Tybee Island Lighthouse
Originally back in 1736 a 90 foot tower made of wood was built here.
Built to help in navigation it was the tallest structure of it's kind in the usa but washed away in a 1741 storm.
The tower was rebuilt stronger this time using stone and wood but again was washed away.
In 1773 a third tower was built this time of brick and was 100 feet tall. The inside was made of wood. The lighting was candles with reflectors eventually switched to 16 whale oil lamps. An 8 foot fresnel lens was added in 1857 and in 1933 electricity was added. There hasn't been an on site light keeper since 1947.
In the civil war the inside was burned out to prevent the use of it by the union army. Rebuilt this tme using the original 60 feet to a hight of 154 feet.
Georgia > Photos >
Tybee Island
[More photos of Tybee Island]
.
.
