The Gnarled old Sailor: Hidden Lighthouse Jewel of Georgia

Dropped a century ago in 1838, this 60-foot tall, cylindrical tower has been a stalwart over St. Andrew Sound and the Satilla River. Winslow Lewis, the ingenious mind behind it, gave it an enhancement in 1857 with a third-order Fresnel lens, extending its reach to 14 nautical miles - day or night. The lessons of time have been learned by this old salt, as the Federal Coastal Commission handed over its duties in 1915 - but it's not one to be easily swayed. These days, privately owned, it's a bit out of reach for the public by bad luck. Shining brilliantly through binoculars, it showcases two transformations - in the years 1994-1998 and 2016. Though the keeper's house and all the light station buildings have vanished like smoke, this seafaring relic stands tall, proving it's no pushover.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons