Dreaming of Georgia lighthouses
Did you know many people have dreams that involve lighthouses—-Just what does that mean—I decided to do a little research and see what I might find. It has been said there are two types of means—Psychological and Mystical—here is what I found:
Psychological Meaning: The lighthouse symbolizes guidance. It helps you safely journey the stormy seas of the unconscious. Consider what it is that has helped you. Perhaps you have met someone in waking life who has guided you or have discovered a philosophy or religion to light your way and keep you off the rocks of despair.
Mystical Meaning: You will have many new opportunities to chose from say the oracles.
You never know but to see a lighthouse in a dream just might mean—you are seeking guidance during your times of hardships and turmoil—oh and if you see yourself in a dream this might just be a reflection of how you act and behave in your waking life—
Now that I have your attention once again, I am about to complete my Georgia tour—with the last installment about Georgia lighthouses.—So here we go—
Sapelo Island Lighthouse
During the early nineteenth century, the small seaport of Darien, Georgia, was a major shipping center. A deed signed and dated in 1808 by plantation owner Thomas Spalding showed that Spalding sold a small tract of land to the U.S. Lighthouse Establishment for a sum of one dollar for building a lighthouse on Sapelo. The government then contracted with Winslow Lewis of Boston in 1820 for the construction of a 90-foot brick tower, topped by a 15-foot iron lantern. A fourth-order Fresnel lens was installed atop the tower in 1853. The lighthouse was abandoned in 1862 by retreating Confederate forces stationed on the island. They removed the lens and destroyed the reflector system but left the rest of the facility intact. It was repaired and reactivated by the U.S. Lighthouse Service in 1868. In 1877 a cast-iron beacon, part of the range light system, was placed east of the main tower.
A severe hurricane in October 1898 seriously undermined the foundation of the Sapelo Lighthouse. A district inspector recommended extensive repairs or a new tower. In September 1905 a new lighthouse—a 100-foot steel pyramidal tower with a kerosene-lit flashing light—was activated and a new third-order lens was installed. By 1934 shipping traffic had become nonexistent and the Sapelo station was deactivated. Today, the lighthouse is fully restored and open to the public.
St. Simons Island Lighthouse
Built by James Gould in 1810, the first St. Simons Lighthouse stood 75 feet high. For economic reasons, most of the material used in the construction was tabby, a local mixture of oyster shell, lime, sand, and water. Gould, appointed by President James Madison, was also the first lighthouse keeper. In 1857 a third-order double-convex lens was installed.
Confederate troops destroyed the lighthouse before evacuating St. Simons Island in 1862, so that Union troops could not use it as a navigational aid. In 1867 the government ordered the construction of a second lighthouse placed north of the first. The 104-foot brick tower and adjacent keeper’s house was designed by the Irish architect Charles B. Cluskey, who died of malaria in 1871, a year before the lighthouse was completed. The head light keeper, his assistant, and their families shared the dwelling.
The lighthouse was electrified in 1934. It was completely automated in 1953. The original third-order Fresnel lens is still in operation. The station, maintained by the Coastal Georgia Historical Society, is open to the public. Oh Monica just so you know—the Gazebo can be rented for a wedding—just saying!
The Little Cumberland Island Lighthouse is located on the northern tip of Little Cumberland Island in St. Andrew Sound. The tower, built in 1838 by John Hastings of Boston, measures 22 feet wide at the base, tapering to 11 feet wide at the top. Although rarely used during the Civil War, the lighthouse on Little Cumberland escaped the devastation experienced by some of the other Georgia lighthouses at the time. In 1867 it was reactivated after being fitted with a third-order Fresnel lens.
Nine years later, workmen began to shore up the lighthouse tower foundation, which had been undermined by ocean tides. Active until 1915, Little Cumberland Island Light is now owned and preserved by a private foundation.
I hope you have enjoyed this tour and with my next post I will return to the Regular scheduled program—whatever that might be.
August 1st, 2007 at 3:59 am
Thanks again so much for sharing. I abolutely enjoyed the tour and the pics were so beautiful.
August 1st, 2007 at 4:15 am
Hi Vickie ~~ Have so enjoyed your lighthouses
but have never dreamt of one.
