Georgia’s Department of Transportation has issued an enhancement grant to Glynn County.

The $250,000 grant will go towards restoring the keeper’s dwelling at St. Simons Island Lighthouse.

Director Sherri Jones says the dwelling is the oldest brick building on the island and is iconic.

“You know it’s very lucky that we have an original keepers dwelling, not many lighthouses still have a keepers dwelling. So the St. Simons Lighthouse, I think, is really the icon for this area, and for our part of the coast, I think, the keepers dwelling just makes it even more special.”

The dwelling, which was built in the 1870’s, housed the lighthouse operators and their families up until the 1950’s.

Jones says that they will do fundraisers to come up with what the grant doesn’t cover.

A local history museum will be added before its opening in 2013.

Tags: Glynn County, GDOT, St. Simons Island, lighthouse, keepers dwelling, Coastal Georgia Historical Society