Wednesday, May 26, 2004-St. Simons Island, GA-From the front walk of the St. Simons Island Lighthouse, Secretary Gale Norton braved the early summer heat to announce the initiation of the ownership transfer of the lighthouse to the Coastal Georgia Historical Society. The announcement made the St. Simons Lighthouse the 12th lighthouse recommended for transfer under the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act (NHLPA).

“The Coastal Georgia Historical Society is an example of the ideal lighthouse steward because it restored the buildings and grounds of the St. Simons Island Light Station over the past 25 years,” Secretary Norton said. “Groups like the Society and its volunteers are the lifeblood of lighthouse preservation around the nation.”

The ceremony was co-hosted by Chairman Fred Cooper and the other members of the U. S. Host Committee for the G-8, a group of leaders of the eight top industrialized nations, including President Bush. A G-8 legacy project will be housed at the planned new heritage center of the Coastal Georgia Historical Society.

The 104-foot brick lighthouse already attracts 100,000 visitors annually. The structure, which went into service in 1872, preserves an excellent intact example of the 19th century Victorian coastal lighthouses that once lined the eastern seaboard.