The light was erected by the United States Lighthouse Board in 1858 as the rear range light with the front light on Fig Island to guide ships into the Savannah Harbor and avoid the six British ships, which were scuttled in 1779 to impede French and American ships during the Revolutionary War.

[6] In 1958, the Trustees Garden Club developed the eastern portion of Emmet Park.

At that time, the light was in poor shape due to salt water corrosion and was stabilized with cables.

With contributions of $125,000 from the Savannah Morning News and CSX Corporation, the light was taken down in 2000 and moved to a nearby fabricator.

Rust was removed by chemical treatment, repairs were made, it was repainted, and the light was cleaned.