Halloween 2011: Ghost of the St. Simons Lighthouse

St. Simons Lighthouse

One of the most popular landmarks of the Golden Isles of the Georgia coast, the historic St. Simons Lighthouse stands on the waterfront and its light still shines out to warn ships of dangerous waters ahead.

Running the lighthouse was a serious and important job and, if the stories told about the historic old tower are true, at least one former keeper remains determined to keep the light shining....long after he passed from this earth.

Frederick Osborne was the keeper of the St. Simons light in 1880. His job was to keep the beacon operating 24-hours per day, seven days a week. He and his assistant, John Stephens, shared quarters in the adjacent lighthouse keeper's house. Osborne lived on the ground floor, while Stephens lived with his wife on the second floor.

Trouble began when Osborne supposedly spoke to Mrs. Stephens in an "inappropriate" manner. An argument broke out and John Stephens got a gun and shot the keeper. Osborne died from his wounds and Stephens was arrested and charged with murder. A jury, however, acquitted him of all charges after hearing the details of the case.
Since that time, however, a mysterious figure that some say is the ghost of Frederick Osborne has lurked in the darkness of the St. Simons Lighthouse.

Sightings of the ghost have been documented as far back as 1908 and some say they continue to this day! To learn more, please visit www.exploresouthernhistory.com/gastsimons2.