Tour Historic Darien
Take a one- to two-hour walking, biking or driving tour of the Historic Darien District with Jim Morrison, who has been fully vaccinated for Covid 19 with two shots of the Moderna vaccine. See the historic, scenic waterfront of Georgia's second-oldest surviving town, working shrimp docks, the oldest building in Darien, the oldest house, scenic historic churches, the Colonial Cemetery, the Old Jail, haunted McIntosh County Courthouse (burned three times!) hanging grounds and more! All tours start at the Friendly Express convenience store on U.S. 17 at the corner of Fort King George St. at the Darien River Bridge. All tours are rain or shine. Rain does not cancel.
Darien's riverfront is lined with the tabby ruins of waterfront warehouses, taverns and ship supply stores burned by African-American troops of the Union Army 1863, as seen in the movie "Glory." See the church that one of the Union officer's grieving family helped rebuild after the war.
Darien's scenic shrimp boats dock at its historic waterfront on the mighty Altamaha River. Ocean going sailing ships once docked here to buy timber from seven sawmills, and river raftsmen from upcountry sold their timber here that they floated down the river from Middle Georgia.
Darien's many historic churches are modeled on English Country churches. The Scottish Highlanders who founded Georgia brought the first Presbyterian minister in America with them.
Darien's oldest building was constructed of tabby about 1820. It was burned by freed former black slaves enlisted in the Union Army depicted in the movie "Glory". It is now being restored.
Darien's oldest house was constructed in 1836. The only house still standing that survived the Burning of Darien was owned by a known Union friend who was suspected to be a Union spy!
Darien was laid out by Georgia founder General James Oglethorpe on the English pattern of common squares used by his plan for Savannah, founded only three years before Darien. This one is named for Christopher Columbus. It once was the site of a railroad station.
What a great tour!
Jim's incredible knowledge of over 400 years of rich area history is matched only by his passion for sharing it with others. Of course, you'll see all the well-known popular sites, but you'll also visit hidden history-rich sites that will surprise you. You'll hear stories of the people and events that helped shape American history, all told in Jim's personable, engaging style that, at times, transports you back in time as he weaves tales of settlers and martyrs, of heroes and scoundrels. It's a fun, entertaining and informative tour. You'll be glad you did it!
Tee and Danny Hannigan, Richmond Hill, Georgia