Thanks for your comments about my Rose painting
it has such a beautiful frame which I agree is
unique. The artist’s parents lived near me and gave it to me for a birthday one year.
Take care, dear Vickie and have a lovely day.
Love, Merle.
August 1st, 2007 at 7:51 am
They are amazing I love light houses
August 1st, 2007 at 8:08 am
Good morning, Ms. Vickie! Another great post about your beloved Georgia. The lighthouse stories are very interesting. No, I’ve never dreamed of one either (that I can remember), but been dreaming some very odd things lately!
Have a wonderful day, and I look forward to what’s coming up next here!
August 1st, 2007 at 8:47 am
I’ve never really given lighthouses much thought until now. When my daughters were in kindy I went on an excursion with them to a lighthouse in Port Adelaide. The teacher had explained to them that they would climb a ladder up to the top and would have to squeeze through a small hole to get to the very top. My daughters’ response - “How will you fit your big bottom through the small hole Mummy?”. Out of the mouths of babes. Maybe thats why I don’t give them much thought. I have thoroughly enjoyed learning about the history of those in Georgia though.
August 1st, 2007 at 12:10 pm
Hello Ms.Vicki. What a beautiful post!! Wouldn’t it be lovely to take a road trip tour and visit all these wonderful lighthouses? I don’t think I’ve ever dreamed of one though.
I have been away from the computer, but have an update on my blog, if you’d care to read it.
Bless you Ms.Vicki
August 1st, 2007 at 12:14 pm
oops I can’t figure out how to leave my blog address. Something must have changed since I was here last.
babygirlbailey.blogspot.com
August 1st, 2007 at 4:42 pm
I love lighthouses
August 1st, 2007 at 4:56 pm
That was a very interesting tour, with lots of information. You’re a very good tour guide!
I can’t remember ever dreaming of lighthouses either, but then ships and oceans never played a big part in my life, growing up in landlocked Switzerland, in a valley surrounded by mountains.
Thank you, I enjoyed the pics and history behind them.
August 1st, 2007 at 5:18 pm
I’m very partial to lighthouses. This was a lovely post…another favorite.
Take care of you.
August 1st, 2007 at 11:28 pm
Lighthouses mark the ages and tell stories of times gone by.
May a sailor has owed his life to a lighthouse and many more will join those ranks I am sure.
I have seen different finds through out Canada and and they are beautiful I wouldn;t want to live next to one while trying to sleep LOL
Have a nice day
August 2nd, 2007 at 1:20 pm
Wow - incredible light houses!! I loved the Sapelo Island Lighthouse with the red and white stripes.
As for a metaphor, you are my light house because you always help me find my way in the dark and the storms.
Love you!
August 2nd, 2007 at 8:33 pm
Another very enjoyable trip through Georgia Vickie, there is an almost mystic facination with lighthouses everywhere.
August 4th, 2007 at 1:23 am
Georgia has many lights and they aren’t all houses. You my dear are a lighthouse for many.
August 5th, 2007 at 2:47 am
Vickie,
What an absolutely wonderful series! Your picturea and narrative would serve the tourism industry extreamly well. You have got me wanting to visit. Now , Ive got Geaorgia on my mind! I love the lighthouses!
August 5th, 2007 at 3:54 pm
Looooove the pics.How totally interesting.Thanks taking such great measures to explain the background and the where’s and why’s,and what for’s for these lighthouses.I never really gave it much thought….but this is really interesting.
HUGS!!
T.
August 9th, 2007 at 10:21 pm
Thank you vickie.
I have decided not to visit Georgia dear, because it is beautifully explained in detail. You could do the rest too.
August 11th, 2007 at 8:52 am
I tried to call you yesterday morning. I had a long talk with Doug and we were discussing NC and he’s going to stop in to visit when he goes back through. He thought I was still in Texas and was inviting me to lunch.
Hope all is well with you. Life is simply good here.
September 23rd, 2007 at 12:24 pm
Wow, that restoration is amazing. Lighthouses are cool just like windmills. They remain cool because the world isn’t saturated with them.