Florence Martus · 162 Falligant Street

Photograph coming soon

162 Falligant Street · Savannah, Georgia

Florence Martus was born in 1868 on the Georgia barrier islands — daughter of John Martus, a lighthouse keeper. She grew up near the water and never really left it.

For forty-four years she waved at every ship that passed Elba Island with a handkerchief by day and a lantern by night. She never missed a ship. Sailors from around the world knew her. The Waving Girl became one of Savannah's most enduring symbols.

What the ghost tours do not tell: In 1911 Florence Martus rowed alone into the Savannah River and pulled eight men from a sinking vessel. She was forty-three years old.

When her brother George retired as lighthouse keeper in 1931 they moved to 162 Falligant Street in Thunderbolt — still on the water. She died there in 1943. The 1940 census confirms her at that address, age 71, listed as Sister in her brother's household.

Every tourist who photographs her statue on River Street is three miles from where she died. No marker at 162 Falligant Street.

Every tourist photographs her statue on River Street. Nobody knows she died in Thunderbolt. Nobody knows she rowed alone into the river and saved eight men.

44Years she waved at every ship that passed Elba Island

8Men she saved from a sinking vessel in 1911

1943Year she died at 162 Falligant Street, Thunderbolt

THE RECORD Primary Source

Tap to view full document

1940 U.S. Census · ED 25-88 · Sheet 8A

Name	Florence M. Martus
Relation	Sister
Age	71
Birthplace	Georgia
Address	162 Falligant Street, Thunderbolt
Enumerated	April 19, 1940

All information derived from publicly available historical records. DEED History, April 2026.

Primary Source Citation

1940 United States Census · ED 25-88 · Sheet 8A · Florence M. Martus, Sister, age 71 · 162 Falligant Street, Thunderbolt · 1880 census also confirms earlier address · Both images viewed directly · DEED History, April 2026

For 44 Years She Wavedat Every Ship.

For 44 Years She Waved
at Every Ship.