Tybee Island Lighthouse

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Meddin Drive (just Off U.s. Highway 80), Tybee Island, Georgia 31328(912) 786-5801

Description: The historic Tybee Island Lighthouse has guided mariners safely into the mouth of the Savannah River since 1732. One of America’s most intact light stations, the grounds of the Tybee Island Light Station stretch five acr...Read More

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Tybee Lighthouse Photo - Tybee Island Lighthouse, Tybee Island, Georgia

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Results 1-7of 7 Reviews

Tybee Island Lighthouse

by Valerie_C

Lawrenceville, Georgia

March 5, 2008

Best of IgoUgo We've visited the Tybee Island Lighthouse multiple times during multiple trips to Savannah. For only $6 (and free parking!) you can climb the lighthouse and tour other houses on the grounds.The lighthouse was built in the 1700s and, thanks to ...Read more

From journal Savannah, GA

Tybee Island Lighthouse

by beachbumm63

delanco, New Jersey

May 11, 2006

The Tybee Island Lighthouse was a pretty cool place to go. If you're in good shape a fun thing to do is take the hike all the way to the top of the lighthouse. The view is amazing from there and you can see Fort Screvren.(I think, but it might be a ...Read more

From journal Savannah Spree

Tybee Island Lighthouse

by vampirefan

Charlotte, North Carolina

March 19, 2005

Best of IgoUgo The original Tybee Island Lighthouse was built in 1733 after General James Oglethorpe founded the colony of Georgia. He ordered the wooden structure to be built as a beacon to guide ships into the Savannah River. It was eventually destroyed by ...Read more The original Tybee Island Lighthouse was built in 1733 after General James Oglethorpe founded the colony of Georgia. He ordered the wooden structure to be built as a beacon to guide ships into the Savannah River. It was eventually destroyed by storms and rebuilt several more times. Finally, in 1791, it was rebuilt and lit by a lamp. That same year it was destroyed by fire.

A more studier brick structure was built in 1857. But by 1861, it had been burnt as Confederate troops retreated. The last structure was built in 1867 and fitted with its first-order Fresnel lens, which is still housed in the lighthouse today. In 1948, after the last light-keeper, George B. Jackson, died, the Coast Guard took over the lighthouse. In 1987, the Coast Guard leased the lighthouse to the city of Tybee Island and the Historical Society. It is still used as an aid to private navigation.

Today, the lighthouse and keeper’s quarters have been restored to their glory. In 1999, after extensive restoration, the lighthouse was relit in a public ceremony. Grace Jackson Weaver, daughter of keeper George B. Jackson, threw the switch that relit the beacon. The former keeper’s quarters have been turned into a gift shop that houses information on the lighthouse. The assistant’s quarters serves as a theater where you can see a film on the history of the lighthouse. Visitors can pay an admission fee and climb the 178 stairs to the top. From here you can get a bird’s-eye view of the island and ocean. There is free parking adjacent to the lighthouse. It is open every day but Tuesday and some holidays. If you do happen to arrive on Tuesday, like we did, still make sure to stop and walk around the structure.

This group has shown what restoration work can achieve. It is hoped that the same can be done for the Morris Lighthouse and others. For information on the lighthouse, please go to www.tybeelighthouse.com. They gladly accept donations for ongoing restoration work. The Tybee Island was recently featured as part of the Lighthouses of the Southeast stamp set by the US Post Office.

To get to the lighthouse, just follow Highway 80 from Savannah to Tybee Island. Tybee is about 15 minutes from Savannah, and it is a beautiful drive. You just follow the signs leading to the lighthouse. While here, plan on spending the day at Tybee Island. The island itself is absolutely beautiful and offers plenty of things do as well as dining and lodging options. You can visit www.tybeeisland.com for more information and to obtain a visitor's guide.

From journal Beautiful Lowcountry Lighthouses

Tybee Island Lighthouse

by chadk78

Blacksburg, South Carolina

March 2, 2005

This 19th-century lighthouse has been well preserved, along with several of the original other buildings, such as the light keeper’s house. A small museum and gift shop are located at the bottom. Visitors may climb the 185 stairs to the top and ...Read more

From journal The City Too Beautiful to Destroy

Tybee Island

by karenkayp

Byron, Minnesota

December 29, 2003

Tybee Island is located approximately 18 miles east of Savannah. This island has a 3-mile-long beach that's backed by sea-oat-covered sand dunes and is perfect for sunbathing and people-watching. We visited this beach because we had heard that sand ...Read more

From journal Hilton Head in November

Tybee Island Lighthouse

by EPearl

Langhorne, Pennsylvania

August 20, 2002

For the lighthouse lovers among you, here's another place to stop during your travels. It took us a while to find it because we had to wind our way through a residential neighborhood before we actually found it. As it turns out, it is actually the ...Read more

From journal Georgian Coast

Tybee Island Lighthouse

by moonloverz

Asheville, North Carolina

July 12, 2001

Beautiful view from quite a hike up the stairs. I forget how many flights the guide told us it was, but it was quite the workout! And getting on the top "walk-around" portion of the outside of the lighthouse was a bit nerve-wracking. There was ...Read more

From journal Weekend at Tybee Island, GA

Tybee Island Lighthouse

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