Unfortunately, the first Tybee Lighthouse was constructed too close to the shore and was threatened by beach erosion. Work began on a new lighthouse just before a severe storm washed the first one away, in August of 1741. A new stone and wood tower was completed in March of 1742. A thirty foot flag pole was added to the ninety foot tower making the signal one hundred and twenty four feet tall. According to General Oglethorpe, the structure was "much the best building of its kind in America."

The second Tybee Lighthouse, like the first, was constructed too close to the Atlantic Ocean and was threatened with destruction. In 1768, a third lighthouse was authorized to be built. A site further away from the ocean was selected and the third Tybee Lighthouse, built of brick with interior wooden stairs and landings, was completed in 1773 and stood one hundred feet tall. In 1790, after Georgia ratified the Constitution, the lighthouse and surrounding land was ceded to the Federal government and like all other lighthouses in America, the Tybee Lighthouse was operated by the United States Lighthouse Establishment. In the 1790's, the lighthouse used large candles with a large metal disc as an illumination for the lantern room. Later 16 lamps which burned whale oil were used.

In 1857, a second order -eight foot tall- Fresnel lens was installed in the lantern room. The Fresnel lens, developed in France in 1827, used molded glass prisms in a brass frame to magnify the light source. Only one oil burning lantern was needed at the top of the Tybee Lighthouse. The light produced was brilliant and so concerned the Confederates at Fort Pulaski in 1861, that volunteers were sent over to burn the wooden stairs and landings in the lighthouse to prevent its use by approaching Federal forces. The Union troops which occupied Tybee Island repaired the damage and used the tower to watch rebel forces at Fort Pulaski until its surrender in 1862.

In 1866 a new brick and cast iron lighthouse for Tybee was authorized. The lower sixty feet of the 1773 Tybee Lighthouse were used as the foundation of the fourth Tybee Lighthouse. Ninety-four feet were added and a huge -nine foot tall- First Order Fresnel lens was installed. The light was one hundred and fifty-four feet tall and was re-classified as a major aid to navigation and required three keepers to man the light station. The new light was displayed for the first time on October 1, 1867 and could be seen for over 18 miles at sea.

In 1933, the fuel for the lighthouse was converted from kerosene to electricity and there was no longer a need for three keepers at the TYBEE ISLAND LIGHTHOUSE. George Jackson became the only and last Lightkeeper at Tybee until his death in 1947.In 1939 the United States Coast Guard took over the operation of America's Lighthouses and occupied TYBEE LIGHT STATION until 1987 when the age and increased cost of maintaining the TYBEE LIGHT STATION forced the Coast to relocate it to Cocispun Island.

The TYBEE ISLAND LIGHT STATION is one of America's most intact light stations, having all of its historic support buildings still on its five acre site. The Headkeeper's and first Assistant Keeper's house originally exhibited a unique style of architecture known as the -slick style.- The ornate trim and contrasting vertical and horizontal siding has been covered up by Coast Guard renovations. The Tybee Island Historical Society has begun a restoration campaign which will return the entire light station to its historic early 20th century character.

DESCRIPTION OF TYBEE ISLAND LIGHTHOUSE AND SUPPORT BUILDINGS

HEADKEEPER'S HOUSE - This building was constructed in 1881 for the Headkeeper and his family. The ground floor had a living room and bedroom. The second floor had two bedrooms. All rooms were heated by a fireplace and cooled by the deep front and rear porches and dormer window. A summer kitchen was added at the rear of the building in 1910 to reduce heat and threat of fire in the main house.

ORIGINAL SUMMER KITCHEN - One of the oldest buildings in Chatham county, this building dates from 1812 and served as the kitchen for all three lightkeepers until 1910 when all three residences were provided attached summer kitchens. After 1910, it served as a storage room.

FIRST ASSISTANT KEEPER'S HOUSE - This building was constructed in 1885 on the site of the original Keeper's house which burned in 1884. Its floor plan is identical to the headkeeper's house.

GARAGE - Built in the 1930's, this three car garage was to provide sheltered parking for the three keepers of the Tybee Lighthouse. Soon after its construction the staff was reduced to one keeper.

FUEL STORAGE BUILDING - This structure was built in 1890 soon after kerosene became the fuel for the TYBEE ISLAND LIGHTHOUSE. It was designed to be entirely fire proof with brick walls, a concrete floor and a tin roof. At one time the Coast Guard housed a diesel generator to provide power to the lighthouse.

TYBEE LIGHTHOUSE - The lower 60 feet is part of the original 1773 lighthouse. The walls were 12 feet thick at the base and narrowed to 18 inches at the top. The fire set by Confederates in 1861 damaged the upper sections beyond repair. 94 feet were added to the original section to make the Tybee Lighthouse 154 feet tall and a major aid to navigation. To make the lighthouse fire proof, cast iron stairs and landings lead to the lantern room. The lens installed in 1867 is a first order Fresnel lens which uses a 1000 watt electric light bulb which can be seen for 18 miles at sea. The lighthouse emits a -fixed light night signature.- The lens is one of only thirteen first order lens in the United States which still functions in a lighthouse as an aid to navigation. The TYBEE LIGHTHOUSE is Georgia's oldest and tallest and although its -day mark- or exterior paint scheme, has changed five times in its history, it is still guiding ships and visitors to Tybee Island. One hundred and seventy-eight cast iron stairs lead to the watch room gallery for a spectacular view of Coastal Georgia. The building at the base of the lighthouse was built in 1867 and was used to store and heat lard oil as a fuel for the lantern at the top of the lighthouse.

SECOND ASSISTANT KEEPER'S HOUSE - This building was constructed first as a confederate barracks in 1861. Union forces occupied the TYBEE LIGHT STATION during the War Between the States and the building served as Union Headquarters on Tybee Island. In 1867, the Second Assistant Keeper was assigned to this cottage.

PUBLIC RESTROOMS - Built in 1990 on the site of a Civil War storage building.

Today, the light station is maintained by the Tybee Island Historical Society, a non-profit organization, through a long term lease with the United States Coast Guard. The Society has begun a campaign to restore the entire light station to it's turn of the century appearance.