Hunting Island Lighthouse facts for kids
| Location | Hunting Island State Park, South Carolina |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 32°22′32″N 80°26′15″W / 32.37556°N 80.43750°W |
| Year first lit | 1875 |
| Deactivated | 1933 |
| Foundation | Natural / Emplaced |
| Construction | Cast Iron / Brick lined |
| Tower shape | Conical |
| Height | 136 feet (41 m) |
| Original lens | Second order Fresnel lens |
The Hunting Island Lighthouse is a famous landmark located in Hunting Island State Park in South Carolina. It stands on Hunting Island, near the city of Beaufort. Even though it no longer guides ships, the tower is a popular spot for visitors. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1970, which means it's an important historical site.
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About the Lighthouse
The Hunting Island Lighthouse is mostly built from brick. It also has a strong outer layer made of cast-iron. This cone-shaped tower stands about 133 feet (40 meters) tall. It once held a special type of light called a Fresnel lens.
The original lamp and its special lens were taken out when the lighthouse stopped working in 1933. Today, you can see a large lens from the Morris Island Lighthouse at the bottom of the tower. The top part of the Hunting Island Lighthouse is painted black, and the bottom two-thirds are white. It never had a fog horn.
Currently, an LED lamp is inside the lighthouse. It flashes the same pattern as the original light from 1859. This lamp turns on at dusk and shines through the night. It helps visitors imagine what it was like when the lighthouse was active. When it was working, the Hunting Island Lighthouse light could be seen up to 17 miles (27 kilometers) away.
History of the Lighthouse
Building the first Hunting Island Lighthouse began in 1859. However, it was destroyed in 1862 during the Civil War. After the war, a new design was created by Major George H. Elliot. This design allowed lighthouses to be taken apart and moved if needed.
The Hunting Island Lighthouse was one of only two lighthouses in the United States built this way. It is made of cast-iron sections, each weighing up to 1,200 pounds (544 kg). These sections are bolted together to form the outer shell. Inside, a brick lining provides the main support.
Building and Moving the Lighthouse
Construction of the current lighthouse started in 1873 and finished in 1875. It has 167 steps that lead to an amazing observation deck. The stairs, railings, and support beams are made of beautifully crafted cast and wrought-iron. These parts were made by the Phoenix Iron Works company in Philadelphia.
The lighthouse was first built on the northern part of Hunting Island. But the beach started to wear away quickly due to coastal erosion. By 1888, the Atlantic Ocean's high tide was only 35 feet (11 meters) from the keeper's house. Because of this, the lighthouse, the keeper's home, and two other buildings were moved about a mile away in 1889 to where they stand today.
In 1893, a very strong storm called the 1893 Sea Islands Hurricane hit the area. The Hunting Island Lighthouse became a safe place for some people from a ship called "City of Savannah I." This ship had been pushed onto sandbanks by the storm. The lighthouse continued to operate until it was officially stopped in 1933. In 2009, people celebrated the lighthouse's 150th anniversary.
Keeping the Lighthouse Safe
The Hunting Island Lighthouse is part of Hunting Island State Park. It remains open for people to visit. Money from South Carolina and a small fee from visitors help pay for its upkeep and repairs.
In 2003, the lighthouse was closed for about 18 months. This was because rust had damaged some of its cast-iron stairs. Repairs fixed cracked stairs and added strong steel braces for support. These silvery-gray braces stand out against the black cast-iron stairs. This helps visitors see which parts are original and which were added to protect the lighthouse's history.
In 2019, studies showed that about $3 million was needed for more repairs. These repairs are mainly for cracks and damage from weather. The lighthouse was closed for repairs in January 2023. It is expected to reopen in 2025.
