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

Cockspur Island Lighthouse

By Mike Stroud, September 15, 2011

1. Cockspur Island Lighthouse Marker

Inscription. Designed and built in 1848 by renowned architect, John Norris to mark the entrance to the South Channel of the Savannah River, the Cockspur Island Lighthouse was destroyed by a hurricane in 1854. A larger replacement was built on the same foundation in 1855. During the American Civil War, the light was temporarily extinguished. The lighthouse survived the 30 hour Union bombardment of Confederate-held Fort Pulaski in 1862 and hurricanes in 1881 and 1893. By the late 1800s, shipping had moved to the North Channel of the Savannah River. The lighthouse was no longer needed and was deactivated in 1909. In 1958, the U.S. Coast Guard transferred control of the Cockspur Island Lighthouse to the National Park Service.

Erected 2011 by The Georgia Historical Society and Friends of The Cockspur Island Lighthouse. (Marker Number 25-41.)

Marker series. This marker is included in the Georgia Historical Society/Commission marker series.

Location. 32° 1.653′ N, 80° 53.557′ W. Marker is in Tybee Island, Georgia, in Chatham County. Touch for map. Marker can be reached from Islands Expressway (U.S. 80), on the left when traveling east. At Fort Pulaski National Monument, Visitors Center. Marker is in this post office area: Tybee Island GA 31328, United States of America.

Other nearby markers.

Cockspur Island Lighthouse Marker, Dedication Day image. Click for full size.

By Mike Stroud, September 15, 2011

2. Cockspur Island Lighthouse Marker, Dedication Day

Hosted by The Georgia Historical Society and Friends of Cockspur Lighthouse. The Georgia Historical Society will dedicate their newest bronze marker commemorating the service of the Cockspur Lighthouse, the first Tybee Island tower built in 1736 to mark the entrance to the Savannah River.

At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Waving Girl (a few steps from this marker); Cisterns of the Construction Village (a few steps from this marker); John Wesley (1703-1791) (a few steps from this marker); History of Emancipation: (within shouting distance of this marker); Quest for Freedom (within shouting distance of this marker); Immortal Six Hundred (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Burial Sites of Immortal 600 (about 300 feet away); A Changing Landscape (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tybee Island.

Regarding Cockspur Island Lighthouse. The 46-foot-tall beacon marks the South Channel of the Savannah River. The light is surrounded by water at high tide, and can only be reached by boat. To get a closer look, the Light Overlook Trail is available near Fort Pulaski.

Also see . . .
1. National Park Service - Cockspur Island Lighthouse. This first tower had a focal plane 25' above sea level. The beacon housed a fixed white light emanating from five lamps with 14" reflectors visible for nine miles... The lighthouse was in the line of fire between Union forces on Tybee island and Confederate forces in Fort Pulaski. During a 30-hour battel in April 1862, over 5,000 rounds of artillery were exchanged by the two sides, but the light survived unscathed... Mary Maher, the only woman

Cockspur Island Lighthouse Marker, near the Fort Pulaski parking lot image. Click for full size.

By Mike Stroud, September 15, 2011

3. Cockspur Island Lighthouse Marker, near the Fort Pulaski parking lot

keeper at Cockspur, was selected in 1853 as a result of her husband's death caused by a capsized boat... Patrick Eagan, keeper from October 1856 to August 1871, was killed while attempting to service the light during a severe storm when his boat capsized... (Submitted on September 15, 2011, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.)

2. Cockspur Island, GA. additional pictures. (Submitted on September 16, 2011, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.)

Categories. • Notable Buildings •

Cockspur Island Lighthouse Marker dedication image. Click for full size.

By Mike Stroud, September 15, 2011

4. Cockspur Island Lighthouse Marker dedication

Representing Lighthouse Keepers, this trio admire the new marker image. Click for full size.

By Mike Stroud, September 15, 2011

5. Representing Lighthouse Keepers, this trio admire the new marker

Cockspur Island Lighthouse image. Click for full size.

By Mike Stroud, April 7, 2009

6. Cockspur Island Lighthouse

Cockspur Island Lighthouse image. Click for more information.

By Mike Stroud, April 7, 2009

7. Cockspur Island Lighthouse

* See related marker
Click for more information.

By Bill Coughlin, August 5, 2013

8. Cockspur Island Lighthouse Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. This page originally submitted on September 15, 2011, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 592 times since then and 52 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 15, 2011, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 4. submitted on September 16, 2011, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 5, 6, 7. submitted on September 15, 2011, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 8. submitted on August 17, 2013, by Bill Coughlin of North Arlington, New Jersey.