DONATIONS: https://cockspurislandlighthouse.com/ The Cockspur Island Lighthouse is the smallest lighthouse in Georgia. It stands 46' tall at the entrance to the south channel of the Savannah River at Lazaretto Creek. Decommissioned in 1909, it was ceremoniously re-lit briefly in 2007 for historical rather than navigational purposes. It sits on an islet on the southeastern tip of Cockspur Island near Tybee Island, 14 miles east of Savannah. It is part of the Fort Pulaski National Monument. The lighthouse is subject to daily tidal flooding; NO water access to the site by small boat or kayak. Beginning in the spring of 2016, the lighthouse and the islet is CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC because of ongoing restoration efforts. A half-mile trail at Fort Pulaski National Park allows walkers to view the lighthouse from approximately 200 yards. FEATURES:
The lighthouse was built on an oyster bed. Its unique base is shaped like the prow of a ship to reduce the impact of waves and currents on the structure. HISTORICAL INFORMATION:
The original lighthouse was constructed on this site between 1837 and 1839. It was initially built as a day marker without lights, identifying the entrance to the south channel of the Savannah River. After a storm in 1842, the structure was retrofitted to house five lamps with 14" reflectors. At 25' elevation above sea level, the light could be seen for 9 miles. That lighthouse was damaged by a hurricane in 1854. A famous New York architect, John S. Norris, designed the present structure, built in 1855 on the same foundation. Norris also designed the U.S. Customs House, the Green-Meldrim house and the Mercer-Williams house, all in downtown Savannah. The Cockspur light survived the Siege of Fort Pulaski, April 10-11, 1862, when Union troops firing from Tybee used the lighthouse as a range marker to subdue Confederate troops and capture Fort Pulaski. The lighthouse and the islet on which it sits is off limits to the public as per the National Park Service
DONATION INFORMATION:
Friends of Cockspur Island Lighthouse, Inc. is a 501(c)3 non-profit. If you would like make a donation to help preserve and restore the lighthouse, kindly use our website
Online donations…https://cockspurislandlighthouse.com/
or please mail checks marked for Friends of Cockspur Island Lighthouse Fund to:
The Savannah Community Foundation, Inc.
7393 Hodgson Memorial Dr. Suite 204
Savannah, GA 31406
ATTN: Russ Simpson
www.savfoundation.org
