Georgia Lighthouses. Beautiful and Historic!
Ranked #3,820 in Travel, #117,603 overall | Donates to Squidoo Charity Fund
My visit to Georgia Lighthouses
One unique lighthouse has a legend of the "waving girl" who greeted vessels for over 46 years. In all I was able to photograph four different Georgia lights and this lens will detail my visit to each of these lights.
Tybee Island Lighthouse
Georgia's Oldest Lighthouse
The lighthouse at Tybee Island is Georgias oldest and tallest lighthouse.The lighthouse is located several blocks off the northern end of Tybee Island. We drove around it several times looking for the right angle to photograph the lighthouse without getting all of the wires and other buildings in the photos. It is a stately looking black and white lighthouse that appears to be very well maintained.
The lighthouse and towers at Tybee Island have had a lot of bad luck over the years. The first tower was built off Tybee in 1733, but it soon collapsed in a storm. The second tower's life was cut short by encroaching seas and a third tower was constructed in 1773. At first these towers only helped navigation in the daylight, since they were not lit. The third tower was lit in 1790. In 1862 the Confederate forces torched the lighthouse to prevent the Union troops from using it. In 1886 a rare earthquake badly damaged the lighthouse. In 1867 the lighthouse was reconstructed using the 1773 structure as a base. It's First Order Fresnel Lens is still in use today.
The lighthouse has undergone several reconstructions during modern times making it one of the best maintained lighthouses in the United States. You can read more of the interesting history of the Tybee lighthouse in the link below under Great Links on Georgia Lighthouses.
Tybee Lighthouse Gifts
Designs from my Photographs
Tybee Lighthouse Journal
This great journal is a wonderful way to record the memories of your vacations. List the places you visited, sites that you saw and your impressions. As time passes by, you will be so glad that you took the time to document your trips.
Price: 12.49 
Tybee Island Lighthouse Messenger Bag
This handy messenger bag is great for travel. It has a flap that closes and inside pockets to help keep things organized.
Price: 24.99
Tybee Island Lighthouse Women's T-Shirt
A nice t-shirt is always a good way to remember good times. This t-shirt is perfect for the lighthouse lover.
Price: 20.99
Tybee Island Lighthouse Gifts
Tybee Island Lighthouse Pillow - 17 x 17 Pillow
Amazon Price: $32.95 (as of 07/06/2009)
Savannah's Old Harbor Light
Guiding Ships through Savannah River
I had read about a light in Savannah harbor that appeared to be more of a giant streetlight than a lighthouse, so I was anxious to see it.We were driving in downtown Savannah and I was describing the light to my husband while we were at a stoplight. I remembered it was on Bay street and just then I looked up and saw what I thought might be the light. My husband wasn't so sure, but he pulled into the park where it stood and sure enough it was the historic Savannah harbor light.
It is a beacon light that was erected in 1858 to aid in navigation on the Savannah river. It stands 77 feet above the river level and was illuminated by gas. It is a dark green metal and does look like an old fashioned street lamp. I was able to get several photographs of the light. The setting was perfect with the moss hanging off the trees. It seems to fit so well with the character of Savannah.
Cockspur Island
Waving Girl Legend
The lighthouse at Cockspur Island marks the entrance to the south channel of the Savannah River. Cockspur Island is just off the coast from Fort Pulaski and can be seen on the drive between Savannah, GA and Tybee Island.I could see the lighthouse from the bridge but was uncertain how I would get a good photograph. After some searching we found a small road that led back to an area where I could put on my telephoto lens and capture some great shots of this historic lighthouse.
The first lighthouse was built at Cockspur in 1736 and the current light was built in 1857. Although the lighthouse was right in the midst of a civil war battle it was able to survive the war. Lighthouse Friends details the history of the lighthouse and information on the lighthouse keepers over the years.
One interesting legend of the lighthouse is called the "waving girl". In the legend the lighthouse keepers sister greeted vessels passing the lighthouse with a wave of her handkerchief during the day and by waving the lantern at night.
Cockspur Lighthouse Gifts
Cockspur Island Lighthouse Tile Coaster
I collect coasters as a memory of my trips. They are fun to use and help to remember good times.
This coaster adds a touch of lighthouse decor to your home.
Price: 8.99
Cockspur Island Lighthouse Baseball Jersey
Price: 22.99
Cockspur Island Lighthouse Keepsake Box
This keepsake box is just the right size to hold tile coasters. It would make a great box to organize your coasters in the living area.
