Light On The Past – July 2010

Fort Screven’s Batteries

By Sarah Jones

July 2010:

I’d like to start this article by correcting a fact in May’s article – Atlantic Avenue was known as the “Entrance to the Ocean.”

Atlantic Avenue also runs parallel with Tybrisa.

Last month I wrote about the establishment and beginning of Fort Screven Georgia. This month I would like to write in a little more detail about three of the six batteries that line the north shore of Tybee Island.

These batteries are the reason that Fort Screven was built. They were the first line of defense for the city of Savannah.

Battery Brumby

Battery Brumby was the first built on Fort Screven. It was started in 1897 and completed in 1898. It was the only battery in service during the Spanish American War. The Battery is named after Lieutenant Thomas M. Brumby, who served wit hthe United States Navy durning the Spanish American War. He was Admiral Dewey’s Flag Lieutenant in the Battle of Manila Bay.

The Battery had 4 8 inch guns with a range of 10 miles they were mounted on disappering carriages. Today this Battery has been divided into several different lots, gun pits 1 and 2 are the Tybee Lite Shrine Club, gun put three is managed by the Tybee Island Historical society and is in the process of being secured for guided tours and gun pit 4 is a private residence.

Battery Garland

Battery Garland, completed in 1899, was armed with one 12-inch rifled gun mounted on a non-disappearing carriage and required 47 men and two officers.

The Battey was named for Brigadier General John Garland who served in the war of 1812, the Seminole Wars, the Mexican War and the Civil War.

This battery currently houses the Tybee Island Museum.

Battery Fenwick

Battery Fenwick was completed in 1900 and was armed with two 12-inch guns. The guns had an effective range of seven to eight miles and were removed in 1942.

The battery was named in honor of Brigadier General John R. Fenwick, 4th Artillery U.S., who served in the War of 1812.

Today this battery has been converted into a private residence.

Below left are photos of these batteries as they once appeared:

Until next month,

Sarah

If you have a subject you’d like for me to write about email me at tybeelighthouse@yahoo.com

Sarah Jones is the Assistant Director of the
Tybee Island Light Station on Tybee Island. She and her husband Casey live here year-round.

FORT SCREVEN

“Light on the Past” with Sarah Jones

FORT SCREVEN – Tybee Island, GA

Few visitors to Tybee Island ever realize that there was once a military base on our small island.

The history of Fort Screven, Georgia is a short one; but one that has left its mark on Tybee with the concrete batteries that remain a permanent fixture on the north end of the island.

Here’s the scoop:

1872 It was announced by the United States government that a new fortification would be built on Tybee Island.

1875 The United States government acquired 205 acres on the north end of Tybee Island for the purpose of protecting Tybee Roads, Calibogue Sound, and the city of Savannah.

1897 The first phase of Fort Screven was begun. Originally called Fort Tybee, the name was changed to Fort Graham in honor of Brigadier General Montrose Graham, Commander of the Atlantic coast defenses. Thomas Lynch was transferred from New Jersey to oversee the repair of Fort Pulaski. Before the job was completed he was transferred to Fort Screven to supervise the building of the new fort.

1898 Six weeks before the United States declared war on Spain Fort Graham was officially named for Brigadier General James Screven, a Revolutionary War hero.

1904 By the early 20th century Fort Screven was in full operation and included six Endicott Period Fourth System batteries, an officers row of housing, headquarters buildings, a fort village which included additional housing and post service buildings, quartermasters area, post hospital, and a regimental parade ground.

1921 It was decided that many of the United States military bases should be closed in an attempt to downsize.  Fort Screven was one of many that was chosen to be deactivated. Shortly after the decision was made all but two officers and thirty men were transferred from Fort Screven and all but three of the big guns were dismantled and sent to other fortifications.

1923 With much fanfare, the 8th Infantry arrived in Savannah. They were the last troops to arrive home from Germany. The Washington Guns were fired; the city’s bells rang; and receptions, parades, and speeches were held all over the city to welcome them home. William Randolph Hearst provided his own private train to transport the men to Fort Screven. The 8th Infantry would stay at Fort Screven until the outbreak of World War II.

