Road To Nowhere: May Road's Story

May Road is located in Brunswick, Georgia, a city with a rich history and a vibrant culture. Established as Brunswick after the German Duchy of Brunswick–Lüneburg, the city has a long and fascinating past, dating back to the 18th century. With a population of around 15,210 people, Brunswick offers a unique blend of historic charm and modern attractions.

The city is known for its picturesque downtown area, featuring well-preserved Victorian architecture, beautiful pocket parks, and squares. The grid-like street pattern, a reflection of its British colonial heritage, adds to the charm of the city. Brunswick's economic development is focused on tourism and logistics, with a vibrant port contributing significantly to its progress. The city also boasts a diverse range of entertainment options, restaurants, and shops, making it a popular destination for visitors and locals alike.

Brunswick, located on the Georgia coastline, is a gateway to the Golden Isles, including Jekyll and St. Simons Islands. With its rich history, cultural offerings, and natural beauty, Brunswick, Georgia, is a fascinating place to explore.

Historic Downtown Brunswick

Brunswick is laid out in a traditional British fashion with a grid-like street pattern, pleasant squares, and green parks. The original town plans remain, with street names reflecting its English heritage: Prince, Newcastle, Hanover, London, Norwich, George, Dartmouth, and Gloucester. The city is recognised as an important port, playing a strategic military role in World War II and serving numerous economic purposes since.

The Brunswick Downtown Development Authority is committed to the economic development, historic preservation, and beautification of Brunswick's core commercial areas. The Authority aims to enhance the quality of life and strengthen the community by promoting economic growth and community activities.

Downtown Brunswick boasts a progressive array of entertainment options, including live music events, axe throwing, film festivals, and theatre productions. The Brunswick Semiquincentennial Book Preview offers a glimpse into the city's rich history, while the Brunswick Town Mall and its businesses cater to those seeking retail therapy.

The city also offers a variety of culinary experiences, with restaurants serving cuisines from Southern-style stews to international dishes. For those seeking outdoor recreation, Howard Coffin Park provides playgrounds, baseball fields, softball fields, and picnic areas.

With its charming blend of history, culture, and natural beauty, Historic Downtown Brunswick invites residents and visitors alike to explore its vibrant streets and discover its unique character.

Brunswick's economy

Brunswick, Georgia, is a city and county seat in Glynn County, in the US state of Georgia. It is the primary urban and economic centre of the lower southeast portion of the state. Brunswick has a progressive economy largely based on tourism and logistics, with a GDP of $3.9 billion as of 2013.

Tourism

Tourism is the single largest industry in the city and county. Brunswick and the Golden Isles are a year-round resort community, attracting visitors from around the world to their beaches, resorts, shops, and historic sites. The islands are known colloquially as the Golden Isles and feature white-sand public beaches. They are popular destinations for tourists and local citizens alike.

Port of Brunswick

The Port of Brunswick is one of Georgia's two seaports and is a vital part of the city's economy. It is one of the most productive ports on the East Coast and is the sixth-busiest automobile port in the US. It handles approximately 10% of all US roll-on/roll-off trade, third after the ports of Los Angeles and Newark. The Port of Brunswick is the primary export facility for two of the three traditional US automotive manufacturers: Ford and General Motors. It is also the primary export facility for Mercedes-Benz and the central import facility for Hyundai, Jaguar, Kia, Land Rover, Mitsubishi, Porsche, and Volvo.

Other Industries and Employers

Other major employers in Brunswick include:

• King & Prince Seafood
• GSI Commerce
• Pinova
• Gulfstream Aerospace
• Georgia-Pacific mill
• Hercules
• Southeast Georgia Health System

Brunswick's history

Brunswick, Georgia, has a rich history that dates back to the 18th century. Here is a detailed account of the city's evolution over the years:

Early Settlement and Founding

The recorded history of Brunswick, Georgia, began in 1738 when Mark Carr, a Scotsman and the first European settler in the area, established a 1,000-acre plantation called "Plug Point" along the Turtle River. Carr was a captain in General James Oglethorpe's Marine Boat Company. The area was initially inhabited by the Mocama, a Timucua-speaking people who cultivated the land.

