WTOC, Savannah, Georgia, news, weather and sports | Cockspur Lighthouse Relit

3/18/07

Cockspur Lighthouse Relit

A Savannah landmark is once again shining brightly. The National Park Service relit the Cockspur Lighthouse tonight for the first time in nearly 100 years.

For more than 150 years, the lighthouse has stood guard at the mouth of the Savannah River; however, most ships use the North Channel so the Cockspur's South Channel light wasn't needed.

The new light will not be used as a navigational aid. Instead, the solar-powered light will be maintained by the National Park Service and serve a very important role, telling Savannah's history.

"The significance of this evening's event is we're restoring a major sentinel," explained Superintendent Charles Fenwick. "It was a witness to the battle of Fort Pulaski. It's one of five historic lighthouses in Georgia. The National Park Service is about real history and we're restoring the historic scene."

After the lighting ceremony, the US Coast Guard flew overhead in recognition of the new beacon.

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