Today's History Lesson

Tybee Island has always held a position of strategic position at the entrance of the Savannah River from the Atlantic Ocean. If you are going to attack Savannah from the sea you are going to pass by Tybee Island. Today we will spend a little time talking about Fort Screven.

Fort Screven is named for General James Screven, a revolutionary war hero who was killed in battle near Midway Meeting House, Georgia on November 22, 1778. The fort is on the north end of Tybee Island. The plans were drawn up in 1872 and land was acquired in 1875. Then in typical federal government fashion, nothing happened. In 1896 with the threat of war with Spain looming construction began on what was at the time call Fort Tybee. The military first referred to it as Fort Graham but the name was soon changed to Fort Screven. The batteries were not completed in time for the Spanish American War but eventually six were completed on Tybee Island. The only one open to the public at this time is Battery Garland which houses the Tybee Island Museum. Battery Garland was completed in 1899 and mounted four 12 inch guns. The fort was initially for the Coastal Artillery Corps but in 1929 it was taken over by the 8th Infantry. In 1932 Fort Screven was commanded by Lt. Colonel George Catlett Marshall who went on to command the entire U.S. military during World War 2. He was the author of the Marshall Plan which rebuilt war torn Europe and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1953. At the end of World War 2 the fort was declared surplus and sold to the City of Savannah Beach (now the City of Tybee Island) for $200,000. The city in turn auctioned the property off to the public.

This is the Fort Screven officer's quarters.

Fort Screven in the early 1900's.

Troops with one of the Fort Screven battery guns.

This was the main guard house at the entrance to Fort Screven.

This marker stands at the southeast entrance to the fort.

One of several local signs marking entrances to Fort Screven.

This is the post theater. It is in the process of being restored by a local group. In the Spring Carol and I attended a wine festival held to raise funds for the project. Since tourist season is over the group is having a showing of Jaws this Friday. Island humor, you have to love it.

 The building pictured above was the enlisted troops mess hall from 1924 to 1929. It is now available as a vacation rental.

This building is now the Tybee Arts Center. It was the fort's fire station.

 



This building was the fort's bakery. The southern live oak in front is one of the most beautiful on the entire island.

This is the placard on the side of the bakery.

A better picture of the southern live oak in front of the bakery.