Growth and Development

In 1771, the Provincial Council, recognising the potential of Carr's land, purchased it and laid out the town of Brunswick in a grid style, similar to Oglethorpe's Savannah Plan. The town was named after the Duchy of Brunswick-Lüneburg in Germany, the ancestral home of King George II of Great Britain. Brunswick's prominence grew, and in 1789, President George Washington proclaimed it as one of the five original ports of entry for the American colonies. This led to further prosperity, and in 1797, Brunswick became the county seat of Glynn County, a status it still holds today.

Civil War and Reconstruction

During the Civil War, with the approach of the Union Army, much of the city was abandoned and burned. The Confederate States Army burned the St. Simons Island Lighthouse to prevent it from falling into Union hands. Brunswick's wharves and the Oglethorpe House were also burned. The city suffered from post-war depression, but economic prosperity returned with the establishment of a large lumber mill in the area.

19th Century and Industrialisation

In the late 19th century, despite challenges like yellow fever epidemics and hurricanes, Brunswick's business thrived due to its port activities, including trade in cotton, lumber, naval stores, and oysters. The city also became a tourist destination, fuelled by the appeal of nearby Jekyll Island, which attracted influential families like the Rockefellers, Vanderbilts, Pulitzers, and Goodyears.

World War I and II

During World War I, Brunswick saw increased shipbuilding activity. However, it was World War II that truly boomed the local economy, with over 16,000 workers employed to produce Liberty ships and "Knot" ships. German U-boats threatened the coast, and blimps became a common sight as they patrolled the area. Brunswick's Glynco Naval Air Station was, for a time, the largest blimp base in the world.

Recent Years

In recent decades, Brunswick has continued to thrive as a port city, declaring itself the "'Shrimp Capital of the World' due to its thriving shrimping industry. The city also boasts a diverse economy with businesses like Hercules, one of the oldest yellow-pine chemical plants globally, and a strong tourism sector.

Brunswick's climate

Brunswick, Georgia's climate is classified as humid subtropical. The city experiences hot and oppressive summers, with temperatures reaching over 90 °F (32 °C). The high humidity results in a heat index higher than the actual temperature, with summer mornings averaging 90% humidity. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in the summer. The hottest temperature ever recorded in Brunswick was 106 °F (41 °C) in 1986.

Winters in Brunswick are short and fairly temperate, with the average high in January, the coldest month, being 63 °F (17 °C) and the average low 44 °F (7 °C). Snowfall is extremely rare, with the last recorded snowfall in Brunswick being in December 1989. The coldest temperature ever recorded was 5 °F (−15 °C) in January 1985.

Brunswick receives a high amount of rainfall annually, with an average of 49.6 inches (1,260 mm). The wettest months are August and September, which is also the peak of hurricane season. The city has experienced hurricane or near-hurricane conditions several times due to storms passing through Florida or brushing the area from the Atlantic. However, a major hurricane has not made landfall on the Georgia coast since 1898, and Brunswick has suffered less damage from hurricanes compared to other East Coast cities.

Brunswick's culture and arts

Brunswick, Georgia, is a city with a vibrant arts and entertainment scene. The city is home to a variety of arts and cultural events, with something for everyone throughout the year.

Theatre

The Historic Ritz Theatre, a beautiful ornate building, hosts a range of performances by local, regional, national, and international artists. The Brunswick Actors Theatre also stages productions and is home to a gallery.

Film

Every month, First Friday draws hundreds downtown for art exhibit openings, live music, and street performers.

Music

Brunswick's music scene includes great local musicians and the annual Georgia Elvis Festival.

Visual Arts

The city boasts specialty shops and galleries, as well as opportunities to create your own painting or pottery piece. Glynn Visual Arts is a local organisation that aims to use art to ignite change and uplift the community.

Events

The Brunswick Mural Project is an initiative that uses public art to build community. The city also holds an annual Brunswick Rockin' Stewbilee, a stew-tasting contest with over 50 teams.

Frequently asked questions