Dungeness on Cumberland Island, Georgia, is a ruined mansion that is part of a historic district that was the home of several families significant in American history. James Oglethorpe first built on Cumberland Island in 1736, building a hunting lodge that he named Dungeness. Oglethorpe named the place after Dungeness, in England. The next Dungeness was the legacy of Revolutionary War hero Nathanael Greene, who had acquired 11,000 acres of island land in exchange for a bad debt. His widow built a four-story tabby mansion in 1803, over a Timucuan shell mound. During the War of 1812 the island was occupied by the British, who used the house as a headquarters.
In 1818 Henry “Light-Horse Harry” Lee, a dashing cavalry commander during the Revolutionary War and father of Robert E. Lee, stayed at the house until his death on March 25, 1818, cared for by Greene's daughter Louisa, and was laid to rest in nearby cemetery with full military honors provided by an American fleet stationed at St. Marys, Georgia. The house was abandoned during the U.S. Civil War and burned in 1866.
In the 1880s the property was purchased by Thomas M. Carnegie, brother of Andrew Carnegie, who began to build a new mansion on the site. The 59-room Queen Anne style mansion and grounds were completed after Carnegie's death in 1886. His wife Lucy continued to live at Dungeness and built other estates for her children, including Greyfield for Margaret Carnegie, Plum Orchard for George Lauder Carnegie, and Stafford Plantation. By this time, the Carnegies owned 90% of the island.
The Carnegies moved out of Dungeness in 1925. In 1959 the Dungeness mansion was destroyed by fire, alleged to be arson. The ruins are today preserved by the National Park Service as part of Cumberland Island National Seashore. They were acquired by the Park Service in 1972.

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Top St. Marys Shopping Hotels

3 bedrooms, desk, iron/ironing board, free WiFi

#G 2-Story, Modern Rustic Apt in Cntrl Downtown

St. Marys

United States

Brittany R.

Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop

#B Loft Downtown! Huge 2-Bedroom

St. Marys

United States

Pam B.

AED 997 total

includes taxes & fees

30 Nov - 1 Dec

Terrace/patio

#I Stylish Bungalow Loft - DT Near to Waterfront

St. Marys

United States

Carla W.

Smart TV, books

#D Industrial Vibe - DT - Steps to Shops & Dining

St. Marys

AED 750 total

includes taxes & fees

23 Nov - 24 Nov

Property grounds

Mermaid Cottage in Beautiful Downtown St Marys GA- Gateway to Cumberland Island

St Marys

United States

Kevin M.

AED 906 total

includes taxes & fees

15 Dec - 16 Dec

1 bedroom, iron/ironing board, free WiFi, bed sheets

#A Industrial Studio Loft Downtown!

St. Marys

United States

Nat H.

AED 934 total

includes taxes & fees

1 Dec - 2 Dec

Exterior

Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Kingsland Naval Base I-95

Kingsland

United States

kelley

AED 305 total

includes taxes & fees

17 Nov - 18 Nov

Indoor pool, 2 outdoor pools, cabanas (surcharge), pool umbrellas

Omni Amelia Island Resort & Spa

Fernandina Beach

United States

Virginia

AED 819 total

includes taxes & fees

30 Nov - 1 Dec

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Top St. Marys Hotel Reviews

Seaside Amelia Inn

Seaside Amelia Inn

10/10 Excellent

"great location, friendly staff!"

The Villas of Amelia Island

The Villas of Amelia Island

10/10 Excellent

"This place was fantastic. Customer service was amazing. We stayed at one of the villas through the hotel and absolutely loved it. There is a trolley that will pick you up and drop you off anywhere in the resort area promptly and free of charge. Everyone friendly. Clean. Food was amazing. 10/10"

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