Sapelo Island Lighthouse

History of the Sapelo Island Lighthouse

It was unfortunate that we did not get the chance to get to the island to visit this tower. At the time, back in 1998, you needed a guide to show you around the island. It appears that the island is now a park operated by the Georgia State Parks department.

The lady running the gift shop said that the whole tower is just about finished from a restoration that started a bit ago. She said that the tower is already painted its original red and white stripes.

Neat Facts:

• The tower cost $14,500 to build in 1820.
• Alexander Hazzard was appointed head keeper of the light in 1853. His salary was $600 annually.
• The light was repaired in 1869 after the retreat of the Confederate forces. It was at this time when the tower was painted with the red and white alternating bands.
• In 1905, a 100-foot tall steel pyramidal tower was built a few hundred feet north due to a hurricane and tidal wave in 1898. This tower served until 1933 when it was dismantled. It was shipped to South Fox Island on Lake Michigan in '34.

For more information on visiting the island, please see http://gastateparks.org/info/sapelo

Directions: The lighthouse sits on an Sapelo Island off the coast of Meridian, GA. From I-95, you would get off at Highway 57. Follow Highway 57, which will change into Highway 99, and follow that east to Landing Drive and the Sapelo Island Visitor's Center. This is where you will catch the ferry to the island.

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