Thursday, April 7, 2016

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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