1932 Lieutenant George C. Marshall became the commanding officer of Fort Screven. Marshall’s first step as commander of Fort Screven was to build up a relationship between Fort Screven’s soldiers and the citizens of Savannah.  The Mayor of Savannah during this time sent Marshall some crepe myrtles to be planted around the fort.  Some of these can still be seen today around Jaycee Park

1933 The Civilian Conservation Corps  (CCC) came to Fort Screven. Fort Screven was chosen by the government to be the primary location for the CCCs’ training, and used as an administration center for a diving and salvage school. The purpose of the diving and salvage school was to train the Port Repair soldiers on how to make repairs to bridges and structures, and clear sunken ships and ordinances from under the water. Most times this was a very dangerous job with little to no visibility.

1944 In August the United States War Department announced that Fort Screven would be closing. On October 21, 1944, Fort Screven’s deactivation took place. The state of Georgia declined purchasing the fort’s property and on November 27, 1945, the federal government sold Fort Screven to the town of Savannah Beach (now named Tybee Island) for $200,000.

Until next month,

Sarah

If you have a subject you’d like for me to write about email me at:

tybeelighthouse@yahoo.com

Tybrisa

“Light on the Past”

with Sarah Jones

Today’s Tybrisa Street (known by the locals as 16th Street) was named after the old pier and pavilion that was built on Tybee following the hurricanes of 1881, 1883, 1886, and 1889. After these hurricanes the majority of businesses moved to the south end of the island due to the damages that occurred on the north end.

In 1900, to encourage people to come to the island, The Central of Georgia Railroad built a large pavilion called Tybrisa. The pavilion was the largest on Tybee and featured verandas with rocking chairs, a bandstand, men’s and women’s bathhouses, a dining room, a café, and a bar.  All of this was located directly behind the pavilion on 16th Street making Tybrisa the center of Tybee for the next 60 years.

Because Tybrisa was less expensive than some other locations on Tybee it became the most popular with the day trippers who had to watch the money they spent. Up until the 1920s the young people visiting Tybee Island were very proper. However, during the Roaring 20s this all changed and evenings out became more carefree. Every night there were dances held at the pavilions. The most popular way to travel was still the train even though there were groups that would pool their money for gas so that they didn’t have to rush to catch the last train. The most popular spot to go dancing on Tybee was the Tybrisa Pier. Tybrisa had a crystal ball that would reflect light off of glass panels.

Of course with a popular place like Tybrisa people had to get to the pier so the walkway that led from the train to the strand was traveled by most people coming to the island.  island.  So many people chose this way to get to the beach that it became known as “the entrance to the ocean.”  Eventually the walkway became 16th Street.

16th Street developed quickly due to the high volume of people moving through the area.  All kinds of eateries, hotels and boardinghouses popped up in the area to serve the people moving through. Tybee was trying to accommodate as many travelers to the island as possible by hard surfacing Tybee Road from 14th through 18th streets, from the railroad to the Strand and this included parking for 3,000 automobiles, 1,000 of which would have an ocean view parking space.  At the opening of the 1932 season Tybee was the only resort north of Florida that offered ocean-front parking.

Despite the two devastating fires of 1931 Tybee had very high hopes for the 1932 season. Two of the major hotels that had been lost were planning to rebuild even bigger and better than before.

By 1937 many of the lots that had previously been destroyed had been built on again, creating a new commercial center for Tybee. This one had strict fire codes and many of the buildings were built out of concrete block.

Between the years of 1932 and 1937 many new businesses opened on Tybee. A bus station and new post office were added and Chu’s Department Store was built. This rebuilding helped Savannah Beach’s year-round community develop a stronger population.

In 1967 one of the defining features of Tybee Island, the Tybrisa Pier, was burned down under suspicious circumstances and due to the unchecked growth during the following decades and lack of planning or control of the growth, The Strand and the South End district of Tybee Island became a shadow of its former glory.

Recently the City and Citizens of Tybee Island have worked hard to make 16th Street, or Tybrisa Street as it is known today, a wonderful example of how a community can reclaim is heritage and re-energize its citizens and economy.

Until next month,
Sarah

Saving an Authentic Tybee “Raised Cottage

This February the Tybee Island Historical Society and Cullen Chambers completed a 15 year goal.  That goal was to save a historic Tybee Raised Cottage and restore it for interpretive purposes. The Foggerty/Hosti cottage was sold to the Tybee Island Historical Society by Mike Hosti at a price that was well below market value.

