Cora Bett Thomas Real Estate

Tybee Island is the easternmost point in the state of Georgia. Officially renamed "Savannah Beach" in a publicity move at the end of the 1950s, the city of Tybee Island has since reverted to its original name. (The name "Savannah Beach" nevertheless appears on official state maps as far back as 1952 and as recently as the mid-1970s).

Native Americans, using dugout canoes to navigate the waterways, hunted and camped in Georgia's coastal islands for thousands of years. The Euchee tribe likely inhabited the island in the years preceding the arrival of the first Spanish explorers in the area in the 16th century. "Tybee" is the Euchee word for "salt."

In 1520, the Spanish laid claim to what is now Tybee Island and named it Los Bajos. During that time the island was frequented by pirates who used the island to hide from those who pursued them (some are still hiding there!).   In 1733 English settlers led by James Oglethorpe settled on Tybee Island before moving on to settle eventually in Savannah.

The small island, which has long been a quiet getaway for the residents of Savannah, has become a popular vacation spot with tourists from outside the Savannah metropolitan area. Tybee Island is also home to the the oft-photographed Tybee Island Lighthouse, and the Fort Screven Historic District.

Every year since 1987 Tybee Island has had an annual Beach Bum parade. It usually happens in May of each year. The parade route comes down the main road in Tybee, Butler Avenue, and when the floats come by participates are known to shoot each other with water-guns.