Tybee Island in Chatham County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
The 1st Tybee Island Day Mark The 2nd Tybee Island Day Mark 1742-1768
Photographed by Craig Doda, November 12, 2022
1. The 1st Tybee Island Day Mark - The 2nd Tybee Island Day Mark 1742-1768 Marker
When James Oglethorpe established the British colony in 1733, he recognized the need for a lighthouse on Georgia's coast, and and ordered that one be built on Tybee Island. When the wooden tower was completed in 1736, it stood 90 feet tall and was the tallest structure of its kind in America. Unfortunately, the tower was constructed too close to the ocean's fury, and it fell during a severe storm in 1741.
The 2nd Tybee Island Day Mark 1742-1768
A second lighthouse was constructed on Tybee Island in March of 1742. It stood 94 feet tall and had a 30-foot signal flag on its top, giving it a total height of 124 feet. Oglethorpe called the second Tybee Light, "Much the best building of that kind in America". Like the first Tybee Light, the second would be built too close to the ocean and would also fall victim to storms in 1768.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Colonial Era • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Lighthouses series list. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1736.
Location. 32° 1.34′ N, 80° 50.734′ W. Marker is on Tybee Island, Georgia, in Chatham County. It can be reached from Meddin Drive south of Taylor Street, on
this page online
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 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: The 3rd Tybee Island Day Mark Lighthouse 1773-1861 Damage to the 3rd Tybee Lighthouse 1861 (here, next to this marker); Tybee Front Range Light Front Range Light (here, next to this marker); Savannah River Light (here, next to this marker); The 3rd Tybee Lighthouse Survives Destruction (here, next to this marker); Journal of the Light-House Station (here, next to this marker); Fuel Storage Building 1890 (here, next to this marker); The 4th Tybee Island Lighthouse 1867-Present (here, next to this marker); Life at the Tybee Island Light Station (here, next to this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tybee Island.
Also see . . . Tybee Island Light Station & Museum. (Submitted on November 23, 2022.)
Photographed by Craig Doda, November 12, 2022
2. The 1st Tybee Island Day Mark - The 2nd Tybee Island Day Mark 1742-1768 Marker
Photographed by Craig Doda, November 12, 2022
3. Tybee Island Light
Credits. This page was last revised on November 23, 2022. It was originally submitted on November 18, 2022, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 253 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 18, 2022, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
