Tybee Island, Georgia facts for kids

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Tybee Island, Georgia

City

Tybee Island Lighthouse

Flag

Seal

Location in Chatham County and the state of Georgia

United States

Area

• Total

3.19 sq mi (8.25 km²)

• Land

2.88 sq mi (7.46 km²)

• Water

0.30 sq mi (0.79 km²)

Elevation

10 ft (3 m)

Population

(2020)

• Total

3,114

• Density

1,080.50/sq mi (417.21/km²)

Time zone

UTC−5 (Eastern (EST))

• Summer (DST)

UTC−4 (EDT)

ZIP Code

31328

Area code(s)

912

FIPS code

13-78036

GNIS feature ID

0333294

Tybee Island is a fun and historic city located on a barrier island in Chatham County, Georgia. It's about 18 miles (29 km) east of Savannah. The name "Tybee Island" refers to both the city and the island itself. However, the city only covers part of the island.

This island is Georgia's easternmost point. People often say "From Rabun Gap to Tybee Light" to show how different Georgia's geography is, from mountains to the coast.

In 2020, about 3,000 people lived in the city. The whole island is part of the larger Savannah metropolitan area.

Tybee Island was officially called Savannah Beach for a while, starting in 1929. This was done to attract more visitors. But in 1978, it went back to its original name. It used to be a quiet beach spot for people from Savannah. Now, it's a popular vacation place for many visitors.

Tybee Island is famous for a few things. It's where the first Days Inn hotel was built. It's also home to the beautiful Tybee Island Light Station (a lighthouse) and the historic Fort Screven area.

On February 5, 1958, something unusual happened. The U.S. Air Force accidentally dropped a large object into the sea near Tybee Island. This happened after two aircraft had an accidental collision. The object was never found, and there has been ongoing interest in its location.

Tybee Island's Past: A Look at History
Tybee Island's Geography and Nature
- Tybee Island's Climate
Population and People of Tybee Island
Fun Events on Tybee Island
- Beach Bum Parade
- Tybee Pirate Fest
Education on Tybee Island
Photo gallery
See also

Tybee Island's Past: A Look at History

Tybee Island has a long and interesting history. Many years ago, Native Americans lived and hunted on Georgia's coastal islands. They used dugout canoes to travel the waterways. The Euchee tribe likely lived on Tybee Island before Spanish explorers arrived in the 1500s. The word Tybee actually means "salt" in the Euchee language.

In 1520, the Spanish claimed the island and called it Los Bajos. It was part of their Guale missionary area. During this time, pirates often visited the island. They used it to hide and to find fresh water.

Later, in the 1700s, there was fighting between the English (and their pirate friends) and the Spanish (and their Native American allies). After some invasions by South Carolina, the Spanish moved away. This allowed new English settlements, like the colony of Georgia, to be built.

The Famous Tybee Island Lighthouse

Tybee Island Light Station

The northern tip of Tybee Island is a great spot for a lighthouse. This is because it's close to where the Savannah River meets the ocean. The first lighthouse was built here in 1736. It was made of brick and wood and stood 90 feet (27 meters) tall. This made it the tallest structure in America at that time.

The original lighthouse has been replaced several times. The second one was built in 1742 because the beach was eroding. Part of the third lighthouse, built in 1773, is still there today. It forms the bottom 60 feet (18 meters) of the current lighthouse. The top 94 feet (29 meters) were added in 1867.

Today, the Tybee Lighthouse is a popular place to visit. All of its old support buildings on the 5-acre (20,000 m²) site have been kept in good condition. The lighthouse has black-and-white stripes, which were first used in 1916. It's one of the few lighthouses from the 1700s that is still working in North America.

Tybee Island During the Civil War

Union batteries on Tybee Island during the Civil War

During the Civil War, the Union Army set up cannons on the north coast of Tybee Island. These cannons helped them attack and capture Fort Pulaski on April 10–11, 1862. This battle was important because it showed how powerful new rifled cannons were. They could easily break through old masonry fortifications.

The city of Tybee Island has worked to remember its role in the Civil War. In 2005, the city received money to buy land where Union soldiers launched their attack against Fort Pulaski.

Fort Screven: A Historic Military Site

Fort Screven was first opened in 1898. It was named after Brigadier General James Screven, a hero from the Revolutionary War. The fort was an important part of coastal defense until it closed in 1947.

One of the most famous people who commanded Fort Screven was General of the Army George C. Marshall. He later created the Marshall Plan, which helped rebuild Western Europe after World War II.

About 70 buildings from the fort are still standing. The entire Fort Screven area was added to the National Historic Register in 1982. One key building is the Tybee Post Theater, built in 1930. It was one of the first theaters in Georgia to have sound.

