St. Simons Island in Glynn County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

The Historic St. Simons Light Station

Photographed By Mike Stroud, November 2, 2008

1. The Historic St Simons Light Station Marker

Inscription.

Surely the most important aspect of the lighthouse to the mariner is the light that emanates from the tower. The tall, white beacon also serves as a day-mark. The light, a 1,000 watt electric bulb, is reflected by a fixed 3rd Order Fresnel Lens manufactured by L. Sautier of Paris. Four flash panels, mounted around a fixed lens, revolve around the bulb flashing one beam per minute. The beam projects out 23 miles, limited by the curvature of the earth.

Today, our lighthouse is under the jurisdiction and care of the United States Coast Guard, Aids to Navigation, Jacksonville Beach, Florida. The preservation of the historic structure on this site is the responsibility of the Coastal Georgia Historical Society.

Erected by Coastal Georgia Historical Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Landmarks • Notable Buildings • Notable Places • Waterways & Vessels.

Location. 31° 8.036′ N, 81° 23.618′ W. Marker is on St. Simons Island, Georgia, in Glynn County. Marker is on 101 12th Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Saint Simons Island GA 31522, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other

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markers are within walking distance of this marker. The First Lighthouse ~ 1810 (here, next to this marker); Early History of St. Simons Island (here, next to this marker); Historic St. Simons Lighthouse (a few steps from this marker); Fort St. Simons (a few steps from this marker); Couper's Point (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Fort St. Simons (within shouting distance of this marker); Keepers of the Light (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Fort St. Simons (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. Simons Island.

Coastal Georgia Historical Society

2. The Historic St Simons Light Station Marker

[ Bottom left picture ]
Photo of the light and lens

Coastal Georgia Historical Society

3. The Historic St Simons Light Station Marker

[Top left picure]
The St Simons Coast Guard Auxilary assists the United States Coast Guard in maintaing the lens today.

Coastal Georgia Historical Society

4. The Historic St Simons Light Station Marker

[ Right picture]
The "bug beacon" was used by bar pilots with the lighthouse to form the St Simons Range. The Range was the area represented by the lighthouse in the rear and the beacon in the front. Today the Range is marked by the lighthouse in the front and two large steel towers on the Fredereica River in the rear. When the lighthouse is aligned between the two towers with an equidistant spacing, the vessel will be on a centerline of the St Simons Range. The bug beacon was dismantled in the mid 1960's.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 25, 2020. It was originally submitted on November 10, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 916 times since then and 7 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 10, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.