Darien, the county seat for McIntosh County, was incorporated December 18, 1818. Originally called New Inverness by Scottish founders, its name was changed to “Fort Darien” and then Darien. Due to the city’s location at the mouth of the Altamaha River, Darien was referred to as “Queen of the Delta”.

During the Civil War, the city of Darien was nearly burned down by a raid of Federal troops stationed nearby. Afterwards, most of the buildings in Darien were reconstructed.