Tybee Island - Savannah, GA

Tybee Island Light Station

Built: 1736, 1742, 1773, 1867

Construction: 1st - Wood

2nd - Stone & Wood

3rd - Brick w/ Wood Stairs, 4th - Brick & Cast Iron

Status: Active (white, fixed light night signature)

Height: 1st - 90 feet, 2nd - 124, 3rd - 100 feet, 4th - 154 feet

Location: Tybee Island, Savannah, GA. South side of Savannah River entrance. Northeast corner of Tybee Island.

Access: From Savanna, take 80 East to Tybee Island. You can't miss this Light.

All Photographs by: Keith W. Churill

Lens / Light: In the 1790's a large metal disc with large candles were used. These candles were later replaced with (16) whale oil lamps. A 8 foot Second Order Fresnel lens was installed in 1857. In 1867 a 9 foot First Order Fresnel lens was installed with the final reconstruction. In 1933 Kerosene lamps were replaced with electric. Shown above is the First Order Fresnel lens with the current 1,000 watt electric bulb.

Lighthouse History: Originally constructed in 1736, the wooden light house was too close to the shoreline. At that time it was considered the tallest structure in America. The original light was washed away in August of 1741. Construction of a second light was completed in 1742. This second light was also too close to the Atlantic.

Construction of a third lighthouse, further inland, was completed in 1773. This third lighthouse was burned in 1861 by confederates at Fort Pulaski. This was done to prevent it's use by approaching Federal forces. Union Troops repaired the light and used it to monitor Rebel forces until its surrender in 1862.

In 1866 reconstruction began using the lower 60 feet of the 1773 light. There was 94 feet of cast iron added to this foundation which currently stands. It's light could be seen from 18 miles away.

Area Attractions: This Lighthouse can be visited and toured. All of the support buildings are restored and intact making this is a very nice light to visit. You can also climb to the top for a very nice view if the Atlantic and Savanna River entrance.

Tybee Island Historic Society, P.O. Box 366, Tybee Island, GA 31328 Ph# (912) 786-5801