Tybee Island in Chatham County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

Fort Screven District

1898-1945

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 12, 2022

1. Fort Screven District Marker

Inscription. The Fort Screven District is a nationally recognized Historic District. The first buildings to be built for Fort Screven were the six Endicott Period Batteries, that would be used for coastal defense. All of which were constructed between the years of 1899 to 1900.

With the advent of the airplane, Endicott Batteries soon became obsolete, and during World War I, all of the guns were dismantled and sent to Europe. Even though the fort was still classified as a Costal Artillery base, troops trained at Fort Screven during this time. It wasn't until the end of World War I when the 8th Infantry was stationed at Fort Screven that it became a true infantry base.

During World War II Fort Screven was once again given a new purpose. It became the only U.S. Army Engineer Diving and Salvage Training School in the nation, training engineers in port repair and construction as well as underwater demolition.

Fort Screven, which was comprised of 134 acres and 265 buildings, was deactivated in October 1945, and sold to the Town of Savannah Beach in November 1945 for the sum of $200,000.

Caption (top) Battery Brumby built 1898

Erected by City

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

of Tybee Island • Tybee Island Historical Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • War, World I • War, World II. A significant historical year for this entry is 1898.

Location. 32° 1.08′ N, 80° 50.785′ W. Marker is on Tybee Island, Georgia, in Chatham County. It is at the intersection of Van Horne Avenue and North Campbell Avenue, on the right when traveling north on Van Horne Avenue. Marker is in front of the Tybee Island Guard House. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 31 Van Horne Ave, Tybee Island GA 31328, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Georgia’s Coastal Plain, on the Georgia Coast and the Golden Isles,

in Greater Savannah,

and on the Sea Islands.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 12, 2022

2. Fort Screven District Marker

of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Fort Screven (within shouting distance of this marker); Brutus/Sarah Young (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Enlisted Men’s Barracks- 1899-1910 (about 600 feet away); Fort Screven Fire Station- 1911 (about 700 feet away); Original Gilyard Cottage Site (about 700 feet away); Regular Army Values the Girl Scouts (about 700 feet away); First Girl Scout Troop at Fort Screven Formed in 1933 (about 700 feet away); Fort Screven Bakery - 1914 (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tybee Island.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 18, 2022. It was originally submitted on June 18, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 564 times since then and 55 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 18, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.