Lighthouse History - Tybee Island

I must say that I have been fortunate to see many lighthouses along the Atlantic Ocean, and if I had to choose, my favorite lighthouse would probably be Tybee Island Lighthouse.

Tybee Light is located on Tybee Island, which is close to 17 miles or so east of Savannah, Georgia. The Tybee Light serves as a key navigational marker for the Atlantic Ocean and the Savannah River. However, the light currently standing is not the original light that was built back in 1736.

The first tower was built in 1736, but it collapsed five years later during a hurricane. A second tower was put in place the next year (1742), however this tower did not succeed at surviving either due to erosion by the close proximity to the sea. A third tower was built in 1773, and it was built a bit further back from the shoreline. During the Civil War, the third tower suffered severe damage due to a fire that was intentionally set by the Confederates. They set Tybee on fire so that the Yankee soldiers couldn't use the lighthouse to serve as a beacon to guide their troops into Savannah (smart thinking, guys!!)

Therefore, after the Civil War, the Tybee Light had to be rebuilt. Luckily the lower portion of the tower was still intact and was able to be salvaged. The lighthouse that stands today is a combination of the third tower and the fourth extended tower, rebuilt in 1867.


One thing that is very interesting about the Tybee Lighthouse is its "day marks". The purpose of the "day marks" is very basic -- visibility. The color of the lighthouses helps the ships to see them off in the distance. At night, they see the beacon of light flashing, but in the daylight, often that beacon is hard to see, so they rely upon the color of the lighthouse. Tybee has had several different daymarks, the current daymark pattern was first introduced in 1916 but changed to another color in both 1965 and 1970 before returning to the 1916 pattern in 1999.

Tybee Island Lighthouse is such a historic lighthouse. Its location sits so pristinely between the Savannah River and the Atlantic Ocean, and is a place that everyone would love to visit.

I've been fortunate enough to visit it on several occasions. The first time I went to Tybee Island with my friend Heather, we actually climbed to the top of Tybee. It was the very first lighthouse that I had ever climbed & it actually has a very easy climb (compared to some others!). I went again last February and saw it both at night and during the day with Phyllis & it was such a unique experience to see it at night.

If you're down in Savannah, take that short drive over to Tybee Island. Go visit the Tybee Light, then drive down to the boardwalk and shop at some of the stores and take a stroll on the beach. If you've seen the movie "The Last Song", you will notice many of the scenes in that movie were actually shot at Tybee Beach and on Tybee Island. It's definitely a place to visit and relax!!

Lighthouse History - Old Harbor Light

Another very unique lighthouse is the Old Harbor Light located in Savannah, Georgia.

Unlike many other lighthouses, that are situated along the shoreline of the ocean, the Old Harbor Light sits along the Savannah River in the city of Savannah, some 17 miles or so west of the Atlantic Ocean.

This lighthouse really is not so much of a light "house" as much as it is more of a beacon. It was built in 1858 to serve as a navigational aid for ships along the Savannah River. It was strategically built in an area that stands approximately 75 to 77 feet alove the level of the river.

One of the main reasons it was built in the city & placed in its location was due to the fact that many sunken British vessels were purposefully sunk in the Savannah River. In prior years, many ships would hit these British vessels and cause damage to their ships. So this beacon was placed to help incoming ships avoid these sunken vessels.


In 1958, which was the centennial year for the Old Harbor Light, several groups in the city of Savannah helped to develop a portion of Emmet Park to serve as a historic site for the Old Harbor Light. In 2000, the beacon was deemed unsafe and was disaasembled and by January of 2001, it was fully restored and replaced in Emmet Park and even relit.

So if you're ever in Savannah and walking along (or even driving down) Bay Street, take a quick glimpse along the side of the street and as you're peering down towards the Savannah River, hidden amongst the Spanish-moss draped oak trees, you'll catch of glimpse of the Old Harbor Light.

Lighthouse History - New London Ledge

Since I was a child, I have always been fascinated with lighthouses. My father used to have a large collection of miniature lighthouses in his office, and they always intrigued me - their shape, size, color, etc. I've been fortunate enough to see a "few" lighthouses over the past few years, and I thought it would be neat to share some of those with you, along with a little history about each.

One of the most unique lighthouses that I have ever seen was the New London Ledge Lighthouse. This is not your typical lighthouse that stands tall along the seashore. Instead, this is a small, almost house-like, size lighthouse that sits literally in the middle of the water (almost like a buoy).

