The Hauntings of Tybee Island Lighthouse

Posted: 12.12.2024 | Updated: 12.12.2024

What kind of beach experience do you want? It’s a rare option offered at Tybee Island, Georgia, which has five pristine beaches and a plethora of activities and attractions. One of the most popular is the Tybee Island Lighthouse, which adorns the island’s coastal landscape. 

The lighthouse stands as a physical reminder of Georgia’s deep-rooted history going back two centuries. Much of it is filled with tragedy after enduring two major wars and an endless onslaught of natural devastation. For this reason, many believe the Tybee Island Lighthouse also serves as a reminder of the spirits that have stayed behind. 

Curious about what lurks in the shadows behind some of Savannah’s most haunted locations? Savannah Terrors invites you to partake in a ghost tour you’ll never forget! Be sure to book a spot on our website today. 

Is the Tybee Island Lighthouse haunted?

The Tybee Island Lighthouse, located on Tybee Island, GA, towers as a beacon of the state’s centuries-old history that has fascinated many over the decades. It’s also proof to some of just how haunted the state really is with chilling ghost stories reaching its boundaries. From strange happenings to eerie figures, the Tybee Island Lighthouse has left many visitors believing it’s also a beacon for the dead. 

History of the Tybee Island Lighthouse

The Tybee Island Lighthouse predates much of Georgia’s official history, with its completion in 1736 under the orders of General James Oglethorpe. It has since undergone a tempest of changes before becoming the beloved historical landmark it is today. 

It had only been standing for five years before it was severely damaged by a storm in 1741. A year later, it was rebuilt by Thomas Sumner, only this time using wood and stone. A period of serenity followed as the lighthouse towered over Tybee Island with a tall flagpole in an era before electricity. 

The lighthouse was necessarily rebuilt again in 1773, however, after it was damaged by encroaching tides and erosion. Sturdy bricks were used along with the installation of wooden stairs and landings. This very same base remains intact in the lighthouse that stands today.  A second tower was added about 1,000 feet from the lighthouse’s current site in 1822. 

The Civil War brought another period of reconstruction for the lighthouse in 1866, after it was burned by Confederate forces several years prior. However, It was halted when a cholera outbreak ravaged the area. The lighthouse stood upon the first 60 feet of the pre-existing tower, making it stand at its current height of 145 feet by the time construction was finished. 

More upgrades and restoration attempts were made over the years, with the biggest taking place in 1999 under the supervision of The Tybee Island Historical Society. Its signature black-white-black daymark was added in 2002 under the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act. Today, the Tybee Island Lighthouse doesn’t just stand as a witness to the ebb and flow of time but as a testament to the true spirit of resiliency. 

Hauntings Overview

The Tybee Island Lighthouse remains a treasure trove of untold stories in Georgia’s history. It’s also believed to be a keeper of secrets in the darkness it has witnessed in its nearly 300-year lifespan. These secrets have given rise to a slew of unusual happenings experienced by staff and visitors over the years. 

Perhaps one of the most disturbing details of the hauntings is their partial connection to children. Visitors have reported their electronic equipment malfunctioning when they visit the children’s room on the second floor of what used to be the Keeper’s house. Visitors have also seen the apparition of a five-year-old girl named Lachlan.  

Believed to be the daughter of the first Keeper, Lachlan is known to appear to visitors on the winding staircase with a grim message- turn back or be cursed. It seems like a pretty easy option. A visiting psychic also claimed to have seen the spirits of two children playing jump rope in the yard.

Some of the former staff also seem to have no intention of leaving the lighthouse, even in death. The same psychic saw a man dressed as a lightkeeper standing in front of the lighthouse. Additionally, a staff member reported seeing the apparition of a man in the First assistant keeper’s house while hearing constant footsteps. 

Many believe that the spirits of shipwreck victims also haunt the lighthouse grounds. The exact details of how this legend has come about remains unclear. A number of guests have reported seeing dead bodies floating in the waters nearby, however. 

The Keeper

Perhaps the darkest secret that dwells within the Tybee Island Lighthouse is what really happened in 1887. The lighthouse’s headkeeper, George Shaw, tragically died, but many were convinced it wasn’t exactly natural. In fact, some believe his assistant murdered him. 

Shaw’s ghost has since been experienced by visitors and staff in a number of ways, especially in his former house. Footsteps and a whistling tune can be heard, only to find out that no one is there. The front door is also said to make an eerie sound, as if someone is trying to open it. 

Haunted Savannah

Savannah remains one of the most popular cities to visit in the United States, embodying southern charm through its stunning architecture and history.  It’s almost easy to forget that it’s the most haunted city in the U.S., filled with over two centuries of death. 

It’s this very same history that intertwines with the Tybee Island Lighthouse located on Tybee Island, GA. This timeless structure embellishes the already breathtaking sight of the island’s seascape, merging the past and the present. With such a tragic history of its own, however, it’s believed to also stand as a bridge between the living and the dead.

Savannah Terrors invites you for an unforgettable ghost tour with some of the city’s most frightening locations. Muster up your courage and book a spot today! Until then, read up on our blog for more chill-ridden stories, and stay connected with us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.

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