"Our Hometown" Glynn County: St. Simons Lighthouse

Standing nearly 100 feet tall, the St. Simons Lighthouse towers over the quiet beach community. But it wasn’t always this grand. It was first built back in 1810 with simple, modest materials; tabby and brick.

Curator, Mimi Rogers says it would soon become an important part of the community.

“In the early 1900's there were many cotton plantations on St. Simons. It was the main industry here. And of course there were ships coming in to load the cotton.”

So having a lighthouse to help guide commerce ships just made sense. Plantation owner, John Couper gave up his land for the light house, and turns out, it was a prime location.

But the life of the first light house would be cut short with the rise of the Civil War.

“At the beginning of the war, a small fort was built here on this property because there was a federal blockade. So there were troops here stationed here to block this area.”

But when the troops were relocated, the residents also left and the lighthouse met its demise.

“It was then blown up by Confederate soldiers as they left the island so that the Union troops could not use it as a navigational aid.”

It didn’t take long for the light house to rise back up from the ashes of its past. After the war, the timber industry began to pick up and so did the need for another lighthouse.

So it was redesigned by Charles Cluskey in 1872, and this time, with a two story living quarters.

“The lighthouse keeper came here with his family. Sometimes his wife would serve as his assistant. But other times, there was actually an assistant light house keeper.”

Rogers explains that the house was later divided into two separate living areas for maximum privacy and comfort.

But one fateful day in 1880 would prove even separate quarters wouldn’t bring enough solitude.

“There was an assistant light house keeper here, as well as a keeper. And for some reason we cannot determine, they had a disagreement. The keeper actually had a gun and was being very threatening to the assistant light house keeper.”

So the assistant went inside, got his gun and fatally shot the keeper. The assistant was cleared of all wrong doing in the name of self defense, but some say the keeper never found peace and never really left.

”The wives of past keepers say they still hear what they say someone roaming the stairs and halls of the lighthouse. So I guess you would say we have a ghost, or at least some people believe we have ghost. And this would be the ghost of Frederick Osborne.”

To this day, many visit the light house after hearing ghostly tales, but others, they come because of Author, Eugenia Price and the beautiful picture she paints of the island and the locals.

“She lived on St. Simons and she was very involved with the Coastal Georgia Heritage Society. She actually gave us some of the items in her home, like her desk and typewriter.”

And they now sit in the museum as a tribute for others to enjoy. Rogers says Eugenia is not the only person who’s hearts been captured by this area, or the lighthouse.

“I think everyone really had a fondness for our lighthouse. Sometimes residents come once a year, sometimes people come on their birthdays to walk up to the top, some people come here and use it to exercise and go up and down the steps.”

Proof that no matter how it’s enjoyed; the light house is still a beacon and an icon in the community. The lighthouse is open for tours Monday through Saturday 10 AM to 5 PM and Sunday 1:30 PM to 5 PM.

Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 6 to 11.