the cockspur island lighthouse
Funding Needed to Preserve and Protect
Since the early 1800s, the Cockspur Island Lighthouse has
marked the South Channel of the Savannah River, just 12 miles
east of the Port of Savannah. The lighthouse sits on an islet made
of oyster shells and marsh grass and is often covered by high tide.
The first brick tower was built between 1837 and 1839, by architect
John Norris of New York. His duties were “to repair, alter and put
up lanterns and lights on Cockspur Island and to erect a suitable
keeper’s house.”
Over the year, the Cockspur Island Lighthouse has faced many
challenges. It was rebuilt and enlarged on the same foundation in
1855, one year after a hurricane destroyed it. During the Civil War,
the lighthouse was in direct line of fire during a 30-hour siege in
1862, and somehow survived. After the war, the beacon was relit
and panted white for use as a daymark, and survived hurricanes
again in 1881 and 1893.
On June 1, 1909, the light was extinguished for good. The port of
Savannah needed a route for larger ships, so vessels were routed
to the deeper North Channel. The tower was saved on August 14,
1958, by presidential proclamation, which transferred the Cockspur
Lighthouse from the United States Coast Guard to the National
Park Service.
Today, Fort Pulaski National Monument, with the National Park
Service, is dedicated to the preservation of the historic lighthouse.
A trail accessed from Fort Pulaski offers the best way to safely view
the lighthouse. For safety reasons, the lighthouse itself and the
surrounding land is off limits to the public.
It is a violation of federal law to be on the island and/or to access
Cockspur Island Lighthouse.
The Friends of the Cockspur Island Lighthouse, a non-profit
501c3, was established to protect and preserve our little lighthouse,
and to help build awareness of the need to restore the Cockspur
Island Lighthouse for future generations. Fundraising and
grant writing are underway to raise needed funds to restore the
lighthouse. Donors are needed to help fund the total preservation
of the lighthouse. Once restored, annual upkeep is estimated at
$100,000. To donate, become a member, or learn more about this
historic lighthouse and how you can help in its restoration, visit:
www.cockspurislandlighthouse.com.
a devivo marketing publication 28 TybeeIsland.com
/www.cockspurislandlighthouse.com
/TybeeIsland.com