Trip Planner:
USA
/
Georgia
/
Georgia Coast
/
Golden Isles of Georgia
/
Saint Simons Island
/
St. Simons Island
The St. Simons Island Light is a lighthouse on the southern tip of St. Simons Island, Georgia, United States. It guides ships into St. Simons Sound and warns of the many sandbars in the area.Arrange to visit St. Simons Island and other attractions in Saint Simons Island using our Saint Simons Island trip itinerary maker.
The original St. Simons Island lighthouse, which was built in 1810, was a 75ft early federal octagonal lighthouse topped by a 10ft oil-burning lamp. During the American Civil War, U.S. military forces employed a Naval blockade of the coast. An invasion by Union troops in 1862 forced Confederate soldiers to abandon the area. The retreating troops destroyed the lighthouse to prevent it from being an aid to the navigation of Union warships.
The U.S. government constructed a new lighthouse to replace the original, building it to the west of the original's location. It is a 104ft brick structure completed in 1872 and was outfitted with a third-order, biconvex Fresnel lens. The lens is one of 70 such lenses that remain operational in the United States. Sixteen of those are in use on the Great Lakes, of which eight are in Michigan. The rotating lens projects four beams of light, with one strong flash every 60 seconds. A cast iron spiral stairway with 129 steps leads to the galley (or watch/service room). In 1876, the lighthouse was overhauled.
Source
Create a full itinerary - for free!
St. Simons Island reviews
-
The area around the Pier on St. Simmons Island an excellent place to visit due to many restaurants and shops in the area. Very nice waterfront setting by the Pier.
The area around the Pier on St. Simmons Island an excellent place to visit due to many restaurants and shops in the area. Very nice waterfront setting by the Pier. more »
-
Great place for a leisurely drive as it has excellent seascapes, beaches, a cozy village complete with lighthouse, shoreside park, fishing pier and lots of restaurants and shops. Very scenic as you...
Great place for a leisurely drive as it has excellent seascapes, beaches, a cozy village complete with lighthouse, shoreside park, fishing pier and lots of restaurants and shops. Very scenic as you... more »
Plan your trip to Saint Simons Island
Get a personalized tripA full day by day itinerary based on your preferences Customize itRefine your trip. We'll find the
best routes and schedules Manage itEverything in one place. Everyone on the same page.Know more
Popular things to do in Saint Simons Island
Side trips from Saint Simons Island
Historic Sites in Saint Simons Island
Hidden gems in Saint Simons Island
Museums in Saint Simons Island
Nearby attractions in Saint Simons Island
Trips in St. Simons Island by other users
8 days in Saint Simons Island
BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES
Tree Spirits of St. Simons Island
Dolphin & Whale Watching
Driftwood Beach
4 days in Saint Simons Island
BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES
St. Simons Island
Dolphin & Whale Watching
Summer Waves Water Park
2 days in Saint Simons Island
BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES
St. Simons Lighthouse Museum
St. Simons Island
Christ Church
60 days in United States
BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES
Jackson
Hartford
Jacksonville
2 days in Golden Isles of Georgia
BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES
Saint Simons Island
10 days in Georgia Coast
BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES
Saint Simons Island
Brunswick
Savannah