The box is also a great way to present a special trinket for a gift.
Price: 28.99
Cockspur Island Video
COCKSPUR ISLAND LIGHTHOUSE - GA
RAFAEL ALENCAR TAKES YOU INTO A VIDEO CLIP TOUR TO VISIT COCKSPUR ISLAND LIGHTHOUSE - GA
St Simons Island
The light at St Simons island is 104 feet tall and has a brick keepers house in front of the lighthouse. It is a working lighthouse that along with the keepers house (now a museum) is open to the public. The tower has 129 interior steps. The lighthouse has an interesting history. One lightkeeper was murdered on the grounds when he had an disagreement with his assistant. Another lightkeeper and his wife kept hearing unexplained footsteps in the tower, which sent their dog Jinx into a frenzy. To this day people still talk of hearing strange footsteps in the tower. Read more about the history in the link from lighthousefriend.com in the section Great Links on Georgia Lighthouses.I enjoyed our visit to St Simons island. It is a nice beach town with a street of tourist and artsy shops. A great place to visit and spend an afternoon!
St Simons Lighthouse Designs on a Variety of Products
St Simons Lighthouse Journal
Price: 12.49
St Simons Lighthouse Keepsake Box
Price: 28.99
St Simons Lighthouse Tote Bag
Price: 17.99
St Simons Lighthouse Women's Long Sleeve T-Shirt
Price: 24.99
Lighthouse Decor
Vote for your Favorite
LIGHTHOUSE BIRDHOUSE
Beckon birds to shelter with this lovely little li more...0 points
Lighthouse Windchime - Great Outdoor Living & Decor
Quaint little lighthouse tops this lovely wind chi more...0 points
Coastal Light Lighthouse Night Light For Home Decor and Lighthouse Enthusiast
Lighthouses were used to to light the way for boat more...0 points
Lighthouse "Beacon Point" Bathroom Décor
Feel like you are the Water,,, even when you are o more...0 points
Decorative Etched Mirror - Lighthouse Art Etching, Octagon Solid Oak Framed Wall Mirror, 20 inches
Individually etched with the most advanced etching more...0 points
LIGHT HOUSE LIGHTHOUSE BLUE SKY FRAMED OVAL WALL MIRROR
A dreamlike scene of a lighthouse on a clear blue more...0 points
Cape Lookout Lighthouse Nautical Ceiling Fan Pull Decor
A fun way to add some pizazz to an ordinary ceilin more...0 points
Lighthouse Charm
Georgia Lighthouse Gifts on Ebay
Great gifts for the Lighthouse Enthusiast
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand by
Books on Georgia Lighthouses
Georgia Lighthouse Puzzle
Lighthouse Gifts or Lighthouse Decor
These lenses show you some great choices for lighthouse gifts or lighthouse decor for your home.-
Lighthouse Kitchen Decor
-
Is it time to give you kitchen a make over? Do you love lighthouses? Consider a lighthouse themed decor for your kitchen. There are many great accessories available to bring lighthouse to your kitchen.
-
Lighthouses for your Garden
-
Do you love lighthouses? Are you looking for a great theme for your garden or patio? This lens will give you a wide variety of ideas on decorating the outdoors with lighthouses. From Welcome Signs to Bird Houses you will find lots of great ideas to...
Great links on Georgia Lighthouses
- Cockspur Island
- This link gives you information about the lighthouse at Cockspur Island. Find out interesting details on the lighthouse keepers throughout the years and how the lighthouse survived the civil war.
- Lighthouse
- This site contains information on the Tybee Island lightstation.
- Savannah Harbor Light Lighthouse, Georgia at Lighthousefriends.com
- Savannah Harbor Light Lighthouse, Georgia Lighthouses, Photographs, pictures, history, location, travel information, maps, description, hotel, Lighthousefriends.com
- Saint Simons Lighthouse, Georgia at Lighthousefriends.com
- Saint Simons Lighthouse, Georgia Lighthouses, Photographs, pictures, history, location, travel information, maps, description, hotel, Lighthousefriends.com
More Lighthouse Lens
Do you love lighthouses? Here are 5 more lenses for your reading pleasure!-
Lighthouses on Lake Michigan
-
I love to photograph lighthouses so last week we took a trip to Lake Michigan. I was amazed to find out that there are more lighthouses along the coast of Michigan than any other state in the US. We were able to visit six lighthouses during our visit...
