Timber Rafts and Fishing Camps
St. George Island's waters became corridors for floating timber rafts, which traveled down the Apalachicola River. The island also hosted seasonal fishing and oystering camps, mostly established by local families and small-scale commercial operations.
Despite its natural abundance, the island remained largely undeveloped due to its remote location and exposure to hurricanes. For over a century, it was mostly known to fishermen, oystermen, and adventurous travelers willing to make the crossing.
Military Use During World War II
The United States military recognized the strategic potential of Florida’s Gulf coast during World War II. St. George Island was briefly used as a training site, likely for amphibious landing exercises and coastal defense.
Remnants of this era include rudimentary bunkers and observation points, now obscured by shifting sands and vegetation. Though it was not a major military base, the island was considered part of the larger coastal defense network protecting ports like Pensacola and Apalachicola. shutdown123