Island Lighthouse Museum The original St. Simons Lighthouse, built in 1811, was destroyed by Confederate troops in 1861 to prevent its use by Union sailors. Rebuilt in 1872, it continues to operate today, owned by the Coastal Georgia Historical Society and maintained by the Coast Guard Auxiliary. The adjacent keeper's residence Is now a museum operated by the Coastal Georgia Historical Society, featuring lighthouse exhibits and a restored keeper's dwelling. Visitors may climb the 129 steps to the observatory for panoramic views of the ocean, nearby islands and the mainland. Education St. Simons Island is part of the Glynn County School District. There are two public schools on the Island: Oglethorpe Point Elementary and St. Simons Elementary, both serving grades PK to 5. Zoned schools include: Oglethorpe Point Elementary School (OPES) and St. Simons Elementary School (SSES) Glynn Middle School (GMS) Glynn Academy (GA) Private schools: Frederica Academy – grades PK-12 St. Simons Christian School – grades PK-8 Notable people Tina McElroy Ansa, novelist, journalist, essayist, and short-story writer. Griffin Bell, former U.S. Attorney General Iris Faircloth Blitch, former United States Representative to congress. Morgan Brian, member of the United States women's national soccer team, World Cup Champion, Olympian Alton Brown, Food Network Personality Jim Brown, Hall of Fame NFL player and actor Kwame Brown, Former NBA player, Glynn Academy High School Jonathan Byrd, professional golfer Jack Davis, cartoonist. William Diehl, Award-winning novelist, New York Times Best Seller list Sam Hunt Part-time resident, country singer. Anna Jay, professional wrestler competing at AEW. Zach Johnson, professional golfer Bessie Jones, gospel singer Matt Kuchar, professional golfer Davis Love III, professional golfer Mack Mattingly, former U.S. Senator J. Reginald Murphy, former editor of Atlanta Constitution, San Francisco Chronicle, and former president of National Geographic Society Sam Nunn, former U.S. Senator Eugenia Price, Author of the Georgia Trilogy and St. Simons Trilogy, among other historical novels. Bob Schieffer, American television journalist and former anchor of the CBS Evening News John Smoltz, retired MLB pitcher, formerly with the Atlanta Braves Adam Wainwright, MLB pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals Larry White, Vice President, Architectural Components Group Inc. Heather Whitestone, Miss America 1995, first disabled Miss America. See also Hurricane Dora Tropical Storm Fay (2008) References Sources External links Golden Isles Visitors Bureau, Golden Isles Visitors Bureau Glynn County Government History of St. Simons Island , New Georgia Encyclopedia St. Simons Island, Sherpa Guides Coastal Georgia