Georgia has a handful of lighthouses that are worth taking the time to explore. There is so much more to a lighthouse than what normally meets the eye. Whether it be the history behind each lighthouse, the purpose, or even just how long it’s been standing, these beacons of light are much more valuable to our state than we realize. That’s why we recommend this mini road trip in Georgia to visit two of the most beautiful lighthouses around.
The entire trip takes about 2 hours driving time between the two lighthouses, plus driving time from where you begin your journey and stoppage time at each lighthouse. We recommend spending an entire day bouncing between the two, plus enjoying a bit of the local scene and area restaurants, too.
The Tybee Island Light, also known as the Tybee Lighthouse, is located on Tybee Island, Georgia, right at the mouth of the Savannah River.
TripAdvisor Ron Cogswell This particular lighthouse is a special place because it is just one of a handful of 18th century lighthouses that still exist in North America.
The Tybee Island Light Station was first constructed and first lit in 1736.
Flickr Ron Cogswell It stands at 144-feet in height, on a 5-acre historically preserved area that guests can wander around and enjoy.
Modern marine navigation techniques eventually outgrew the need for a lighthouse of this caliber, so the lighthouse eventually stopped serving its intended purpose.
Flickr T. However, just three weeks after it became electrically driven, it was donated by the United States Government to the Tybee Island Historical Society.
Today, guests can visit the Tybee Lighthouse and climb up to the very top for unobstructed views of the Georgia coastline.
Flickr Travis The current black and white detailing on the outside mimics the markings that were initially used back in 1916.
On the southern tip of St. Simons Island, Georgia stands the St. Simons Island Lighthouse.
Flickr Evangelio Gonzalez This lighthouse, however, has quite a sordid and dark past attached to it.
The original lighthouse which was built in 1810, stood at only 75-feet in height and was topped by a 10-foot oil-burning lamp.
Flickr Neal Wellons During the American Civil War, military troops employed a Naval blockade around the coast, and the Confederate soldiers were forced to abandon the area.
Retreating troops ended up destroying the lighthouse in order to prevent Union troops from being able to utilize it for navigating their own warships.
Flickr Evangleio Gonzalez The U.S. government ended up constructing a new lighthouse in order to replace the old one, building it to the very west of the original location, this time standing at 104-feet in height.
Today, visitors can visit the new lighthouse and enjoy some of the unique history that it holds.
Flickr Kevin Schraer Just be warned, there is a rumor that this lighthouse is haunted by the ghost of light keeper Frederick Osborn who was killed in a duel with assistant light keeper John Stephens in 1880.
Visiting two of Georgia’s lighthouses in one day will be the perfect way to enjoy a bit of state history that you may not have already explored.
Google Maps To get the road map directions for the mini trip, click on the link below.
Road Trip Directions
TripAdvisor Ron Cogswell
This particular lighthouse is a special place because it is just one of a handful of 18th century lighthouses that still exist in North America.
Flickr Ron Cogswell
It stands at 144-feet in height, on a 5-acre historically preserved area that guests can wander around and enjoy.
Flickr T.
However, just three weeks after it became electrically driven, it was donated by the United States Government to the Tybee Island Historical Society.
Flickr Travis
The current black and white detailing on the outside mimics the markings that were initially used back in 1916.
Flickr Evangelio Gonzalez
This lighthouse, however, has quite a sordid and dark past attached to it.
Flickr Neal Wellons
During the American Civil War, military troops employed a Naval blockade around the coast, and the Confederate soldiers were forced to abandon the area.
Flickr Evangleio Gonzalez
The U.S. government ended up constructing a new lighthouse in order to replace the old one, building it to the very west of the original location, this time standing at 104-feet in height.
Flickr Kevin Schraer
Just be warned, there is a rumor that this lighthouse is haunted by the ghost of light keeper Frederick Osborn who was killed in a duel with assistant light keeper John Stephens in 1880.
Google Maps
To get the road map directions for the mini trip, click on the link below.
Tybee Island Light Station: 30 Meddin Dr, Tybee Island, GA 31328
St. Simons Island Lighthouse Museum: 610 Beachview Dr, Saint Simons Island, GA 31522
Have you ever visited these two lighthouses before? Share with us your experience in the comments section!
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