Tybee Island, with access only through Savannah, is another barrier island, but its history is different than a lot of the others. It was often visited by Native Americans, and from Europeans as early as the 1500’s, but no permanent settlements were established there. The first lighthouse was built in 1736, and Fort Pulaski was built immediately prior to the Civil War, but there were never any plantations there. Neither did any rich tycoons buy up the island in the 1800’s.
During the late 19th century it became a popular beach destination for Savannah folks, and a number of hotels and a pier were built. A railroad was laid that reached all the way from Savannah to Tybee Island. It was the only way to reach Tybee other than by boat until US 80 was built in the 1920’s. Today it is still a thriving beach community, and it is an easy day trip for those of us who live in Savannah.
We left Savannah at 8:15 am to beat both the crowds and the heat, as it has been very hot already here in coastal Georgia. It started out a cloudy day, reminding me that a cloudy day at the beach is still better than any day elsewhere! The wind quickly blew the clouds away, and my grandchildren loved the breakers rolling in. The rip tide was really strong so we did not venture too far out. In the course of the morning we watched the tide come in, and went home early afternoon only slightly sunburned and windburned.
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Most of the barrier islands have miles of beautiful beaches.
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Laughing gull waiting for lunch.
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Even a cloudy day at the beach is better than any day elsewhere.
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Little Tybee Island is only accessible by boat.
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Tybee Pier beyond the levee.
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My grandchildren loved the size of the breakers.
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The tide is turning.
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Almost high tide.
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Lucky, lucky people living at the beach.
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The levee at low tide.
