In 1854, Congress authorized the construction of a lighthouse on Hunting Island to replace a lightship in St. Helena Sound. In 1859, the 95' lighthouse was finished, it was a quarter of a mile from the Ocean. The lamp was lit in July of 1859 for the first time.
Like most other lighthouses during the Civil War, this lighthouse was completely destroyed in 1862. When scouting out a new location for the second lighthouse, a location a mile to the south was chosen due to beach erosion. On July 1st of 1875, the new 132 1/2' lighthouse was lit.
Once again beach erosion was threatening the lighthouse. So in 1889, the lighthouse was unbolted and taken apart. This was capable due to its steel plate construction. It was moved another 1.25 miles south and put back together. This is now its final resting place. Not only did the tower have to be moved, but all of its support buildings as well. This included an oil house, a 2 1/2 story keepers house, and two out buildings.
Since all supplies delivered to the lighthouse were brought via Johnson's Creek some 3000 feet away, a 30' X 40' wooden wharf was made as well as a tramway to ease this task. This track was replaced by iron in 1907. I have a picture of a replica cart on a subsequent page.
Neat Facts:
The tower stands 132 and a half feet tall and held a second-order Fresnel lens. The exterior markings made it a day mark. The lighthouse was visible for 17 miles out to sea. It is open to the public, but I regretfully didn't get there in time, so I was not able to climb the 167 steps to the top.
Directions: From Beaufort, SC follow US-21 (Sea Island Parkway) east to Hunting Island State Park. There will be a fee to enter the park. At some point, US-21 merges with state route 406. Eventually you will see Hunting Island Drive. You will make a left onto this and follow it a short distance where you will make a left onto North Beach Drive. The lighthouse is at the tip if this road.
To rate this lighthouse, click on a number below: 
Lighthouse Rating: 5.50
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