Cape St. George Island is a barrier island situated on Florida’s North Gulf Coast, south-southeast of St. Vincent Island, Florida, west of St. George Island and 8-10 miles south-southwest of the town of Apalachicola in Franklin County, Florida.
History
Various Indian cultures occupied St. George Island for hundreds of years prior to the arrival of Europeans. Pottery fragments dating from A.D. 750 to 1450 occasionally are found on older portions of the island. The first lighthouse was constructed at the west end of the island in 1833. A second lighthouse was constructed in 1848. Yet a third lighthouse was constructed in 1852.
Pine trees on Cape St. George Island were "catfaced" used to make turpentine from 1910 through 1916. During World War II the island served as a practice gunnery range for B-24 bombers stationed in nearby Apalachicola. From 1950 through 1956 the pine trees were again harvested for turpentine.
Cape St. George Island was purchaced in 1977 under the Environmentally Endangered Lands program to protect it from development and to contribute to the protection of Apalachicola Bay. The reserve's remoteness and wilderness qualities provide an opportunity to explore and enjoy a remnant of Florida's original natural landscape.
Cape St. George Island's pine trees were "catfaced" during a turpentining operation from 1910-1916 and again from 1950-1956. The old buildings of the turpentine camp are still in existence at the Government Dock.
In 1954, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers constructed the ship channel known as Bob Sikes Cut across St. George Island creating Cape St. George Island or "Little St. George Island" and enhanced its remoteness.
Geography
The island has extensive savannahs, old relic sand dune ridges and sand dunes and salt marshes. Ponds and marshes are found in the low swales between the old dune ridges. A small coastal hammock and willow swamp can also be found.
Vegetation
Cape St. George Island is covered by several plant communities. Scrub and sea oats on the newer dunes. Slash pine flatwoods are found in the low swales and savannahs. Scattered cabbage palmetto are found on overwash portions at the east and west ends of the island.
Wildlife
There are few mammals on the island due to the distance from the mainland, raccoons are the most common. However, birds are very diverse and abundant during migration in the spring and fall. In 1997 a population of Red Wolf was introduced to the island. Most notable are the endangered peregrine falcon and bald eagle. Threatened loggerhead sea turtles nest on the beach during the summer, as do oystercatchers and the endangered snowy plovers. Cottonmouths are common in the ponds and marshes.
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