Tybee Island in Chatham County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
Tybee Lighthouse
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Photographed By Mike Stroud, April 2008
1. Tybee Lighthouse Marker
A lighthouse on Tybee was one of the first public structures in Georgia. Completed in 1736 by William Blithman of cedar piles and brickwork, its 90 foot height made it the loftiest in America. Destroyed in a storm, it was replaced by another built by Thomas Sumner in 1742 which Oglethorpe called "much the best Building of that kind in America." It was almost entirely rebuilt in 1757 by Cornelius McCarty and James Weyms. In 1773 John Mulryne built the third lighthouse on a third site. The Mulryne lighthouse forms the base of the present structure, making part of it of Colonial construction. In 1791 Georgia ceded it with 5 acres to the Federal government. Partially destroyed by the Irish Jasper Greens of Savannah during Union occupation of the island, it was repaired and today is one of the famous lighthouses on the Eastern seaboard.
Erected 1958 by Georgia Historical Commission. (Marker Number 25-59.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Georgia Historical Society, and the Lighthouses series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1736.
Location. 32° 1.333′ N, 80° 50.679′ W. Marker is on Tybee Island, Georgia
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Keeper's Garden (within shouting distance of this marker); Head Keepers Cottage 1881 (within shouting distance of this marker); The Middle Passage UNESCO Site of Memory Tybee Island, Georgia Routes of Enslaved Peoples: (within shouting distance of this marker); The Unesco Routes of Enslaved Peoples: (within shouting distance of this marker); The Middle Passage and Tybee Island, Georgia (within shouting distance of this marker); Summer Kitchen 1812 (within shouting distance of this marker); Tybee Island (within shouting distance of this marker); First Assistant Keeper's Cottage 1885 (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tybee Island.
Also see . . . Lighthouses of Georgia~Tybee Island Light. New Georgia Encyclopedia website entry (Submitted on April 28, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.)
Photographed By Mike Stroud, October 2003
2. Tybee Lighthouse
Photographed By Mike Stroud, 2008
3. Tybee Lighthouse and keepers' house
Photographed By Mike Stroud, 2011
4. Tybee Lighthouse and Marker
Photographed By Craig Doda, November 12, 2022
5. Tybee Lighthouse Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on November 26, 2022. It was originally submitted on April 28, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,503 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 28, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 4. submitted on July 7, 2011, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 5. submitted on November 15, 2022, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.
