Little Cumberland Island Light facts for kids
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| Little Cumberland Island Lighthouse | |
 Little Cumberland Island Light
Location in Georgia (U.S. state)
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| Location | Northern end of Little Cumberland Island, Georgia |
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| Coordinates | 30°58′34″N 81°24′47″W / 30.97611°N 81.41306°W |
| Year first constructed | 1838 |
| Year first lit | 1838 |
| Deactivated | 1915 |
| Foundation | Brick |
| Construction | Brick |
| Tower shape | conical |
| Markings / pattern | White tower with black lantern |
| Height | 60 feet (18 m) |
| Focal height | 71 feet (22 m) |
| Original lens | 1838: 14 Lewis lamps 1857: Third-order Fresnel lens |
| Current lens | None |
| Range | 14 nautical miles (26 km; 16 mi) |
| Characteristic | Fixed white |
| ARLHS number | USA-439 |
The Little Cumberland Island Lighthouse is a special lighthouse located in Georgia, United States. It stands on the northern tip of Little Cumberland Island. This island is right next to the larger Cumberland Island. The lighthouse is in Camden County, on Georgia's southeast coast.
When it was working, the lighthouse helped ships find their way. It marked the entrance to St. Andrew Sound and the Satilla River. It also warned sailors about a shallow area called a shoal. This shoal stretched about 6 nautical miles (about 11 kilometers) to the southeast.
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History of the Little Cumberland Island Lighthouse
The Little Cumberland Island Lighthouse is 60 feet (18 meters) tall. It was designed by Winslow Lewis and built in 1838. When it first started, it used 14 special "Lewis lamps." These lamps created a steady, fixed light. This was different from an older lighthouse nearby that had a spinning light.
Lighthouse Lens Upgrades
In 1857, the lighthouse got a new, improved lens. This was a "third-order" Fresnel lens, made in France. A Fresnel lens is a special type of lens that helps make a lighthouse beam much brighter and stronger. The new light could be seen from 14 nautical miles (about 26 kilometers) away. Its light source was 71 feet (22 meters) above sea level.
Protecting the Lighthouse from the Sea
Over time, the ocean started to get closer to the lighthouse. So, in 1874, a strong brick wall was built around it. This wall helped protect the lighthouse from the waves and the moving shoreline.
Deactivation and Restoration Efforts
The lighthouse stopped working in 1915. All the other buildings that were part of the lighthouse station, like the keeper's house, are now gone. However, the lighthouse itself has been saved! Its dedicated owners have worked hard to restore it.
The lighthouse was renovated from 1994 to 1998. It was restored again in 2016 by a company known for its restoration work. Today, the lighthouse and the land around it are privately owned. This means it is not open for the public to visit without special permission. A large sand dune now stands between the lighthouse and the ocean. Because of this, you can barely see the tower from the water anymore.
National Recognition for the Lighthouse
The Little Cumberland Island Lighthouse is a very important historical site. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This is a special list of places in the United States that are important to American history. The lighthouse was added to this list on August 8, 1989. Its special number on the list is 89001407.
Remember, the Little Cumberland Island lighthouse is private property. You need permission from the owner to visit it.
