GEORGE W. MARTUS

MAY 31, 1861

JUNE 24, 1940

FLORENCE M. MARTUS

AUG. 7, 1868

FEB. 8. 1943

IN MEMORY OF THE WAVING GIRL AND HER BROTHER,

KEEPERS OF THE LIGHT HOUSE ON ELBA ISLAND. SAVH RIVER FOR 35 YRS.

Savannah, Georgia, like many historic cities has a Hop-on—Hop-off Trolley that takes you round the city with the tour guide regaling the tourists on the bus with many fascinating, spooky, and sometimes tragic stories.  Few of the stories told are as poignant as the story of the “Waving Girl.”

As the story goes, the young redhead, Florence Martus, fell in love with a good-looking sailor.  Unfortunately, he was soon to set sail shortly after they fell for each other.  But they pledged their love and promised that as soon as he returned, they would renew their love and begin their life together.  She promised to be faithful.  Patiently and hopefully, Florence waved her white apron greeting incoming ships and at night she waved a lantern hoping that her true love would be on board and see her.  For fifty years she kept her vigil by the lighthouse, but her sailor never returned.  She never again saw the love of her youth and she died broken hearted.

A bronze statue of Florence Martus was created by Felix De Weldon and erected on the east end of River Street in Savannah in remembrance of her and her lost love.