-
Oregon Lighthouses
-
Lighthouses along the Oregon Coast. There is something so beautiful about a lighthouse. I am not even sure what it is. Could it be the history behind them? Or the way they stand out solid and true on the rocky shoreline? A Beacon of Light, of hop...
-
Lighthouses of Door County, Wisconsin
-
Last August we were looking for an escape from the hot, muggy 100 degree St. Louis weather and decided on a trip to Door County, Wisconsin. Not only were we happy with the pleasant temperatures (upper 70's) but I was delighted to find that Door Count...
-
South Carolina Lighthouses
-
Lighthouse Friends.com lists 10 lighthouses in South Carolina. On a recent visit I was able to photograph 4 of them. Each of the four was unique. There was the modern lighthouse in Harbour Town on Hilton Head Island, an unusual square shaped light on...
-
Jupiter Lighthouse through the eye of a Camera
-
Every year we visit Jupiter, Florida to watch the Cardinals Spring Training. When we're not at the baseball fields, my favorite site in Jupiter is the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse. It is a wonderful red lighthouse that can be seen from many of the restau...
Take a minute to rate this lens
- Rate this lens:
- Email it
- Favorite it
- Lensroll it
Do you love lighthouses? Tell us about a favorite lighthouse.
amandascloset0 wrote...
I love you lenses. Each one is more beautiful than the last. Georgia is beautiful countryside, unfortunatly I've never visited one of their lighthouses. After reading your lens I think one of these would be a nice day trip for us this summer. Another 5 stars and fav!!
Posted May 22, 2009
24websurf wrote...
I grew up going to Savannah every year. Now it's my son's favorite destination. The last time we were there the Tybee Lighthouse light went out and had to be replaced by the Coast Guard. Savannah is a beautiful place with wonderful history. Thank you for the memories.
Posted May 13, 2009
Joan4 wrote...
Another beautiful lens! Your photography is lovely! Savannah and St Simons both beautiful - I have seen those! Now want to go to Tybee Island!
Posted March 04, 2009
Rinchen Chodron wrote
Very interesting lens - I'm going to vote for it on Squidom!
Posted January 24, 2009
My Blog
Discussions on Favorite Photographs
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byLighthouse Blog
Lighthouse Musings
This blog is dedicated to my photos and comments on lighthouses I have visited.
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byHere is some information about me
Lensmaster mbgphoto, aka Mary Beth Granger, has been a member since October 9 2008, has rated 834 lenses, favorited 34, and has created 40 lenses from scratch. Mary Beth Granger donates their royalties to Squidoo Charity Fund. This member's top-ranked page is "10 Interesting Places to Visit in Missouri". See all my lenses
My Bio
On one of my 60th birthday cards was this phrase Sometimes the best things in life happen afer you've done what you're "supposed" to do and are free to follow your dreams That is exactly how I feel about this stage of my life. I've done the corporate business world (for over 30 years) and now I'm looking for new avenues to express myself. I wanted something totally different and have decided to combine my love of photography and love of travel! Squidoo gives me a great outlet for my photos and gives me an opportunity to share my adventures. Welcome to my journey!
Check out these great lenses...
-
- Lighthouses on Lake Michigan
I love to photograph lighthouses so last week we took a trip to Lake Michigan. I was amazed to find out that there are more lighthouses along the coast of Michigan than any other state in the US. We were able to visit six lighthouses during our visit... view lens -
- The Wonders of the Butterfly World
Butterflies are interesting creatures and I've always loved watching them, but really knew little about them. A year ago I started volunteering at The Butterfly House in Chesterfield, MO and my education on butterflies began. They are fascinating cr... view lens -
- My Dad-My Hero
There is so much in life that I have learned from my Dad. He was in many ways a very simple man, but yet he had strong values that he passed down by example to his children. Dad has been gone for three years now, and I really miss him. As I prepare... view lens -
- mbgphoto's lensography
Welcome to my lensography. I am Mary Beth Granger, aka mbgphoto or Grandma MaryBeth to three special little girls. I have been married to my best friend, Ray, for 40 years and we have two wonderful children, Linda and John. I retired three years ago... view lens -
- Jupiter Lighthouse through the eye of a Camera
Every year we visit Jupiter, Florida to watch the Cardinals Spring Training. When we're not at the baseball fields, my favorite site in Jupiter is the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse. It is a wonderful red lighthouse that can be seen from many of the restau... view lens
by mbgphoto
On one of my 60th birthday cards was this phrase Sometimes the best things in life happen afer you've done what you're "supposed" to do and are fr... (more)
