Tybee Island History

In the Beginning

The Origin of the name “Tybee”, like the history of the Island itself, has many interpretations. Most historians believe “Tybee” derives from the Native American Euchee Indian word for “salt” which was one of many natural resources found on Tybee. Those resources have played an important role throughout the Island’s history including Spanish exploration for riches from the new world in 1520 by Lucas Vasquez de Ayllon who laid claim to Tybee as part of Spain’s “La Florida” which extended from the Bahamas to Nova Scotia. In 1605, the French were drawn to Tybee in search of Sassafras roots, which at the time were considered by Europeans to be a miracle cure. The Spanish would fight the French in a naval battle just off shore to Tybee to regain control over the area.

For many decades pirates visited the Island in search of a safe haven and hiding places for treasure. Tybee and remote islands like it would also be a source of fresh water and game to replenish supplies. Spain would be forced to give up their claim to Tybee and other extremities due to superior French and British settlements. In 1733, General James Oglethorpe and a handful of settlers came to the area. They called it Savannah, because of the vast marshlands and tall grass. Here they established the new colony, which would be named to honor King George. Tybee was considered to be extremely important to the development and future of Savannah and the colony because of its location at the mouth of the Savannah river. General Oglethorpe ordered a lighthouse constructed to mark the entrance to the river in 1736 and a small fort to be constructed to ensure control over access to the river. In 1736 John Wesley, the “Father of Methodism,” said his first prayer on the American Continent at Tybee.

Tybee would play a significant role throughout Georgia and U.S. history, including the Revolutionary War when Tybee served as the staging area for French Admiral D’Estaing’s ill-fated 1779 “Seige of Savannah” when combined multinational forces attempted to defeat the British held Savannah.

Civil War with Close Ties

During the War of 1812, the Tybee Island Lighthouse was used as a signal tower to warn Savannah of a possible attack by the British. Though no such attack took place, a “Martello Tower” was constructed on Tybee to provide protection in guarding the Savannah River. On the western end of the island, an area known as a “lazaretto”, a variation of an Italian word meaning ‘hospital for the contagious’, was established to quarantine slaves and other passengers who might be carrying diseases. Mass burial on Tybee would be the final port of call for many of those quarantined there.

By the outbreak of the American Civil War, Tybee would again play an important military role in U.S. history. First Confederates occupied the Island. In December of 1861, the Rebel forces would withdraw to Fort Pulaski under orders from Robert E. Lee to defend Savannah and the Savannah River. Union forces under the Command of Quincy Adams Gilmore took control of Tybee and began constructing cannon batteries on the west side of Tybee facing Fort Pulaski about one mile away. On April 11th, 1862, those cannon batteries would fire a new weapon called “Rifled Cannon” at Fort Pulaski and change forever the way the world protected its coastal areas. Within 30 hours, the rifled guns had such a devastating effect on the brick fort that it was surrendered and all forts like Pulaski were considered obsolete.

After the Civil War, Tybee began to grow as a resort area for local Savannah residents who wanted to escape the heat of downtown for the cooling breezes of Tybee Island. There were very few year around residents before the 1870’s but by the 1890’s there were over 400 beach cottages and other buildings built for the “summer” residents.

In 1855, Fort Screven was ordered built on the North end of Tybee to provide a more modern system of seacoast defenses. Six poured concrete low profile gun batteries and a minefield were ordered for Tybee along with hundreds of other military buildings. Gun Batteries, such as Battery Garland would be named to honor America’s war heroes. From 1897 to 1947, Fort Screven would be an integral part of America’s Coastal Defense system. Troops would train and stand guard on Tybee through the Spanish-American War of 1898, World War I, and World War II. In 1947, the Fort was closed and sold to the Town of Tybee and Tourism returned as a major part of Tybee’s history.

In 1961, Battery Garland, the former gun battery and magazine for a 12-inch long-range gun, became the Tybee Island museum. Rooms which once stored six hundred pound projectiles and two hundred pound bags of gunpowder, now hold the collections and exhibits of over four hundred years of Tybee Island history.

Where We Are Today!

Our beautiful island is situated just 18 miles east of Historic Savannah with easy access by car. Tybee is conveniently located just 32 miles from the Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport. Located along Georgia’s coast overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, Tybee Island is a barrier island with six and a half miles of beaches, providing you with a wide variety of indoor and outdoor activities.

Walk along the beach and watch a majestic sunrise. Stroll along Tybee’s Back River and watch the dolphins play while enjoying a fabulous sunset. Swim or wade in the surf, bicycle or walk through many quaint neighborhoods. Enjoy the doors by kayak! Bring your boat or kayak or rent one on your next vacation on Tybee. Try surf fishing along the beach, or go inshore or offshore fishing. Parasail and overlook the Atlantic Ocean, Tybee and Little Tybee. Jet skis and watercraft are available for rent. Climb the recently restored Tybee Lighthouse and overlook all of Tybee! Our area has an abundance of golf courses nearby.

If you are looking for the perfect place to enjoy a quiet romantic getaway, or simply rest and renew, picturesque Tybee Island is the place! Many of Oceanfront Cottage homes are located in Tybee’s quaint, quiet neighborhoods.

Many of our visitors return to our peaceful island for this very reason!