Trader's Hill on the St. Marys River in Charlton County. The inhabitant's fears were realized when the town of St. Marys was attacked by United States Navy.[citation needed] At least one federal party to "carry off" slaves was met by armed resistance on White Oak Creek off the Satilla River.

Camden County organized four volunteer companies: the Camden Chasseurs, St. Marys Volunteers Guard, Camden Rifles, and Camden County Guards.

Camden County land fell under Sherman's Special Field Order No. 15. which dictated the distribution of parcels of land to freedmen. However, by 1868, Camden County's freedmen found themselves dispossessed of land they had lived and worked on since emancipation or earlier. Confiscated lands were returned to former landowners. During the first years of Reconstruction, Republican candidates and many local blacks were able to gain political victories. The first Democratic victory in the county after the war went to Ray Tompkins. This signaled a return to a white political majority and the end of the Reconstruction Era concurrent with the statewide Democratic victory in 1870.

1890s - 2000

Earlier plans for railways in the area dated back to the 1830s, but construction was never begun. In 1893, Florida Central and Peninsular Railroad built a Savannah-Jacksonville line through Camden County. In 1923 the county seat of Camden County was moved from St. Marys to Woodbine, a reflection of the shift from the water transportation to railways. In 1927, U.S. Route 17 was constructed through Woodbine and Kingsland.

From 1917 to 1937, a pogy plant producing oil for Procter & Gamble and fertilizer for the Southern Fertilizer and Chemical Company was one of the major economic activities of the area. The layoffs from the pogy plant found relief when the Gilman Paper Company came to the county in 1939. The company was sold to Durango Paper Co. in 1999, and went out of business in 2002, resulting in 900 workers losing their jobs.

In 1965, Thiokol Chemical launched a 13-foot (4.0 m)-diameter, 3,000,000-pound-force (13,000 kN)-thrust rocket from their chemical plant in the eastern part of the county. On February 3, 1971, a fire and explosion occurred at the plant, located 12 miles southeast of Woodbine. The industrial accident killed 29 workers and seriously injured 50 others.

During World War II, the Georgia State Guard and local Home Guard held bases on Cumberland Island. The island and surrounding waters were also patrolled by the United States Coast Guard. The U.S. Army began to acquire land south of Crooked River in 1954 to build a military ocean terminal to ship ammunition in case of a national emergency.

In November 1976, the area of Kings Bay was selected for a submarine base. Soon afterward, the first Navy personnel arrived in the Kings Bay area and started preparations for the orderly transfer of property from the Army to the Navy. Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay not only occupies the former Army terminal land, but several thousand additional acres. Camden County's population grew enormously after the military took an interest in the area, and during the 1980s, was the fourth fastest growing county in the United States.

Cumberland Island National Seashore was established in 1970 to protect and preserve the natural and historic resources of the island. Crooked River State Park was established in 1985.

Since 2000

In 2009, the Camden County Sheriff's Office was ordered by the Justice Department to repay $662,000 of improperly spent funds seized from alleged criminals before it would be allowed to participate in the Justice Department's equitable sharing program. Items that were determined to have been purchased by the Camden County Sheriff's Department improperly included a Dodge Viper purchased for approximately $90,000 which the Sheriff's Office intended to use in anti-drug programs.

Spaceport Camden

In 2012, the Camden County Joint Development Authority began considering developing a spaceport for both horizontal and vertical spacecraft operations. In June 2015, the Camden board decided to formally advance the Spaceport Camden project by initiating an FAA Environmental Impact Assessment of the 4000+ acre facility.

In a 2022 referendum voters overturned the Camden County Board of Commissioners' vote on the option for the proposed Spaceport Camden property. In February 2023, the Georgia Supreme Court upheld this referendum, effectively ending the project.

Gilman Paper Company

The Gilman Paper Mill opened during 1941 in Camden County. For more than two decades it employed half of the St. Mary's residents and fueled the economy. By the end of the 20th century, ownership had changed twice, finally to Mexico's Durango Products. The plant was closed in 2002 The property was purchased in 2005 at a bankruptcy auction by a Jacksonville developer. He planned a 2,000-home development, only to abandon the project following the 2008 financial crisis. In 2020, Jacoby Development was chosen as project developer because their portfolio contained successful rehabilitation projects: Atlantic Station and Aerotropolis Atlanta. The Cumberland Inlet development project involved clearing and remediating the paper mill site, then building an ecotourism base camp on the waterfront with a hotel and marina, RV park, commercial spaces and home rentals. Brian Kemp, Georgia's Governor was in attendance at the groundbreaking for the Cumberland Inlet development, expressing optimism about the planned $500 million project The Camden County Joint Development Authority borrowed almost $11 million in seed money to be repaid in regular installments starting in 2023. The Jacoby Development subsidiary made the first two payments, but the third payment of $736,000 was missed. Some of the project work was completed, but in 2025, the CCJDA filed a lawsuit seeking repayment of over $9 million in loans for the stalled Cumberland Inlet redevelopment project. In early 2026 CCJDA announced that they have recovered ownership of the property.

