St. Simons Island in Glynn County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
Keepers of the Light
Photographed By Mike Stroud, November 2, 2008
1. Keepers of the Light Marker
Inscription.
Keepers of the Light. . The present lighthouse was commissioned by the U.S. Government in 1867 to be built adjacent to the site of the 1810 tower. The 104' tower and keeper's dwelling were designed by the noted architect Charles Clusky. Clusky and several of his crew members died of malaria during construction. The light and dwelling were completed in 1872., The Lighthouse and Keeper's Dwelling Today , The lighthouse tower is of brick construction. Cylindrical in shape, it has a 129-step cast-iron spiral staircase. The foundation is 8' below ground, 30' in diameter, and 3' thick. In 1890, the fireproof oil house was constructed. The oil house was designed to hold 450 5-gallon containers of kerosene to light the lamp in the lantern room. Later, large oil drums were installed in the oil house to contain the fuel., The Keepers Life , Several lighthouse keepers, such as C.O. Svendsen (to your left), and their assistants did duty at this station. Often, the keeper's wife served as his assistant keeper. The lighthouse was completely automated in 1953. , The early lives' of the keepers were lonely and monotonous. The Keeper's main task was to keep the light burning from sunset to sunrise. In addition, he was responsible for routine maintenance of the lens, buildings such as barns, boat houses, residence, and grounds. , The pay was $400 to $600 per year in the 19th Century. The highly prized position required the Keeper to be able to read and write, and sons often followed fathers and grandfathers footsteps into the United States Lighthouse Service.
The present lighthouse was
commissioned by the U.S.
Government in 1867 to be
built adjacent to the site of
the 1810 tower. The 104' tower
and keeper's dwelling were
designed by the noted
architect Charles Clusky.
Clusky and several of his crew
members died of malaria
during construction. The light
and dwelling were completed
in 1872.
The Lighthouse and Keeper's
Dwelling Today
The lighthouse tower is of brick
construction. Cylindrical in shape,
it has a 129-step cast-iron spiral
staircase. The foundation is 8'
below ground, 30' in diameter, and
3' thick. In 1890, the fireproof oil
house was constructed. The
oil house was designed to hold
450 5-gallon containers of kerosene
to light the lamp in the lantern room.
Later, large oil drums were installed
in the oil house to contain the fuel.
The Keepers Life
Several lighthouse keepers, such
as C.O. Svendsen (to your left), and
their assistants did duty at this
station. Often, the keeper's wife
served as his assistant keeper.
The lighthouse was completely
automated in 1953.
The early lives' of the keepers were
lonely and monotonous. The Keeper's
main task was to keep the light
burning from sunset to sunrise. In
addition, he was responsible for
routine maintenance
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of the lens,
buildings such as barns, boat houses,
residence, and grounds.
The pay was $400 to $600 per year in
the 19th Century. The highly prized
position required the Keeper to be able
to read and write, and sons often
followed fathers and grandfathers
footsteps into the United States
Lighthouse Service.
Erected by Coastal Georgia Historical Society.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Lighthouses series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1867.
Location. 31° 8.026′ N, 81° 23.603′ W. Marker is on St. Simons Island, Georgia, in Glynn County. Marker is on 12th Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 101 12th Street, Saint Simons Island GA 31522, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Coastal Georgia Historical Society, November 2, 2008
4. Keepers of the Light Marker
(Lower photo)
C.O. Svendsen, a lighthouse keeper
Photographed By Mike Stroud, November 2, 2008
5. Oil House, as mentioned
Photographed By Mike Stroud, 2008
6. St. Simons Lighthouse
Photographed By Mike Stroud, November 2, 2008
7. Oil House Door
Oil House
Constructed in 1890 to house fuel
for the 1872 lighthouse lantern.
To the left is the site of the first
St. Simons lighthouse built by
James Gould in 1810 of tabby.
Photographed By Mike Stroud, November 2, 2008
8. St. Simons Lighthouse
Photographed By Mike Stroud, 2008
9. St. Simons Beacon
Photographed By Steve Masler, July 18, 2017
10. St. Simons Island Lighthouse National Register of Historic Places Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on November 25, 2020. It was originally submitted on November 11, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,605 times since then and 75 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. submitted on November 11, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 10. submitted on July 29, 2017, by Steve Masler of Memphis, Tennessee. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.