The original Saint Simons Island lighthouse, marking the entrance point to St. Simons Sound, was completed in 1810. James Gould, a builder from New England, suggested it could be constructed of tabby, a mixture of sand, lime, water and oyster shells. During the Madison era, the builder stayed on as the lighthouse keeper.
During the Civil War, the Confederate Army destroyed the structure, preventing its use by the Union Navy. Soon afterward, the light tower was rebuilt and it still guides out-of-towners toward Brunswick, Georgia. Visitors come to see the lighthouse and enjoy the historic and peaceful Saint Simons Island.