Tybee Island Lighthouse and Savannah, Georgia
The Tybee Island lighthouse has gone through many changes since it was first built around 1736. Storms took out the first lighthouse within five years and a the second lighthouse was constructed. in 1742. Like the first lighthouse the second lighthouse was still too close to the sea and erosion took over. A third lighthouse had to be built. It was built in 1773 and was further inland than the previous two. During the Civil War a major portion of the lighthouse was destroyed by fire. The fourth lighthouse was built by using the lower portion of the previous lighthouse since it was still in tact.
The Tybee Island lighthouse started using electricity in 1933 and was taken over by the Coast Guard after the death of Lighthouse Keeper George Jackson. Before the lighthouse had electricity the keepers had to live on sight and often had to climb the 178 stairs to relight the lamp.
Tybee Island lighthouse is one of the few historic sites that still has many of its buildings still on site. We climbed the 178 steps to the top of the lighthouse and saw an amazing view. We could see many of the homes on Tybee Island as well as see the beach. We even watched a freighter sail into port. Afterwards we toured the Light Keepers house. The house had many time period furnishings from when the Keepers lived in the house.
We then toured the Battery Museum. Mike kept thinking he should see batteries on display. LOL !! The Battery was placed around the Island for protection. It now houses many artifacts from the history of Tybee Island and Savannah. The items consisted of weaponry from the different wars to things from when Savannah and Tybee Island were just beginning to become a tourist site.
Tybee Island and Savannah, Georgia have a wonderful and exciting history!!
