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During the early part of 18th century, the colonial Fort Simons was established on the southern tip of what is present-day St. Simons Island to protect St. Simons Sound and the surrounding waterways.
Retreating Spanish soldiers destroyed the fort during the Battle of the Bloody Marsh in 1742.
In 1804, John Couper - a plantation owner who previously purchased the ruined land the fort stood on and named it Couper Point - deeded four acres to the federal government for an establishment of a light station.
James Gould, of Massachusetts, was hired by the Treasury Department in 1807 to design and build the first lighthouse of St. Simons. Gould's plans to build the beacon in hard brick were adjusted downward - a mixture of oyster shell, lime, sand and water were used with the building of the majority of the tower.
In 1810, the new 75-foot tower was activated and President James Madison appointed Gould as the first lighthouse keeper. Gould held this position for more than 25 years, until his retirement in 1837.
In 1857 the light tower was fitted with a third-order Fresnel lens.
The first tower stood until the Civil War. After a Union naval blockade in the area in 1862, followed by an invasion of Georgia by Union troops, Confederate soldiers evacuated the land and complete destroyed the lighthouse and its dwellings to prevent the Union army from using the point for navigation.
Shortly after the conclusion of the Civil War in 1867, the lighthouse board approved a new replacement lighthouse for St. Simons Island. Well-noted Savannah architect Charles B. Cluskey was chosen to design the new light tower. Cluskey was a very prominent architect who actually assisted in the renovation of the U.S. Capitol.
The establishment of the second lighthouse was met with great difficulty. The stagnant water in the area caused a severe malaria outbreak in 1871, which claimed the lives of many of the builders, including Cluskey, who never saw the completion of his tower, which was completed one year later in 1872.
The new tower was 104 feet tall and featured a third-order Fresnel lens. Cluskey built the lighthouse and keepers house of high-quality Savannah brick. The Victorian-style keepers house was skillfully designed by Cluskey in a way that an onlooker's eyes would be drawn to the top of the keepers house and then continue up to follow the lighthouse's tower. (See Right)
In March 1880, the lighthouse received its most notorious story and legend. John Stevens, an assistant keeper at the lighthouse, got into an argument with the head keeper, Frederick Osborne. The outcome was that Stevens killed Osborne.
A primary legend states that Stevens' growing affection for Osborne's wife started the argument, as all three lived in the same residence.
A second legend says the murder resulting from an argument that stemmed from Osborne's criticism of Stevens' efforts cleaning the lighthouse lens.
With either story, as tempers flared gunshots went off. Stevens was arrested for killing Osborne. He was acquitted for the crime quite quickly, as some say he was aided by an oncoming storm in which a light keeper was very much needed.
To this day legend has it that Frederick Osborne's footsteps can be heard climbing the tower at night to check on his lens. Several light keepers' wives have heard these footsteps over the years.
St. Simons Island has become synonymous with author Eugenia Price. In her works, Price features a historic trilogy of literature about St. Simons Island (The Lighthouse, New Moon Rising and The Beloved Invader), which all emphasize the beauty and history of this southern island. Price's first book, The Lighthouse, is said to be based on St. Simons' first lighthouse keeper, James Gould.
In 1972, the lighthouse and keeper's house was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Today, the St. Simons Lighthouse continues to be under U.S. Coast Guard jurisdiction. In 1984, the Coastal Georgia Historical Society signed a lease to open the tower to the public. This was followed by a major grant renovation from the U.S. Lighthouse Bicentennial Fund in 1989-91.
In 1998, The Coastal Georgia Historical Society financed structural and aesthetic repairs at the lighthouse leaving it a beautiful landmark.
Majesty Score: 4
For a lighthouse that resides in a small Georgia town, St. Simons Lighthouse's majesty is impressive!
The bright, egg-white paint on the tower adds to its majesty, giving it a very clean and large appearance.
The lighthouse can be seen from the distance while crossing over the Route 17 bridge, which spans the Frederica River. The white tower pops out of the deep, green vegetation on the tip of the island in the distance and is literally "heads above" any surrounding trees. It really is a pretty view.
Water View Score: 4
The water view at St. Simons Lighthouse is very beautiful. In the distance to the right you can see the bridge spanning the Frederica River. In front of you is open water with a small island or two.
Actually, the water view helps this lighthouse's aura considerably. The lighthouse, everything considered, is really located on a very small plot of land.
The fact that its property is adjacent to a beautiful, hard-sand opened beach with waves washing ashore really adds to the feeling of open space for this light. The lighthouse property features a very nice deck walkway and stairs that allow visitors to enjoy the beautiful Georgia beach. (See Right)
Preservation Score: 5
This lighthouse, keepers buildings, museum and grounds are pristinely preserved with all the elegance that this southern light deserves. It is meticulous! While we where there the landscapers were working furiously on the grounds, shaping them up.
A local volunteer inside the gift shop told me that when they needed to do repairs to the lighthouse a short while back, they actually had to procure the same exact building supplies and materials that were originally used in the building of the lighthouse to preserve its historic value! This shows you the kind of care they pride themselves in!
Surrounding Area Score: 4 
St. Simons Island, being one of the three "Golden Isles" (Jeckyll and Seas islands being the others), has all the beauty, charm and elegance you would envision when thinking of a Georgia coastal town.
The town is abundant with shaded, quiet streets lined with moss-draped oak trees that border large, ornate homes.
Just a few blocks' walk from the lighthouse is a beautiful, few-block town with quaint stores for your shopping leisure.
When talking to a local about the area, he told us it has exponentially exploded in population and tourism in the last decade. He has lived on St. Simons Island since the 1950s, when, as he said, "Back then, every house had a [family] name!"
Accessibility Score: 5
St. Simons Lighthouse has total accessibility. The tower is open for climbing every day except the major holidays. Please see their home page linked below for specific hours.
The 129 cast-iron steps of the tower really lead to an exquisite view of the shoreline and horizon. (See Below)
The keepers house is divided into a museum and small gift shop. The upstairs of the quarters are furnished as they were at the turn of the century and feature mannequins of family members in different poses in each room.
One of the most unique characteristics of this lighthouse is the gazebo on the lighthouse grounds. It really lends itself to great pictures and a shady oasis to enjoy a moment of rest.
Beacon Score: 5
St. Simons Island Lighthouse has a third-order Fresnel lens that constantly stays lit and flashes a bright white light every 60 seconds. It can be seen for 18 miles out to sea.
Overall Score and Overview: 32
This is an absolutely beautiful lighthouse that should not be missed. All of our scores perfectly converge on this lighthouse, and rightly so! It is the jewel of Georgia!
After giving careful consideration to the source of its appeal, we recognized that the essence of the appeal in visiting this lighthouse is that it provides each guest with a very personal experience. It is part of a seemingly quiet summer town and it is far from the impersonal experience of waiting in a long line in the summer to climb a more notable lighthouse tower. It allows the guest to really enjoy its beauty in a serene setting.
This "tucked-away" lighthouse really seems to welcome you and the volunteers are as friendly and helpful as can be.
It is an absolutely gorgeous light on a gorgeous coastline and deserving of one of our highest ratings! Enjoy it!
Directions: From U.S. 17 in Brunswick, take the F.J. Torras Causeway (toll road) to St. Simons Island. Turn right on King's Way. Shortly after passing the airport on your left, turn right on Mallory St., then one block later turn left on to Beachview Drive. The lighthouse's parking is on 12th Street - a few blocks on your right - a quick right after the post office.
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