Total Pageviews

Wednesday, January 21, 2015

Visiting the Saint Simons Lighthouse on Saint Simons Island








Eric parks the Jeep beneath
the 104 foot Saint Simons
Lighthouse.





Society preserves the Lighthouse
& does fundraising for its
continual upkeep.






After buying tickets to visit the Lighthouse Museum and Lighthouse, Dave, Kathy, Eric and I watched an introductory film on the history of the Saint Simons Lighthouses.  

The first lighthouse was built in 1810 by James Gould, who was the first of four Lighthouse Keepers. In 1862, the 75 foot tall lighthouse was destroyed by the Confederates to prevent it from being used as a navigational aid by Union troops. The North's blockade of Southern Georgia and following invasion forced Confederates to evacuate Saint Simons Island.  





The Lighthouse Museum is
in the former Lighthouse
Keeper's House.

Photography is not allowed
inside the museum.





Following the Civil War, the US Government ordered the construction of a second Lighthouse on Saint Simons Island.  Architect Charles Cluskey designed the second Lighthouse and the Italianate styled Lighthouse Keeper's House.  Construction of both structures was completed in 1872.

The Lighthouse is said to be haunted by the ghost of Lighthouse Keeper Frederick Osborne. He was shot and killed by the Assistant Lighthouse Keeper after he allegedly made inappropriate remarks to the Assistant's wife.

The current Saint Simon's Lighthouse had seven Lighthouse Keepers from 1872 to 1953, when the Lighthouse was completely automated.   The Lighthouse continues to be used for navigation today and is maintained by the Coast Guard Auxiliary.







The Gazebo is a restful
place to sit & enjoy
a beautiful day.













It's time to climb the Lighthouse's
129 steps to the top &
take in the view.








Spectacular!









The Lighthouse casts its
shadow across an
adjacent building.















And, there's our Jeep.












A man starts a sketch
of the Lighthouse
Keeper's House.
It's time to walk to Sandcastle Cafe and Grill for lunch.  The museum volunteer had great things to say about the food there.

No comments: