Charleston Light House

A Unique Lighthouse

The Charleston Light on Sullivan’s Island has guided mariners into the harbor since 1962. The distinctive lighthouse is part of the United States Coast Guard Historic District that includes historic buildings dating back to 1894 when the US Life Saving Service protected seafarers from dangers along the nation’s coastlines. The National Park Service protects and preserves the historic district.

Earlier Navigation Aids

In the earliest days of navigation, fire was used to warn mariners of hazards along the coast and also to mark safe passage into protected harbors. The first beacon at the entrance to Charleston Harbor was a raised metal basket fi lled with oakum and pine pitch. It was ignited at night beginning in 1673, just three years after the British founded Charles Towne. In 1767 a permanent lighthouse was built on the south end of Morris Island at the main entrance to the ship channel. Confederate forces destroyed the lighthouse in 1861 to conceal the harbor entrance from U.S. forces. After the Civil War a new lighthouse was built on Morris Island in 1876. The construction of jetties to redirect the ship channel caused significant erosion on Morris Island. Today, the 158-foot tall Morris Island Light sits 1700 feet out to sea. When the lighthouse on Sullivan’s Island was built closer to the new main channel, the Morris Island light was decommissioned. It is owned by the State of South Carolina. Local non-profit Save the Light is working to preserve the historic structure.