New Brunswick, Ga: A Coastal Gem

Brunswick, Georgia is a city in and the county seat of Glynn County. It is the primary urban and economic centre of the lower southeast portion of Georgia, with a population of 15,210 as of the 2020 census. Brunswick is located on a peninsula, approximately 40 miles north of Florida and 80 miles south of South Carolina. The city is bordered by several rivers, including the East River, the Turtle River, the Brunswick River, and the Mackay River. It is also home to a variety of historic sites, shops, and restaurants, as well as a thriving seafood industry.

Brunswick, Georgia's history and layout

Brunswick, Georgia, is a city in and the county seat of Glynn County. It is the primary urban and economic centre of the lower southeast portion of Georgia and the second-largest urban area on the Georgia coastline after Savannah. It has a population of 15,210, with a metropolitan area of 113,495 as of 2020.

History

The recorded history of Brunswick, Georgia, dates back to 1738 when the area's first European settler, Mark Carr, a Scotsman and captain in General James Oglethorpe's Marine Boat Company, established a 1,000-acre tobacco plantation called "Plug Point" along the Turtle River. In 1771, the Royal Province of Georgia purchased Carr's fields 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 and the House of Hanover.

During the American Revolutionary War, Brunswick lost many of its citizens, who fled to East Florida, the Caribbean Basin, and the United Kingdom. In 1789, Brunswick was recognised as an official port of entry by an act of the United States Congress. In 1797, the Georgia General Assembly transferred the seat of Glynn County from Frederica to Brunswick, further establishing its prominence.

During the Civil War, the city was abandoned and burned. After the war, economic prosperity returned with the construction of a large lumber mill in the area. By the late 19th century, Brunswick was thriving due to port business for cotton, lumber, naval stores, and oysters, as well as a growing tourism industry fuelled by nearby Jekyll Island.

During World War I, Brunswick saw increased shipbuilding activity. However, it was during World War II that the city's economy boomed, with 16,000 workers producing ninety-nine Liberty ships and "Knot" ships for the war effort. The city also played a strategic military role, with its Naval Air Station serving as the largest blimp base in the world at the time.

Layout

Brunswick is located on the coast of Georgia, approximately 70-75 miles south of Savannah and 60-65 miles north of Jacksonville, Florida. It is situated on a peninsula, bordered by several rivers, including the Brunswick River, the East River, the Turtle River, and the Mackay River. The city features a grid layout with large public squares, similar to Savannah. The streets and squares were named after notable English figures, such as George III, the Duke of Gloucester, and the Earl of Egmont. The city's Old Town, with its Victorian-style homes and oak-shaded streets, is the largest small-town, urban National Register of Historic Places district in Georgia.

The city's economy and industries

Brunswick, Georgia, is a progressive city with a diverse economy based primarily on tourism and logistics. The city's GDP was $3.9 billion as of 2013, and it serves as the primary urban and economic centre of the lower southeast portion of Georgia.

Tourism

Tourism is the largest industry in Brunswick and Glynn County. Brunswick and the Golden Isles are a year-round resort community, boasting beaches, resorts, shops, and historic sites that attract visitors from around the world. The city is also a gateway to Jekyll and St. Simons Islands, two popular tourist destinations accessible only via causeways from Brunswick. The islands, known as the Golden Isles, feature white-sand public beaches.

Port of Brunswick

The Port of Brunswick, one of Georgia's two seaports, is a vital part of the city's economy and recognised as one of the most productive ports on the East Coast. It is the sixth-busiest automobile port in the US and handles approximately 10% of all US roll-on/roll-off trade, ranking third in the country. The port serves as the primary export facility for Ford, General Motors, and Mercedes-Benz, and the central import facility for Hyundai, Jaguar, Kia, Land Rover, Mitsubishi, Porsche, and Volvo. In addition to automobiles, exports include agricultural products and other bulk cargoes.

Other Industries

Brunswick is also home to a variety of other industries, including seafood, aviation, wood pulp, and chemical manufacturing. The city is the centre of Georgia's shrimping industry and has a rich seafood industry, with shrimp boats docked at the wharf. Gulfstream Aerospace, a jet aircraft manufacturer, has a presence at the city's airport. The Georgia-Pacific mill in Brunswick is the largest single-site fluff production facility in the world, producing wood pulp since 1937. Hercules, a chemical manufacturer, operates a production facility in the city.

Climate and geography

Brunswick, Georgia is located on the Atlantic coast, approximately 40 miles (60 km) north of Florida and 80 miles (130 km) south of South Carolina. The city is bordered by Oglethorpe Bay, the East River, and the Turtle River to the west, the Brunswick River to the south, and the Mackay River with the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway to the east. The city is situated on a peninsula and is naturally sheltered by two barrier islands, Jekyll and St. Simons. An abundance of salt marshes separates Brunswick from the Intracoastal Waterway. The East River separates the city from Andrews Island, a dredge spoil site.