Neighbors watched as the Foggerty/Hosti cottage made the slow trip from the south end of the island to the north end, but this wasn’t its first trip across the island. The historic cottage was built by the Foggerty family around the turn of the century, and it was at its first location near the sharp bend in Highway 80 until the hurricane of 1922. After the storm, it was moved to its second location further down Butler Avenue next to IGA Market. This third, and hopefully final location will be on a piece of property owned by the Tybee Island Historical Society next to the Light Station.

Part of the mission of the Tybee Island Historical Society is to preserve the history of Tybee Island.  We already do this in many ways. We are currently preserving and interpreting the military history of Fort Screven through the old museum and its exhibits, and the island’s maritime history is being interpreted by the buildings of the Light Station.  Now, with the Foggerty/Hosti cottage we have the opportunity to preserve and interpret the cultural and architectural history of Tybee.

The plans are to restore the cottage to its former glory and open it to the public for tours and events.  There is much work to do on the exterior, but the interior has been and is still close to its original state.  The cottage was prepared for the move by Savannah Restoration and the move was conducted by Braswell Brothers out of Swainsboro.  This is what a membership in the Tybee Island Historical Society can help accomplish. Such a move would not be possible without our members and volunteers.

Thank you,
Sarah

What would you like to hear about next month?
Send me an email and let me know by March 20th – just be sure to put the story idea in the subject line and send it to: tybeelighthouse@yahoo.com.

Light On The Past

The Importance of Preservation

I can remember when I told my father that I was going to Graduate School for a Masters of Fine Arts in Historic Preservation. The first thing he asked me was what was Historic Preservation. I tried to explain to him that I was going to school to learn how to save old buildings. Not just on an intellectual basis but with hands on knowledge. His response to my explanation was “Why would you want to do that? Why would you want to live in an old house when you could have a brand new one with no problems?”

Where was I to go with a comment like that? There are so many reasons. The most obvious is saving our history. Imagine if there was no Louvre, no Pyramids of Egypt, what if the United States White house had been replaced by a Mac Mansion because new was better, easier. Think of all of the wonderful houses in this nation that have been saved because people cared about the history of those places.

Just recently I went to visit a friend in Virginia who works for Monticello, Thomas Jefferson’s home. How great it was to be learning not only about Jefferson, but about architecture, gardening, and what it was like to live in the early 19th century. Thank goodness, Monticello was saved, just as on Tybee Island the Lighthouse has been saved. Not only was our Lighthouse saved, thanks to the hard work of all of our volunteers over the years, but all of the support buildings have been saved as well. We can now show and tell the complete story of the Light Keepers on Tybee Island. Speaking of volunteers, we still need plenty, so if you’re interested please give us a call at 912-786-5801.

Many people come to Tybee Island just to see the Lighthouse and stay to eat lunch or spend and evening at a local hotel. If the Lighthouse wasn’t here those people probably would not visit. We also employ a number of local people at the store, and to manage and clean the site. All of these dollars go directly back to Tybee Island.

There are other important reasons for preservation, too. First, preservation is green. Often you don’t have to use half as many of the materials to restore a building as you do to build new, yet you do have to hire just as many people to get the work done. It’s also, in most cases, cheaper to save a building then to pay to tear it down and build new. Sometimes you can even move these buildingsand save them in a cost effective way. Thanks to Mike Hosti the Tybee Island Historical Society is going to be able to save a raised cottage by moving it to our property next to the Lighthouse. This will be one more building saved – one more teaching tool that we can use to tell the story of Tybee Island. We intend to restore and interpret the house in such a way as to give visitors one more experience of what it was like to stay on Tybee in a raised cottage in the 1920’s.

Thanks to preservation and the sensitivity of Tybee’s citizens we have a unique island and many of our historic buildings are left. We’re not another Miami Beach with high-rises as far as the eye can see – just one more of the many advantages of historic preservation.

Thanks,
Sarah

What would you like to hear about next month? Send me an email and let me know by February 15th – just be sure to put the story idea in the subject line and send it to: tybeelighthouse@yahoo.com.

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