1997–98. May 26, 2004, ownership of the lighthouse was transferred to the Coastal Georgia Historical Society under the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act. The light mechanism is maintained by the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, led by Jeff Cole since 1993. The St. Simons Lighthouse, along with the northernmost water tower on Jekyll Island, creates the demarcation line that separates St. Simons Sound from the Atlantic Ocean. The lighthouse is a picturesque and beloved symbol of St. Simons Island, and Glynn County, Georgia. It is the subject of many paintings and other artistic renderings. 2010 restoration In 2010, the St. Simons Island lighthouse underwent a major renovation. It was closed to the public for several months while all interior and exterior paint was sandblasted off, and then repainted. Eight iron handrail posts at the top of the tower were replaced, having been recast from one of the originals. All ironwork was sandblasted and repaired as needed. Great lengths were taken to protect the valuable Fresnel lens during the restoration. It was bubble wrapped, shrink wrapped, and then finally enclosed in a plywood box. A temporary spotlight attached to the galley of the lighthouse continued to guide ships into the Sound while the main light was out of operation. List of Head Keepers James Gould (1811–1837) Lachlan McIntosh (1837–1852) Alexander D. McIntosh (1852–1855) John F. Carmon (1855–1861) Bradford B. Brunt (1872–1874) Frederick Osborne (1874–1880) George W. Ashbell (1880–1883) Isaac L. Peckham (1883–1892) Joseph Champagne (1892–1907) Carl O. Svendsen (1907–1935) Arthur F. Hodge (1936–1945) David O’Hagan (1945–1953) Ref: Museum The Coastal Georgia Historical Society allows visitors to climb up the 129 steps of the lighthouse tower and operates the St. Simons Lighthouse Museum in the 1872 keeper's house. The Society's headquarters are located in the adjacent A. W. Jones Heritage Center, which includes exhibits, the Society's archives, a research library, event hall, museum shop, and administrative offices. The Society also operates the World War II Home Front Museum on St. Simons. Image gallery References Further reading Jones, Ray, (1988) Southeastern Lighthouses. McCarthy, Kevin (1988) Georgia's Lighthouses and Historic Coastal Sites. Sullivan, Buddy, The Lighthouses of Georgia, The Keeper's Log, Spring 1988. External links Georgia's Coastal Lighthouses St. Simons Island Lighthouse website. Lighthouses completed in 1810 Towers completed in 1810 Lighthouses completed in 1872 Lighthouses in Georgia (U.S. state) Lighthouse museums in the United States Museums in Glynn County, Georgia Buildings and structures