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The Tybee Island Lighthouse restoration project was completed in December, 1999 and included repair to the exterior brick, mortar, and stucco. It also included restoration of exterior metal work, window, doors, and installation of bulletproof glass to protect the First-Order Fresnel lens. The interior repairs include brick and mortar, painting, and repair to cast iron landings and stairs. The restoration on the lighthouse was done to the early 1900's characteristics.
Throughout history, there have been a total of four lighthouses at Tybee Island. The original was built in 1736 but was washed away during a storm. Hurricanes, fires and even an attack by Union Forces during the Civil War led to partial or complete destruction of two other stations built in 1742 and 1773.
The Tybee Island Lighthouse has served Coastal and Savannah river mariners for more than 220 years. The lighthouse serves as a major aid to navigation and guides commercial and pleasure mariners along Georgia's Atlantic Coast and to and from the Savannah river. It is one of only 13 lighthouses in the U.S. that uses its original First Order Fresnel Lens as its optic, which can be seen for over 20 miles at sea.
The actual light is made up of 320 individually hand-polished prisms, resembling a gigantic pineapple. Inside the prisms is a 1,000-watt light bulb. This is known as a First-Order Fresnel lens and is one of about 13 left in operation in the U.S. The estimated worth is about $3 million.
The photograph to the right, "Completed Restoration," shows the lighthouse at the conclusion of the restorative process. There is an additional project currently under construction to complete repairs to the lightkeeper's station.
Brick, mortar, and cast iron elements have been repaired to further the use of the lighthouse as a functioning navigational aid and as an historic site open to over 60,000 visitors per year. The lighthouse is currently being considered for National Historic Landmark status.
Please click on a picture for a larger view
View from atop the Lighthouse
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