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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Vacation Homes in Cumberland Island

Vacation Home in East Beach

Scott C.

Vacation Home in East End

morgan C.

SAR 4,301 total

includes taxes & fees

6 Dec - 7 Dec

Vacation Home in East Beach

"Marsh View on East Beach was nothing short of amazing! The house was spacious and clean. Everything we needed was there. Plenty of space for us. The host communicated well. The beds were comfortable. Plenty of showers and bathrooms for the number of bedrooms. View was incredible, especially from the upstairs screened porch. Quiet neighborhood, close to everything, including restaurants. The beach is just a short walk. "

Laura W.

SAR 3,340 total

includes taxes & fees

4 Dec - 5 Dec

Vacation Home in St. Simons Island

lawrence n.

Vacation Home in Saint Simons Heights

James A.

Vacation Home in St. Simons Island

Lindsay A.

SAR 804 total

includes taxes & fees

4 Dec - 5 Dec

Vacation Home in St. Simons Island

Candice C.

SAR 804 total

includes taxes & fees

4 Dec - 5 Dec

Vacation Home in St. Simons Island

Roy C.

SAR 1,289 total

includes taxes & fees

7 Dec - 8 Dec

Vacation Home in Saint Simons Island

Machelle H.

SAR 1,360 total

includes taxes & fees

7 Dec - 8 Dec

Vacation Home in St. Simons Island

Sarah R.

SAR 3,104 total

includes taxes & fees

6 Dec - 7 Dec

Indoor pool, 2 outdoor pools, open 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM, pool umbrellas

Vacation Home in Fernandina Beach

Mary

SAR 837 total

includes taxes & fees

6 Dec - 7 Dec

Vacation Home in Saint Simons Island

Logan H.

SAR 1,906 total

includes taxes & fees

4 Dec - 5 Dec

Vacation Home in St. Simons Island

Karen C.

SAR 1,702 total

includes taxes & fees

4 Dec - 5 Dec

Vacation Home in St. Simons Island

Sara Lynn B.

SAR 1,683 total

includes taxes & fees

4 Dec - 5 Dec

Vacation Home in Fernandina Beach

Jerry C.

SAR 3,964 total

includes taxes & fees

8 Dec - 9 Dec

Vacation Home in Fernandina Beach

SAR 3,130 total

includes taxes & fees

4 Dec - 5 Dec

Vacation Home in Fernandina Beach

SAR 3,635 total

includes taxes & fees

4 Dec - 5 Dec

Vacation Home in Saint Simons Island

Bill R.

Vacation Home in American Beach

Erin O.

SAR 7,027 total

includes taxes & fees

30 Dec - 31 Dec

Vacation Home in Fernandina Beach

Betsy C.

SAR 4,743 total

includes taxes & fees

26 Dec - 27 Dec

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Top Cumberland Island Hotel Reviews

Best Western Plus Jekyll Island

10/10 Excellent

"Very clean."

Days Inn & Suites by Wyndham Jekyll Island

10/10 Excellent

"The breakfast menus said continental - wasn’t expecting anything special- somehow this breakfast was the best breakfast. I don’t eat sausage - I ate 5 pieces. My daughter doesn’t eat eggs- she went back for seconds. Everything in this breakfast was mouthwatering ! The location was excellent and the staff was very friendly! I think her name was Leslie when we checked in was really sweet and helpful- I would definitely recommend this hotel !! "