SW DQ-294 Tybee Island Lighthouse

Since 1736, the Tybee Island Lighthouse has been guiding mariners safe entrance into the Savannah River for over 270 years. It is situated next to the Savannah River Entrance, on the northeast end of Tybee Island, Georgia.

The current lighthouse is the fourth tower at this station, though neither of the its first two predecessors were lit. The first tower was built at the direction of James Oglethorpe and was constructed of wood; erected in 1736, it was felled by a storm in 1741.

The Tybee Island Lighthouse is one of America's most intact having all of its historic support buildings on its five-acre site. Rebuilt several times the current lightstation displays its 1916 day mark with 178 stairs and a First Order Fresnel lens (nine feet tall).

In 1933 the tower was electrified. The beacon was automated in 1972.

In 1999 a major restoration project was begun. As part of this project the tower was repainted in the 1916-1966 black-white-black daymark. The beacon is still a functioning navigational aid, still using its original lens.

This postcard came from Margie (17 September 2014) Swap-bot.