Cape St. George Lighthouse stands at the center of St. George Island, facing the Gulf of Mexico. The 72-foot brick tower is a faithful reconstruction of the nineteenth-century lighthouse formerly located on nearby Little St. George Island and includes material recovered after its collapse.
The first lighthouse in the area was built in 1833 near West Pass. A second tower was erected farther east in 1848 but was destroyed by a hurricane three years later. Its 1852 replacement served for more than a century before being deactivated in 1994. Erosion exposed the foundation, and despite stabilization work the tower collapsed on October 21, 2005. Island residents salvaged bricks from the Gulf, raised funds, and reconstructed the lighthouse at a safer site using historic drawings. The new tower opened in 2008 and was lighted in 2009.
The lighthouse is easy to reach near the end of the bridge on St. George Island. A museum and gift shop occupy the reconstructed keeper’s house, and the tower is normally open for climbing. Check the St. George Lighthouse Association for hours, special full-moon climbs, and weather closures.
The St. George Lighthouse Association operates the reconstructed station as a museum and community landmark. A modern light shines from the lantern, and the grounds, museum, and tower are generally open to visitors on a regular schedule.
