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

The Waving Girl

Photographed By Mike Stroud, January 2008

1. The Waving Girl Marker

Inscription. For 44 years, Florence Martus (1868-1943) lived on nearby Elba Island with her brother, the lighthouse keeper, and no ship arrived for Savannah or departed from 1887 to 1931 without her waving a handkerchief by day or a lantern by night. Throughout the years, the vessels in return watched for and saluted this quiet little woman. Few people ever met her yet she became the source of romantic legends when the story of her faithful greetings was told in ports all over the world. After her retirement the Propeller Club of Savannah, in honor of her seventieth birthday, sponsored a celebration on Cockspur Island. A Liberty ship, built in Savannah in 1943, was named for her.

Erected 1958 by Georgia Historical Commission. (Marker Number 025-65.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Waterways & Vessels • Women. In addition, it is included in the Georgia Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1887.

Location. 32° 1.646′ N, 80° 53.558′ W. Marker is on Tybee Island, Georgia, in Chatham County. Marker can be reached from Islands Expressway (U.S. 80). At Fort Pulaski, near Visitor Center Parking lot. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Tybee Island GA 31328, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance

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of this marker. Cisterns of the Construction Village (here, next to this marker); A Bustling Village (a few steps from this marker); Cockspur Island Lighthouse (a few steps from this marker); History of Emancipation: (a few steps from this marker); Soldier of Liberty (within shouting distance of this marker); Sheltering Crown (within shouting distance of this marker); Freedom Ahead! (within shouting distance of this marker); John Wesley (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tybee Island.

Regarding The Waving Girl. Statue in Savannah located E. River Street near Broad St., waterside [32.08003, -81.08414].

Also see . . . Florence Martus. Wikipedia's entry...Many legends exist about this woman including .... (Submitted on January 29, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.)

Photographed By Mike Stroud, January 2008

2. The Waving Girl Marker

Located at Fort Pulaski Parking Lot

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 5, 2013

3. The Waving Girl Marker

The Waving Girl Marker seen along Fort Pulaski Driveway to parking lot image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Stroud

4. The Waving Girl Marker seen along Fort Pulaski Driveway to parking lot

The Waving Girl Statue, in Savannah image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Stroud, August 2004

5. The Waving Girl Statue, in Savannah

Erected in Morrell Park on the riverfront in Savannah, Georgia.

Florence Martus waving a handkerchief by day or a lantern by night image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Stroud, July 1, 1994

6. Florence Martus waving a handkerchief by day or a lantern by night

The Waving Girl image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Stroud, February 1, 2008

7. The Waving Girl

The Waving Girl Marker near Fort Pulaski Visitor Center image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Stroud

8. The Waving Girl Marker near Fort Pulaski Visitor Center

The Waving Girl Marker at Fort Pulaski Parking lot image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Stroud

9. The Waving Girl Marker at Fort Pulaski Parking lot

Credits. This page was last revised on May 3, 2020. It was originally submitted on January 29, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 3,074 times since then and 50 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on August 25, 2013, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 2. submitted on January 29, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 3. submitted on August 17, 2013, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 4. submitted on July 7, 2011, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 5, 6. submitted on January 29, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 7. submitted on February 20, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 8, 9. submitted on July 7, 2011, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.