St. Simons Island Lighthouse
The St. Simons Island Light is a lighthouse on the southern tip of St. Simons Island, Georgia, United States. It guides ships into St. Simons Sound and warns of the many sandbars in the area.
The U.S. government constructed a new lighthouse to replace the original, building it to the west of the original’s location. It is a 104-foot brick structure completed in 1872 and was outfitted with a third-order, biconvex Fresnel lens. The lens is one of 70 such lenses that remain operational in the United States. Sixteen of those are in use on the Great Lakes, of which eight are in Michigan. The rotating lens projects four beams of light, with one strong flash every 60 seconds. A cast iron spiral stairway with 129 steps leads to the galley. In 1876, the lighthouse was overhauled.
In 1934, the kerosene-burning lamp was replaced by a 1000-watt electrical light. On July 1, 1939, the United States Lighthouse Service was placed under the jurisdiction of the US Coast Guard. In 1953 the lighthouse was fully automated.
In 1972, the Coast Guard placed rear range lights on two towers at the entrance to the Frederica River off of St. Simons Sound. Entering the entrance channel at sea and proceeding inward, by keeping the lighthouse centered between the two rear range lights, keeps one in the center of the entrance channel. The lighthouse is therefore still an active navigational aid.
In 1972, the light-keepers’ cottage was leased to Glynn County. The Coastal Georgia Historical Society spent three years restoring the two-story Victorian light keepers’ cottage, located at the base of the lighthouse, which was then converted into a museum. In 1984, they leased the historic lighthouse structure. For a fee, the public can tour the museum, and climb the 129 steps to the top of the lighthouse for a view of St. Simons Sound and the surrounding area.
The tower underwent restoration in 1989–91 and again in 1997–98.
May 26, 2004, ownership of the lighthouse was transferred to the Coastal Georgia Historical Society under the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act.
Where it is:
The Lighthouse is located on St. Simons Island in the Golden Isles of Georgia. The Lighthouse Museum is made up of the St. Simons Island Lighthouse and adjoining Keeper’s Dwelling, located on the south end of St. Simons in the Pier Village.
101 12th Street
St. Simons Island, GA 31522
(912) 638-4666
Maps:
Interactive Google Map
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GPS:
31°8’2″ N 81°23’35” W
Cost:
$6 for Ages 6-12
$2 Military discount with ID
Children under six and Society members are admitted free of charge.
Hours:
Monday – Saturday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sunday 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Last tickets are sold at 4:30 p.m. each day
The St. Simons Lighthouse Museum, World War II Home Front Museum, and Museum Stores are closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, and Easter Sunday. The Lighthouse tower may be closed to climbers during inclement weather. The Society administrative offices are closed all major holidays.
Facilities:
There are restrooms and a museum store at the location. You are located in the main business area of St. Simons Island with restaurants and lodging within walking distance.
Location Contact Information:
St. Simons Island Lighthouse Photo Gallery
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More Photographic Destinations in Georgia:
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