Cumberland Island Independent Hotels: Cumberland Island Hotel Guide

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.

Change your mind
Book hotels with free cancellation
Treat yourself
Sign in to save 10% or more on thousands of hotels
Sign in
Be picky
Search almost a million properties worldwide

Check prices for these dates

Tonight

30 Jan - 31 Jan

Tomorrow

This weekend

Next weekend

Our top choices for Cumberland Island Independent

Dining

Amelia Hotel at the Beach

Fernandina Beach

United States

Juli

Rp2.429.739 total

includes taxes & fees

23 Feb - 24 Feb

Restaurant

Ocean Coast Hotel at the Beach

Fernandina Beach

United States

Ron

On the beach, sun-loungers, beach umbrellas, fishing

Seaside Amelia Inn

Fernandina Beach

United States

Daniel

Rp2.948.328 total

includes taxes & fees

8 Feb - 9 Feb

Balcony

Ocean Inn and Suites

St. Simons Island

United States

Paul

Rp1.901.331 total

includes taxes & fees

8 Feb - 9 Feb

Front of property

Saint Simons Inn by the Lighthouse

St. Simons Island

United States

Julie

Rp2.275.864 total

includes taxes & fees

8 Feb - 9 Feb

Outdoor pool, open 9:00 AM to 11:00 PM, pool loungers

Magnolia Inn Kingsland

Kingsland

United States

JOSEPH

Rp765.201 total

includes taxes & fees

31 Jan - 1 Feb

Cocktail bar

Florida House Inn

Fernandina Beach Historic District

United States

Daniel

Rp2.617.800 total

includes taxes & fees

16 Feb - 17 Feb

View from property

Queens Court

Downtown St. Simons Island

United States

Joseph

Rp1.610.562 total

includes taxes & fees

8 Feb - 9 Feb

View all properties

Save an average of 15% on thousands of hotels when you're signed in

Sign up, it's free

Top Cumberland Island Hotel Reviews

Tru By Hilton Brunswick

Tru By Hilton Brunswick

10/10 Excellent

"Nice "

Extended Stay America Premier Suites - Jacksonville - Airport

Extended Stay America Premier Suites - Jacksonville - Airport

10/10 Excellent

"Front desk staff, Ashley T was absolutely the best!! Kind, helpful and so pleasant. We had a very late check in, issues with getting the blind down in our room and Ashley was quick to assist and had everything resolved in minutes. The bed was comfortable and the room and bathroom were clean. The “breakfast” was basic (individually wrapped muffins and granola bars) and no cold options like yogurt or hard boiled eggs. The coffee was decent. "

Explore a world of travel with Expedia

More ways to book

Book Independent in Cumberland Island on Expedia.com

64617c93-ed96-45a5-b587-cef9a0636a1f1a4c21ef-93c5-431a-ab7c-a8885c776f62