Of the approximate 800 lighthouses still standing, less than 500 are still functional. Of the five lighthouses in Georgia two are operational, three are open to the public, and all have had some renovation work done recently. Historical societies, the U.S. Park Service, the State of Georgia, and a private home owners' association are trying to preserve these historical towers for future generations. Continued citizens' and government involvement in the preservation of the lighthouses is necessary to save them from becoming extinct. America is a young country and some of our most precious and fragile historical monuments stand as teaching tools for future generations to study, admire, and proudly show the world.
Lighthouses are stately structures of architectural significance.
The St. Simons Lighthouse and its classic keeper's cottage is one of the best examples of American lighthouse architecture in the South. It is also one of the most photographed lighthouses with its tapering bright white brick tower against a brilliant blue sky. The history of the Georgia lighthouses spans almost 265 years. These majestic towers never fail to intrigue both tourists and residents who gaze up at them and wonder about their past as well as their future. Even though some of these lighthouses no longer penetrate the darkness with their lights, they still direct the human spirit and mind back to a more romantic time where lighthouse keepers and their families would dedicate their lives to guiding ships and sailors to safety.