Local government

County commissioners

The Camden County Board of Commissioners is made up of five members elected by district to staggered four year terms. Each year, the Board selects a Chair and Vice Chair from among its members. The Board establishes county policies, adopts ordinances, sets the budget and tax rates, and appoints a County Administrator to oversee daily operations and carry out Commission policies. Regular meetings are typically held on the first and third Tuesday of each month at 6:00 p.m. in the Commission Chambers at the Government Services Complex in Woodbine.

Sheriff

Sheriff James Kevin Chaney was elected in November 2024 and took office in January 2025.

Superior Court Clerk

Joy Lynn Turner serves as the elected Clerk of Superior Court. The office serves as the official custodian of land and property records, as well as civil and criminal court files, while supporting court operations through filing, records management, and jury administration. The Clerk’s office also handles duties such as deed recording, tax collection related to property transfers, lien and trade name filings, and the collection and disbursement of court fines and fees.

Tax Commissioner

Beth Soles serves as the elected Tax Commissioner. The Tax Commissioner’s Office manages several important services for residents. These responsibilities include issuing vehicle tags and titles, mobile home permits and titles, and handicap parking placards. The office also collects ad valorem taxes on vehicles, mobile homes, and property.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 782 square miles (2,030 km2), of which 613 square miles (1,590 km2) is land and 169 square miles (440 km2) (21.6%) is water.

The bulk of Camden County's central and western area, from an east–west line running through Waverly in the north to a line running from Charlton County northeast to St. Andrew Sound, is located in the Satilla River sub-basin of the St. Marys-Satilla basin. The area north of Waverly, as well as from west of Kingsland east to the coast of Cumberland Island, is located in the Cumberland-St. Simons sub-basin of the St. Marys-Satilla River basin. Camden County's southern border area, in a line from Charlton County to St. Marys, is located in the St. Marys River sub-basin of the same St. Marys-Satilla basin.

The 1898 Georgia hurricane which made landfall on Cumberland Island in Camden County was the strongest hurricane to hit the state of Georgia within recorded history.

Major highways

• I-95 (Interstate 95)
• US 17
• SR 25
• SR 25 Spur
• SR 40
• SR 40 Spur
• SR 110
• SR 252
• SR 405 (unsigned designation for I-95)

Adjacent counties

• Glynn County (north)
• Nassau County, Florida (south)
• Charlton County (west)
• Brantley County (northwest)

National protected area

• Cumberland Island National Seashore

Communities

Cities

• Kingsland
• St. Marys
• Woodbine

Census-designated places

• Kings Bay Base
• Waverly

Unincorporated communities

• Dover Bluff
• Hopewell
• Spring Bluff
• White Oak
• Bullhead Bluff

Demographics

Racial and ethnic composition

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, there were 54,768 people, 20,374 households, and 14,380 families residing in the county.

Of the residents, 23.7% were under the age of 18 and 14.5% were 65 years of age or older; the median age was 34.6 years. For every 100 females there were 101.5 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 101.1 males. 70.4% of residents lived in urban areas and 29.6% lived in rural areas.

The racial makeup of the county was 70.1% White, 17.7% Black or African American, 0.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.6% Asian, 0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 2.1% from some other race, and 7.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 6.7% of the population.

Of the 20,374 households, 33.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 24.0% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 23.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 22,541 housing units, of which 9.6% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 64.5% were owner-occupied and 35.5% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.7% and the rental vacancy rate was 8.9%.

