“USA 🇺🇸 Georgia Tybee Island ~Fort Screvens and Tybee Island Historic Lighthouse Station 1773, and More”

• December 14, 2023
• By Pen
• 0 Comment

We drove from Savannah, out to Tybee Island, specifically to visit the Lighthouse Station, but Tybee Island is pretty cool, in general.

Though it’s winter, it’s easy to see that in the summer months, this place would be hopping. There is literally beach access on every block in this town, on the main strip. 

As far as beach front property, though, the space between the homes and the actual beach has a big an open space, so it’s almost beach front properties, in this case.

Tybee Island is a barrier island and small city near Savannah, Georgia. It’s known for its wide, sandy beaches, including South Beach, with a pier and pavilion.

In the island’s north, there is Fort Screven; a 19th-century concrete gun batteries and the Tybee Island Light Station and Museum.

The still-functioning, 18th-century lighthouse, has been rebuilt many times. The museum, in Battery Garland, focuses on local history.

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After checking out the beach and Atlantic Ocean, we were famished. We continued on to Pier 16 restaurant and had a delicious dinner. We had to pay for parking, in the parking lot of restaurant. The city gets the money. Even staff have to pay for parking. Kinda nuts if you ask me.

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After our belly’s were happy, we drove on over to Fort Screvens. The Fort is privately owned, sans a small portion that houses the museum. It is not much for looks, even if entering it was possible. No worries, since we came to see the Lighthouse Station.

Fort Scevens and The Tybee Island Lighthouse Station

The Tybee Island Light Station, built in 1773, is Georgia’s oldest and tallest lighthouse, and one of America’s most complete historic light stations. For more than 270 years, the Tybee Lighthouse has been guiding mariners safely into the Savannah River harbor.

Throughout its history it has been rebuilt several times. All of its original support buildings are still located on the five-acre site, off US-80 at Fort Screven.

Still a functioning navigational aid, the station’s light, courtesy of a first order Fresnel lens, can be seen 18 miles out to sea. Visitors willing to climb the 178 steps to the top of the recently restored lighthouse will enjoy a spectacular view of the entire island.

The newly renovated head keeper’s cottage, the Tybee Museum and gift shop are also on site.

Ordered by General James Oglethorpe, Governor of the 13th colony, in 1732, the Tybee Island Light Station has been guiding mariners safe entrance into the Savannah River, for over 270 years.

The Tybee Island Light Station is one of America’s most intact having all of its historic support buildings on its five-acre site. Rebuilt several times the current lightstation displays its 1916 day mark with 178 stairs and a First Order Fresnel lens (nine feet tall).

⬆️ View from the top of the lighthouse 

The entrance fee was $15 pp, but parking was free for 2-hours. 

I just loved getting to self tour this property. It was well restored cared for. and 

⬆️ Fort Screvens 

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After we were done in Tybee, we were ready for some down time and very glad we only had to drive as far back as Historic Savannah and the Foley House Inn, for our overnight stay

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All too soon, it seemed, even though it had been a week. we broke camp and left Georgia and headed in to South Carolina, where we have been a few times, but neglected to ever visit the Congqgee National Park. So that was our next stop, before getting into North Carolina, for our final stop on this cross-country and way more adventure, and really looking forward to a much needed break from the road!

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A few pictures from going into South Carolina, from Georgia:

This is a lighthouse at the Tanger Outlet Mall in Savannah. I tried to find info on whether it is an actually historical, but can’t find any info, yet. This leads me to believe its a replica for the theme of the mall.

Congagee National Park is a far lesser visited National Park. I did not have an easy time finding a campground, nearby, as there is not much around, and it’s pretty far out from the main city of Columbia. So it was no surprise to see this sign, and knowing we would be backtracking in the Bug, on this highway, to get our visit at Congagee.

The weather continues to hold and we are sure enjoying the sunshine to do our adventuring in! It’s pretty cold at night, dipping into the 30’s, but the days are cool to slightly warm.

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