By SHERRI SMITH BROWN

Georgia > Coastal Region > Chatham County > Tybee Island

The Lighthouse and Head Light Keeper’s cottage, restored to their 1916 appearance, are part of the Tybee Island Light Station, the only intact light station on the Eastern seacoast. 

There is something about a lighthouse that conjures up romantic visions of sailing the seven seas and returning home. Since 1732, when General James Oglethorpe, Governor of the 13th colony of Georgia, ordered it built, the Tybee Island Light Station has been guiding sailors safely to the entrance of the Savanna River.

Tybee Island Light Station is one of America’s most intact light stations and the only one on the Eastern Seaboard that has retained all of its original buildings. The bottom 60 feet of the lighthouse dates from 1771, the top half from 1867 (the top half was burned during the Civil War). The Head Light Keepers cottage is the oldest building on Tybee Island.

Situated on a five-acre site on the eastern shore of Tybee Island, the entire historic complex — lighthouse, head light keeper’s cottage, and outbuildings — has been restored to its 1916 appearance. This was carefully and faithfully done by using a combination of old photographs, memories of the Jackson family (the last lighthouse keeper), and written records. (more…)

By SHERRI SMITH BROWN

Georgia > Coastal Georgia > Glynn County > Jekyll Island

Float down a lazy river or plunge down a twisting slide at this small, but fun, water park on Jekyll Island on the Georgia Coast.

Jekyll Island, one of Georgia’s famous barrier islands, is a beautiful, relaxing and fun place to take the family – but during the summer months, it becomes even more exciting with a trip to Summer Waves Water Park.

You and the family can find all kinds of ways to spend a hot summer’s day getting thoroughly soaked at this 11-acre water park. A favorite of everyone is Turtle Creek, a half-mile river float in a tube that travels through the heart of Summer Waves at a relaxing three miles per hour. Surf the Frantic Atlantic Wave Pool with 500,000 gallons of water and waves reaching 2 – 4 feet high. In Splash Zone, you can splash in thousands of gallons of water, get dunked by Downpour, a giant bucket, or take aim behind a kid-friendly water gun. The Kiddie Pool is designed for the smallest among us – a shady area of kiddie slides, waterfalls and numerous water features. (more…)

By SHERRI SMITH BROWN

Fort Pulaski National Monument on Georgia’s Coast is a place where kids can experience cannon firings, musket and soldering demonstrations and learn something about the history of the Civil War as well. 

If you want to coax a little history on children, one of the best ways to do it is to visit a fort. I love to take kids to forts. They can run around, make noise, and are usually fascinated by the cannons, drawbridges, and moats, as well as the idea that people (soldiers) actually once lived in this place.

Fort Pulaski National Monument is a good introduction to forts for any family. Fifteen miles east of Savannah, it stood guard over the Savannah River for over 150 years. The Battle of Fort Pulaski in April 1862 marked a turning point in this country’s military history because it signaled the end of the masonry fortifications that had guarded the coastline. Those new rifled cannons belonging to the Union Army shattered the fort’s walls from over a mile away, and Confederate troops at the fort eventually surrendered. (more…)