History
History of Tybee Island
While staying at the Ocean Plaza, you can discover Tybee Island's rich history.
By visiting local museums, monuments and historic sites, you will learn how
Tybee Island was first discovered in 1520 by Francisco Fordillo, a Spanish
explorer. You can learn why Spain fought a bloody war with France over sassafras
plants; why historians believe that Tybee Island is really the place where
Blackbeard the Pirate buried his treasure; how a decisive Civil War battle
between Confederate and Union forces was fought at nearby Fort Pulaski; how
Fort Screven, located on the north end of the island, was a training camp
for thousands of American soldiers during World Wars I and II, and how that
fort witnessed the tragedies of war when Nazi submarines sank ships as they
left the Savannah harbor during World War II.
One interesting historical fact is that since Tybee Island's discovery in
1520, seven different flags have flown over Tybee Island. These flags were
those of the Spanish, French, British, Pirate, Confederate States of America,
United States of America and the State of Georgia.
120 Years of Hospitality
The History of Our Hotel Property
Hotel Tybee Website
There has been a beach resort hotel on our property for more than 120 years.
The original Hotel Tybee was built on this site by the Central Georgia
Railroad in 1885. That charming, all wooden,
Victorian structure burned down in 1908 as did so many other landmark hotels
of that era. The second, all brick Hotel Tybee opened on this same site
in June of 1911 and featured casino gambling and a private club. Today, our recently renovated, full service conference center is
the last remaining section of the legendary Hotel Tybee.
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