Cockspur
Island Lighthouse
Not far
from Tybee Island Light Station lie Fort Pulaski and just off of that, Cockspur
Island Lighthouse. This lighthouse is
the smallest lighthouse in Georgia located in Chatham County, Georgia. It
ceased operation as an active beacon in 1909. It has been relit since 2007 for
historical rather than navigational purposes.
Cockspur Island Lighthouse
The
lighthouse is situated on an islet off Cockspur Island. For all practical purposes, it’s not
accessible except by boat or kayak. It was
initially built as a day marker without lights to indicate the entrance to the
South Channel of the Savannah River. Construction lasted from March 1837 to
November 1839.
Cockspur Island Lighthouse
By 1848 it
was retrofitted with lights and reflectors. It was damaged by a hurricane in 1854. The
larger replacement that was built in 1855 on the same foundation was designed
by New York architect John S. Norris. The
light was extinguished for a time during the American Civil War during the
battle that brought the defeat of Fort Pulaski. The lighthouse suffered little
or no damage, even though it was in direct line of fire. It was relit in 1866.
Lighthouse Landfill
On June 1,
1909, the light was finally extinguished, because the south channel was
infrequently used, compared to the deeper and wider North Channel of the
Savannah River. The United States Coast Guard relinquished control of this
lighthouse to the National Park Service on August 14, 1958. Along with the
entire National Monument, the lighthouse is listed on the National Register of
Historic Places. Starting in 1995 and lasting until 2000, the upper portions of
the lighthouse were restored, although the foundations still require protection
from wave action and tidal erosion.
Creeping Shoreline
On March
18, 2007 at 7:30 p.m. the lighthouse was relit in a ceremony hosted by the
National Park Service and the U.S. Coast Guard.
In early 2013 additional rocks were added around the lighthouse to
protect it from strong currents at high tide.
Enjoy!
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