Pine Trail Loop / Tabby Ruins Site

The Tabby Ruins are one of the areas of interest inside Wormsloe State Historic Site.The ruins themselves are the remains of a fortified home constructed in the late 1730's by Noble Jones. Walls were built of a mixture of lime, sand, water and oyster shells that hardened into a nearly impenetrable barrier. Construction of the home took six years, and used more than 8000 bushels each of lime, sand and oyster shells.The remains aren't in great condition, but the fact that so much of the buildings still stand nearly 300 years later are a testament to their ability to withstand not just attacks, but also weathering and aging.Nearby the Tabby Ruins are the family gravesite of Wymberley Jones De Renne, who planted over 400 live oak trees ont he property in the early 1890's to commemorate the birth of his son. These trees are the ones making up the scenic arched entryway to the park, as well as what line a portion of the Pine Trail.The Pine Trail is the only way to reach the Tabby Ruins. The 1 mile loop trail begins at the Museum building and follows a flat course through live oak and longleaf pine forest to the ruins at the edge of Jones' Narrows, a salt marsh along the edge of the Skidaway River. A wooden observation deck overlooking the salt marsh also sits near the ruins. While the shortest route to the Tabby Ruins heading left at the trailhead and heading directly to and from the ruins, the Pine Trail continues in a flat scenic loop that from the ruins heads toward the Colonial Life Area where it meets up with the Battery Trail. Visitors looking for a lengthier hike can turn left at the Colonial Life Area and embark on the 3 mile loop Battery Trail that eventually ends back at the parking area.The Pine Trail is easy and mostly flat. There are no amenities along the trail. Water and bathrooms are only available at the museum building.