Education

Public Schools

The school board is run by the following members:

• Board Member District 1 - Jason Chance
• Board Member District 2 - Allison Murray, Vice-Chair
• Board Member District 3 - Melissa Hodge
• Board Member District 4 - Jonathon Blount, Chair
• Board Member District 5 - Amy Melton
• Superintendent of Schools - Dr. Tracolya Green

Elementary Schools

• Crooked River Elementary
• David L. Rainer Elementary
• Kingsland Elementary
• Mamie Lou Gross Elementary
• Mary Lee Clark Elementary
• Matilda Harris Elementary
• St. Marys Elementary
• Sugarmill Elementary
• Woodbine Elementary

Middle Schools

• Camden Middle School
• St. Marys Middle School

Camden County High School

Camden County High School is the only public high school in the Camden County School District, serving more than 2,500 students in grades 9 through 12 with a comprehensive curriculum that includes both college preparatory and career technology pathways. Students may participate in academic and technical dual enrollment programs with College of Coastal Georgia or Coastal Pines Technical College.

Students also benefit from a strong special education program, numerous co-curricular activities, and 23 varsity sports that support a well rounded educational experience. CCHS operates on a 4x4 block schedule, allowing students to complete eight courses per year and earn up to 32 credits during their high school career.

Athletics

The school is part of the Georgia High School Association and is in Region 1. In 2003, the Wildcats won the Georgia 5A Football State Championship by defeating Valdosta High School. In 2008, the Wildcats won their second 5A State Football Championship by defeating Peachtree Ridge High School. In 2009, the Wildcats won their third 5A State Football Championship by defeating Northside (Warner Robins).

Politics

As of the 2020s, Camden County is a Republican stronghold, voting 67% for Donald Trump in 2024. Similar to Southeast Georgia, Camden County is heavily Republican, having last voted Democratic in 1980, when the Democratic nominee was Georgia native Jimmy Carter.

For elections to the United States House of Representatives, Camden County is part of Georgia's 1st congressional district, currently represented by Buddy Carter. For elections to the Georgia State Senate, Camden County is part of District 3. For elections to the Georgia House of Representatives, Camden County is covered by district 180.

Notable people

• James Seagrove: appointed Creek Indian Agent by the federal government and Superintendent of Creek Indian Affairs in 1789. Also a local trader associated with Trader's Hill and founder of St. Marys.
• Duncan Lamont Clinch: After serving in the Seminole Wars, partially in Camden County, Clinch retired to planting near Jefferson on the Satilla River, and later began his political career.
• Thomas Buckingham Smith: Born on Cumberland Island in 1810, Smith was a diplomat, antiquarian, and scholar. Notable Spanish translator and author of works on southern Native Americans.
• John Floyd (October 3, 1769 – June 24, 1839): was an American politician and brigadier general in the First Brigade of Georgia Militia. He was a member of the Georgia House of Representatives, as well as the US House of Representatives.[citation needed]
• Charles Rinaldo Floyd (1797–1845): led the first U.S. campaign into the Okefenoke Swamp during the Seminole Wars. The Floyds were the largest planting family in Camden County.
• Catherine Littlefield Greene: Wife of General Nathaniel Greene. Lived on Cumberland Island and built the county's largest antebellum home, Dungeness.
• Travis Taylor: American former college and professional football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football league (NFL) for eight seasons during the 2000s. Taylor played college football for the University of Florida. A first-round pick in the 2000 NFL draft, he played professionally for the Baltimore Ravens, Minnesota Vikings, Oakland Raiders and St. Louis Rams.
• Stump Mitchell: American football coach and former professional player. He served as head football coach at Morgan State University from 1996 to 1998 and Southern University from 2010 to 2012, compiling an overall college football record of 14–42. Mitchell played collegiately at The Citadel and thereafter was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals of the National Football League (NFL). He was a running back and return specialist for the Cardinals from 1981 to 1989.[citation needed]
• Ryan Seymour: American football offensive guard for the New York Giants of the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the seventh round of the 2013 NFL draft, and has also played for the San Francisco 49ers and Cleveland Browns. He played college football for Vanderbilt.
• Alicia Patterson: Founder and editor of Newsday. While not from Camden County by birth, her remains are interred at her private hunting lodge in Kingsland.
• Jarrad Davis: Former linebacker for the Camden County Wildcats, the University of Florida, and current linebacker for the Detroit Lions
• Jason Spencer: former State Representative for district 180 in the Georgia House of Representatives from 2011 to 2018, is a longtime resident of the center of the district, Woodbine.[citation needed]
• William J. Hardee, Confederate general[citation needed]

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Camden County, Georgia

External links

• October 11, 2012, at the Wayback Machine

30°55′N 81°38′W/30.92°N 81.64°W/ 30.92; -81.64