Tybee Island Lighthouse - Picture Perfect Day

     Although I am only sometimes partial to my photography, I feel blessed to have captured what I believe is one of the best photographs of Tybee Island Light Station, Tybee Island Georgia.

   In 1732, General James Oglethorpe, Governor of Georgia, ordered a marker to be built on Tybee Island to guide ships into the Savannah River. In 1736, the first tower was completed, and rose to a height of 90 feet. That tower did not last long and had to be rebuilt in 1741, and again in 1773. In 1790, the US government took over the lighthouse and it was lighted for the first time. From 1790 through 1933, the lighthouse was lighted by either candles or through oil lamps.


   In 1933, electricity came to the lighthouse and it has since powered the lighthouse light. Currently, a nine foot tall First Order Fresnel Lens (named after French Physicist Augustin Fresnel who in approximately 1822 designed a lens to maximize light efficiency) is installed in the lighthouse. Fresnel lenses are generally classified in 6-7 orders (depending on your source) with the first order being the largest and most complex of the lenses.


   The lighthouse has had numerous renovations over the years with the latest being in 1998 (after huge efforts, mass fund raising, and tireless work on the part of the Tybee Island Historical Society and its Friends). Currently, the lighthouse sits at its height reached during the 1867 construction (154 feet) and 178 stairs lead you from the ground to the top. The current day mark on the lighthouse is the same as the 1916 day mark (the color scheme used to identify the lighthouse during the day).


   In 2002, ownership of lighthouse was given to the Tybee Island Historic Society under the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act. Today, you can visit the well preserved lighthouse along with a museum and surrounding houses on the five acre site.


   For more information on the lighthouse, visit the Tybee Island Historical Society website at http://www.tybeelighthouse.org/or call them at (912) 786-5801.


   For more photographs of the Savannah, Georgia, the Tybee Island area or other great travel spots, visit http://www.bestdigitalshots.com/