Other buildings still there include the guard house, the bakery (now a private home), and barracks (now apartments). You can also see the ruins of the beach defenses. Of the six original batteries, Battery Garland (built in 1899) is open to the public. Battery Garland is also home to the Tybee Museum. Officer's Row, a group of original homes with ocean views, is another remaining area. One of these homes is now a bed and breakfast.

Tybee Island as a Resort Destination

In the late 1800s, during the Industrial Revolution, many people living in big, polluted cities wanted to escape to quiet beaches. They believed that fresh, salty air could help with health problems like asthma. Steamships started bringing people to Tybee Island right after the Civil War.

In 1887, the Central of Georgia Railway built a rail line from Savannah to Tybee Island. This made it much easier for summer visitors to reach the island. The railroad built the Tybrisa Pavilion in 1891. By the end of that decade, hundreds of summer cottages were built along the island's Atlantic coast.

In the 1920s, U.S. Route 80 was finished, connecting Tybee Island to the mainland by road. The Tybrisa Pavilion became a popular place for big bands and performers like Bing Crosby and Tommy Dorsey. The pavilion also had a bowling alley and a roller skating rink.

More development happened towards the island's southern tip. By 1940, the island had several hotels. The Tybrisa Pavilion burned down in 1967. It was replaced by the Tybee Pier and Pavilion in 1996.

Cecil B. Day opened the very first Days Inn hotel on Tybee Island in 1970.

The Tybee Bomb Incident

On February 5, 1958, a U.S. Air Force B-47 Stratojet plane was doing training exercises. It accidentally dropped a large object, sometimes called the "Tybee Bomb," off the coast of Tybee Island. This happened after the plane collided with another aircraft. The lost object was never found.

For many years, people were concerned about the missing object. In 2004, a retired U.S. Air Force officer, Derek Duke, searched for it. He reported finding high radiation levels in the Wassaw Sound, near Tybee. In response, the Air Force searched for nine months in 2004. They later announced that the radiation was likely from monazite, a naturally radioactive mineral, and not from the lost object.

Tybee Island's Geography and Nature

The view south from atop the Tybee Lighthouse

Tybee Island is located at 32°0′24″N 80°50′58″W / 32.00667°N 80.84944°W / 32.00667; -80.84944. It is the northeasternmost of Georgia's Sea Islands. These islands make up the outer part of the state's Lower Coastal Plain. Like other Sea Islands, Tybee has a sandy beach on its eastern side. On its western side, it has a tidal salt marsh.

The middle of the island has a maritime forest, though much of it has been developed. It also has freshwater streams. The Savannah River flows into the Atlantic Ocean just north of Tybee Island, making its location very important.

To the west, Lazaretto Creek separates Tybee Island from McQueens Island. This area is mostly marshland. Tybee Creek flows along the south shore of Tybee Island and meets the Atlantic Ocean at the island's southeastern tip. Little Tybee Island, which is mostly protected wetlands, is located across Tybee Creek to the southwest. The size of the sandy beach at the southern tip of Tybee Island changes a lot with the tides.

The city of Tybee Island covers about 3.19 square miles (8.3 square kilometers). Most of this is land, with some water areas. The entire island itself is larger, with a land area of about 21.871 square miles (56.64 km²).

Tybee Island's Climate

Tybee Island has hot summers. In winter, the weather is cool and windy. Temperatures usually range from 45°F (7°C) to 88°F (31°C). It rarely gets colder than 33°F (0.5°C) or hotter than 93°F (34°C).

Population and People of Tybee Island

Historical population
Census	Pop.	%±
1900	381	—
1910	786	106.3%
1920	117	−85.1%
1930	202	72.6%
1940	644	218.8%
1950	1,036	60.9%
1960	1,385	33.7%
1970	1,786	29.0%
1980	2,240	25.4%
1990	2,842	26.9%
2000	3,392	19.4%
2010	2,990	−11.9%
2020	3,114	4.1%
U.S. Decennial Census

The Tybee Island pier's annual fireworks show

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 3,114 people living in Tybee Island. There were 1,305 households and 831 families. Most of the people living in Tybee Island are White (91.81%). There are also smaller populations of Black or African American, Native American, Asian, Pacific Islander, and people of two or more races. About 1.96% of the population is Hispanic or Latino.

Fun Events on Tybee Island

Tybee Island hosts several fun events each year.

Beach Bum Parade

Since 1987, Tybee Island has held a Beach Bum parade every year. It usually takes place in May, the weekend before Memorial Day. During the parade, floats travel down Butler Avenue, the main road. People watching the parade often have water gun fights!

Tybee Pirate Fest

The Tybee Pirate Fest started in 2005. It is usually held the weekend before Columbus Day. This festival celebrates pirate history and culture.

Education on Tybee Island

Tybee Island Maritime Academy

Tybee Island is part of the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System. In the 2009-2010 school year, this school district had about 34,668 students. There is also a public charter school located on the island.