Brunswick is the lowest-lying city in Georgia, with an elevation of only 10 to 14 feet (3 to 4.3 metres) above sea level. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Brunswick's land area is 32.4 square miles (83.8 square km), and its total area is 42.4 square miles (109.8 square km). The city's climate is classified as humid subtropical, with hot and humid summers and mild winters. During the summer, temperatures often exceed 90 °F (32 °C), and the humidity results in a higher heat index. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in the summer. Winters in Brunswick are fairly temperate, with average highs of 63 °F (17 °C) and lows of 44 °F (7 °C). Snowfall is rare, with the last recorded snowfall in 1989.

The city receives a high amount of rainfall annually, averaging about 49.6 inches (1,260 mm). August and September, the peak of hurricane season, are typically the wettest months. While Brunswick has suffered less hurricane damage than most other East Coast cities, it has experienced near-hurricane conditions several times due to storms in the region. The city has four Superfund sites, formerly heavily contaminated toxic waste sites, and research has shown that bottlenose dolphins feeding in the nearby estuaries have high concentrations of PCBs.

Brunswick is the centre of Georgia's shrimping industry, and the surrounding area is also known for its crab and oyster industries. The city is rich in live oak trees, particularly the Southern live oak, which was used in the construction of Revolutionary warships such as the USS Constitution. Notable live oaks in the area include Lover's Oak and Lanier's Oak, the latter of which inspired poet Sidney Lanier to write "The Marshes of Glynn."

Tourism and attractions

Brunswick, Georgia, is a port city laid out in a grid system, with streets and squares bearing colonial names. The city has a vibrant historic waterfront community, with entertainment, restaurants, shops, and distinctive charm.

The city's rich history and culture are reflected in its architecture, with colonial names still adorning the streets and squares. The British-inspired grid layout remains, with squares and green parks adding to the charm. The city's downtown area is a hub of activity, with a progressive array of entertainment, dining, and shopping options.

For those interested in history, the Hofwyl-Broadfield Plantation offers a glimpse into the past. This beautiful plantation represents the history and culture of Georgia's rice coast, dating back to the early 1800s. The antebellum home is filled with family heirlooms, antique furniture, and Cantonese china. It is also a great spot for birdwatching, as it is a stop on the Colonial Coast Birding Trail.

The city's natural scenery is also a draw, with paths and landmarks such as the Sidney Lanier Bridge, the Old Town Brunswick National Historic District, and Mary Ross Waterfront Park offering opportunities for walking and jogging. The city's flat terrain and pleasant climate make it ideal for year-round biking and outdoor activities like kayaking, sailing, and swimming.

For those seeking entertainment, the Historic Ritz Theatre/Golden Isles Arts and Humanities Association offers year-round performing arts, films, exhibits, and educational programs. The Brunswick Actors' Theatre and SoGlo Gallery also provide cultural experiences.

Foodies will enjoy the array of dining options, including Indigo Coastal Shanty, Ole Times Country Buffet, and Fox's Pizza Downtown Brunswick. The city's seafood industry is renowned, with shrimp boats docked at the wharf, and restaurants serving fresh catches.

Festivals and events are also a highlight, with the Brunswick Rockin' Stewbilee, the Rhythm on the River concert series, and the Mayfair drawing visitors throughout the year.

With its blend of history, culture, entertainment, and natural beauty, Brunswick, Georgia, offers a diverse range of attractions for visitors seeking a unique travel experience.

Politics and law enforcement

Brunswick, Georgia, is a city in and the county seat of Glynn County, in the US state of Georgia. The city is led by Mayor Cosby Johnson, who was elected in 2021 and is the second African-American mayor of Brunswick. The city manager is Regina McDuffie. Brunswick uses the council-manager model of municipal government, with the city commission consisting of five individuals, including the mayor, elected on a plurality-at-large basis.

The Brunswick Police Department is led by Chief Kevin Jones, who was sworn in on March 12, 2015. Jones has extensive experience in various divisions within the department, including Criminal Investigations, Support Services, Marine Patrol, and Honor Guard. The department strives to be an innovative and progressive organisation to meet the changing demands of the city. It recently achieved state recertification from the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police (GACP). The Brunswick Police Department is one of 138 state-certified law enforcement agencies in Georgia.

The Brunswick Police Department's mission is to:

> Provide quality law enforcement services using proactive enforcement, community partnerships, problem-solving and technology which creates a safe, secure and desirable living and working environment for the citizens, visitors and business community of Brunswick, Georgia.

The department's vision is to:

> Be a premier agency noted for integrity, professional law enforcement, community policing, and innovative crime fighting.

The Brunswick Police Department works to engage the community in a dialogue through programs such as Neighbourhood Watch, the Youth COP Summer Program, National Night Out, and the Citizen Observer Program.

Frequently asked questions