Cockspur Lighthouse - Fort Pulaski
N 32° 01.361 W 080° 52.800
17S E 511331 N 3542956
Quick Description: Georgia's smallest lighthouse (46 feet tall) and one of only five remaining lighthouses in Georgia, sits at the edge of Cockspur Island, part of Fort Pulaski. This lighthouse was built in 1857 but the first brick tower dates to 1837.
Location: Georgia, United States
Date Posted: 7/22/2007 11:21:03 PM
Waymark Code: WM1WXN
Views: 81
Long Description:
Between 1837 and 1839 a brick tower was built at this location and served as a daymark only. In 1849 Architect John Norris, who designed the famed Customs Building in downtown Savannah was commissioned to design an illuminated lighthouse and keeper's station. The original lighthouse which had a fixed white light and five lamps with 14-inch reflectors, was destroyed by a massive hurricane in 1854 (the small islet is still often covered in water and, when visible only consits of marsh grass and oyster shells).
In 1853 Mary Maher became one of the first women to be employed by the U. S. Lighthouse Board after her husband Cornelius died in a boating accident at the lighthouse. He was lighthouse keeper from 1851-1853.
In the 1880's George Washington Martus served as lighthouse keeper. His sister, however, is probably the most famous person associated with Cockspur Lighthouse. She was Florence Martus, better known as "Waving Girl". For over forty years Florence would greet sailors and fishermen coming up the Savannah River by waving her white handkercheif during the day or lantern by night. Legend has it the Florence's love went out to sea, promising to one day return for her. She vowed to welcome every vessel at the port of Savannah until his return, which never happened. A statue of her, and her collie stands near Savannah's River Road, greeting vessels traveling the Savannah River.
Rebuilt in 1855 the lighthouse was extinguished by Confederate forces during the Civil War in an effort to stop blockading efforts by Union Forces. In 1862 Union troops began a bombardment upon nearby Fort Pulaski. The lighthouse survived because the shots were fired above the small lighthouse because even Union troops knew how valuable Cockspur would be to their efforts to navigate the Savannah River channels. However, the lighthouse was not lit again during the war. At the end of the war the lighthouse was re-lit along with being painted white to serve as a daymark as well.
The keeper's dwelling was struck by lightning in 1880, and completely destroyed by a hurricane in 1881. A new home for the keeper was eventually built on top of the walls of the abandoned Fort Pulaski.
In 1909 larger ships coming into and out of Savannah began using the deeper north channel, thus rendering Cockspur Lighthouse useless, at which time it was deactivated. Forty years later, in 1949, the Coast Guard abandoned the lighthouse. Less than 10 years later, in 1958 the National Park Service assumed control of the light and it has undergone three restorations since then. Re-lit in March of 2007, using a solar-powered beacon,Cockspur Lighthouse is now part of the Fort Pulaski National Monument.
Although the National Park Service states the lighthouse is open to visitors it is difficult to get to the lighthouse. During low tide you can walk (or wade) your way to the lighthouse or travel by canoe or kayak. There is no guided tour of the lighthouse.
Coastal Lighthouse: Lighthouse
Range Lights: Not listed
LIGHTHOUSE CHALLENGE VISIT: Not listed
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Visit Instructions:
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