Georgia Lighthouses

There are six lighthouses on the eastern Georgia coast or waterway. Three are active. These include the 1857 Cockspur Island Lighthouse, the 1867 Tybee Island Lighthouse, the 1820 Sapelo Island Lighthouse, the 1877 Spelo Island Range Front Lighthouse, the 1872 St. Simons Lighthouse and the 1838 Little Cumberland Island Lighthouse. A seventh light is actually an 1858 cast iron beacon in Emmett Park on the Savannah River. Some are owned by the U.S. National Park Service, accessible by boat only. Others are owned by their respective Historical Associations and may be open to tours.

History

These 19th-century lighthouses served a practical purpose: to light the way for ships coming in and out of the harbors or ports along the Georgian coast. Their sizes and heights vary, but they all had a lens that brightened the light from the tower and could be seen by ships many miles away at sea. Without them, many ships, commercial and passenger, would have suffered great losses, especially at night or during inclement weather. Lighthouses are featured around the world that go back thousands of years, but the Georgia lighthouses remain one of America's most beloved landmarks. Due to erosion, high tides and ocean currents, some of the lighthouses are no longer located on land and are in danger of destruction by natural forces. Efforts are being taken by preservation associations to raise funds to protect and restore these monuments to waterway travel. In the United States, preservation efforts are conducted under the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act.

Function

The main function of the lighthouses was to serve as a beacon to ocean shipping, to steer travelers away from dangerous rocks and shoals, and to be a welcome sight to those miles from land. Often the lighthouse keeper had a home close by and he was stationed there, with or without his family, for long periods of time. His job was to maintain the lighthouse, clean the lens and make sure that all stayed in working order. If the lighthouse was erected away from the mainland or on an island, the lighthouse keeper could be a part-time farmer and raise fruits and vegetables to sustain him. Otherwise, he would be allotted a certain amount of supplies to last from six months to a year, in addition to wages.

Features

The Cockspur Island Lighthouse is 46 feet tall with a round brick tower with lantern and gallery. It is painted white. The innkeeper's house has been destroyed. This is one of the lighthouses that is threatened by ocean destruction. The Tybee Island Lighthouse is 144 feet tall. It has a tapered octagonal brick tower that is painted white in the middle and black on the top and bottom. It is the oldest lighthouse in the southern United States. The lighthouse keeper's house has been restored and is open to visitors as a museum. Visitors can climb to the top of the lighthouse. Located in a nature reserve near the southern tip of Sapelo Island, the Sapelo Island Lighthouse is 65 feet tall with red and white markings. It is accessible by ferry and is open to tours. The St. Simons Lighthouse is 104 feet tall, painted all white, located on land and is one of the active lighthouses. It is also open to tours. All the lighthouses were constructed of brick and concrete on solid foundations, a testament to their long existence.

Prevention/Solution

Several of the Georgia lighthouses are in danger of disappearing and are listed as Places in Peril, including the Cockspur Island Lighthouse. The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation, the Tybee Island Historical Society, the Georgia State Parks, and the Coastal Georgia Historical Society are among the groups in the forefront that welcome volunteers, donations and action to promote awareness of the plight of the lighthouses if public attention is not fostered. Many people do not realize that private funds are needed to preserve these American landmarks. Once they are gone, they are gone. Luckily, some of the lighthouses that are still functioning and are located on land that offers tours make for a wonderful family outing and a day of exploration. With innkeeper houses or lighthouse stations converted to museums, visitors can read stories and see what it was like to live as a lighthouse keeper.

Expert Insight

There is something intriguing about lighthouses. They represent a certain mystery and historic reminder of their purpose in guiding and saving lives of travelers at sea. Even though many are no longer functioning, they remain to ignite our curiosity. Whether one is able to visit a lighthouse by way of tour boat, get up close, or is able to climb the many, many steps inside to the top and view the landscape below, they will continue to remind us of the past. Our fascination with the sea and all that it involves, including lighthouses, will help to maintain and pass on an awareness of the importance of their preservation for all time.

Resources

• Georgia Lighthouses