History of Tybee Island, Georgia in Timeline

Tybee Island is both a city and a barrier island located in Chatham County, Georgia, situated 18 miles east of Savannah. While the name refers to both the city and the island, they aren't geographically the same. Only a section of the island is incorporated into the city, while the remaining part remains unincorporated.

1916: Fourth Day Mark Reversion

In 1916, the current black-and-white tower markings of the Tybee Lighthouse are a reversion to its fourth day mark, which was first used in 1916.

1929: Savannah Beach Renaming

In 1929, the City of Tybee Island was officially renamed Savannah Beach as a publicity measure.

1930: Tybee Post Theater Construction

In 1930, the Tybee Post Theater was constructed as one of Georgia's first theaters with sound features and became a recreational highlight of Fort Screven.

1940: Hotel development

By 1940, Tybee Island featured four hotels, including the Desoto Hotel and Hotel Tybee, along with numerous smaller lodges.

1947: Fort Screven Decommissioned

In 1947, Fort Screven was decommissioned after serving as a coastal defense.

February 5, 1958: Atomic Bomb Accident

On February 5, 1958, the U.S. Air Force accidentally dropped an atomic bomb into the sea off Tybee Island following a collision between two aircraft. The bomb, known as the "Tybee Bomb", was not recovered, raising ongoing concerns.

1967: Tybrisa Pavilion Fire

In 1967, the Tybrisa Pavilion burned down.

1970: First Days Inn Opens

In 1970, Cecil B. Day opened the first Days Inn on Tybee Island.

1978: Name Reversion

In 1978, the City of Tybee Island reverted to its original name after previously being named Savannah Beach.

1982: Fort Screven on National Historic Register

In 1982, the Fort Screven district was placed on the National Historic Register.

1987: First Beach Bum Parade

Since 1987, Tybee Island has held an annual Beach Bum parade, traditionally the weekend before Memorial Day, where onlookers engage in water gun fights.

1996: Tybee Pier and Pavilion Replacement

In 1996, the Tybee Pier and Pavilion replaced the Tybrisa Pavilion that burned down in 1967.

2004: Private Search for Tybee Bomb

In 2004, retired U.S. Air Force lieutenant Colonel Derek Duke conducted a private search for the Tybee bomb, finding high levels of radiation in Wassaw Sound.

2005: Land Acquisition for Civil War Commemoration

In 2005, the City of Tybee Island received a federal grant to purchase land where Union soldiers initiated their attack against Fort Pulaski, commemorating Tybee's role in the Civil War.

2005: Tybee Pirate Fest begins

In 2005, the Tybee Pirate Fest began. It is typically held the weekend before Columbus Day.

2005: Air Force Search for Tybee Bomb

In 2005, the U.S. Air Force launched a nine-month search for the Tybee bomb, but concluded that the high radiation levels were due to monazite.

2009: Student Population

In the 2009-10 school year, the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System, which includes Tybee Island, had approximately 34,668 students.

June 15, 2016: Shark Attack Information Policy Change

On June 15, 2016, the Tybee city council voted to withhold shark attack numbers where the attacks did not result in loss of life, reportedly due to pressure from local businesses concerned about tourism decline.

2019: Orange Crush Canceled

The 2019 "Orange Crush" event on Tybee Island was canceled after an organizer was arrested, leading to the event moving to Jacksonville Beach, Florida.