I was able to see it in August 2008, while cross the Long Island Sound onboard a ferry (which is really the only way to see the New London Ledge - via boat). At first, I didn't really think much about it and only snapped a few photos, and now recently, I have done a little research into the history & importance of this light.



The New London Ledge Lighthouse is located near both New London & Groton, Connecticut. When talk came around the town about building a lighthouse to help guide vessels from the Atlantic thru the Long Island Sound and eventually onto the Thames River and into the New London Harbor, many townspeople did not want a tall structure amidst their historic & large homes. Initially the lighthouse was created onshore in 1801, but it did not aid the vessels adequately. The present-day lighthouse (or light-station as some refer to it), was built in 1909. There are rumors that this lighthouse is haunted by a ghost named "Ernie" (after a former lighthouse keeper who reportedly killed himself), this is of course, is all rumored, but Coast Guardsmen, who used to be stationed inside the lighthouse, reported hearing strange sounds & knocks upon their bedroom doors! (Woooo, spoooooky!!!)

Eventually, it was deemed that the lighthouse no longer needed manning. And in 1987, the New London Ledge became the last remaining lighthouse on the Long Island Sound to be manned before switching over to automation. Today, the lighthouse is cared for by the New London Ledge Lighthouse Foundation; and it is also used occasionally as a maritime classroom by the United States Coast Guard, which continues to maintain the automated light.

I think this is one of the most unique lighthouses that I have seen in many years. And if you happen to be visiting up "North" and decide to take a cruise across the Long Island Sound from Connecticut to New York, be sure to be on the lookout for the New London Ledge!

It's the most wonderful time of the year ....

Okay so I really love that Christmas song "It's the most wonderful time of the year", especially sung by the great Andy Williams! I do love Christmas time and all the lights and decorations and time you can spend with family & friends. (Though I think the State Fair might be my FAVORITE time of the year, ha!)

But the Christmas season brings out a whole different side of people - it's the caring and giving side, the joyful and mostly happy side. Why can we always be like that?

So far this Christmas season has been super busy but fun for me! Have been to see the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Vince Gill & Amy Grant all in concert -- both concerts were amazing. If you get the chance to go see Trans-Siberian Orchestra (TSO), you should definitely go ... the lights, pyro, etc., it's just unbelieveable that they can do so much! Vince & Amy did an awesome concert, as well. I'm so grateful to have been able to go to both of these concerts with my sis, too :)






I was also happy to attend the lighting of the official State of North Carolina Christmas Tree on the Capitol grounds in Raleigh. It's always so neat to see that tree each year. I think growing up in the Capital City, I sometimes take that for granted. I know there are some people in my state who may never even get a chance to see the Capital City or else it's a huge treat for them to be able to visit it. Yet for me, it's less than 10 minutes from my house. I think this year I really tried to make myself realize how fortunate I was to live in such a great place and be so close to so many things.





Take time this Christmas to spend time with those you love and care about, AND when you're with that person (whether it's a family member or close friend), rather than getting all excited about opening presents and such, why not take a few minutes to just sit and talk to each other and name a few things that they have done for you in the past year that has meant so much to you. Presents and gifts are awesome; but our family & friends should be the presents we treasure second most. The most important present ever given was Jesus and because of Him, we can celebrate and enjoy all the other things of the season. Don't forget the real meaning of CHRISTmas!

Two Weeks

In two weeks, I will be in Heaven ... okay not literally (well, who knows, I might be if the Lord sees fit!) ... but I'll be close to Heaven on Earth - put it that way!

I'll be seated inside Neyland Stadium getting ready to see the Tennessee Volunteers take on the Kentucky Wildcats. Honestly, I don't have high aspirations that Tennessee will win this game. (As Rissy would say, I need to think positively (ha!) but seriously, we've only won three games!) They are having a rough season with all that happened last year; and it's a bad sign when Kentucky has already won more games than the Vols. We're in a rebuilding time, but one day, the Vols will be the Tennessee of old.

Neyland Stadium is one of the largest college football stadiums in the United States. I have been inside the stadium once before but not for a game & I was just overwhelmed. The sheer sign of the stadium seen from the highway is just unbelieveable. I've never been to a Tennessee game and have heard it is unlike anything you've ever experience; so I am stoked!

I am so excited. I pray for a victory but even if the Vols don't score an actual victory on the field, it will still be a victory for me to be at the game, see Smokey on the loose and sing "ROCKY TOP" at the top of my lungs!

My co-workers even got me an orange & white cake for my birthday to help me prepare. So let's go Volunteers. If you don't win another game this season, try hard to beat Kentucky for my sake!!!