Archaeological Investigation Sapelo Lighthouse Interpretive Trail

Parks, Recreation, and Historic Sites Division plans to enhance an existing trail through the lighthouse complexes at the southern tip of Sapelo Island (Figure 1) by replacing existing signage and adding additional interpretive signs. There are two lighthouse complexes on a small area of high ground off the south end of Sapelo. The older brick lighthouse was constructed in 1820. The 1820 facility grew to include a keeper's house, cistern, and oil house. The beacon was removed and the lighthouse was abandoned during the Civil War. The keeper's house was heavily damaged during the war; it was rebuilt and the lighthouse was put back into operation after the war. In the late 1890's, a hurricane produced waves that undercut the tower and damaged the keeper's house. The house was demolished and brick from the residence was used to fill the washed out area under the tower. Although efforts had been made to stabilize the tower, inspectors recommended abandonment of the old tower. A new facility, consisting of a metal frame tower, residences for the keeper and assistant keeper, an oil house, boat dock and other outbuildings, was constructed in 1905 and operated until the early 1930's, when the tower and houses were removed. The tower was relocated to an island in Lake Michigan. The 1820 tower and oil house were rehabilitated by DNR in the late 1990's using ISTEA funds, a Federal Highways Administration program that provided an attractive funding match for transportation-related enhancements. A few years later, an observation platform was constructed on the original concrete piers from the 1905 light.