Preserving History on Tybee Island

Should historic structures be torn down to make way for new development?
One Tybee man doesn't think so and he's making sure his opinion is heard.
News Three's Community Reporter Alice Massimi has more on why this man is fighting to make sure Tybee's history isn't being washed away.

At first glance it's hard to tell what this is.
Comprised of random walls and walkways you'd be surprised to learn this is actually a key piece of Tybee's history.
It’s known as Battery Backus.
“It’s one of six concrete and steel granite reinforced coastline defense installations of Fort Screven,” explains Ed Cawley of the Fort Screven Preservation Association.
It's these structures and the guns housed in them that were relied upon to protect the entrance of the Savannah River from enemy vessels.
Built in the late 1880s, only three of the batteries have not been destroyed by development.
“We don't need anymore houses on the beach. Lets try and save and protect our history while it is still here once it's gone, it's gone,” says Cawley.
With extensive views of the ocean it’s easy to see why this area of land was a key place to build a fort but at the same time it’s also a beautiful place to build a home.
“A developer purchased it in 2007 with the idea of demolishing this and putting up 2 homes on the beach to make a dollar,” but thankfully, Cawley says the property is available again.
Only one problem, its price tag is in the millions.
“Although we have not had anybody come up to us and say here is a million bucks save this thing, we are hoping for someone to do that.”
Hoping this piece of history does not fall into the hands of another developer.
“If we let our history go it will be gone forever.”

Battery Backus was also named by the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation as one of the top ten places in the state that are in peril of being lost.
We'll continue to follow this story and let you know what happens.

For more information on Mr. Cawley’s Preservation efforts log onto: www.fortscrevenpreservation.org