Dungeness

Dungeness is a historic plantation on Cumberland Island in Georgia with the remains of a brick and columned mansion. The grounds stretch along the island coast and are surrounded by old oaks and landscaped gardens.

A general from the Revolutionary War built his retirement home here in 1784. Later the estate was rebuilt in the 19th century by a wealthy northern family and damaged repeatedly by fire.

The name Dungeness comes from a coastal headland in England and was adopted by later owners. Today visitors see ruins of a columned mansion that served as a private retreat for a family from the steel industry.

The ruins lie in the southern part of the island and are reachable on foot from the dock via a shaded path. Visitors should allow several hours for island excursions and bring enough water.

The walls of the ruins are overgrown with wild vines and ivy, giving the site an overgrown appearance. Wild horses often roam through the gardens and graze among the old trees.