Morris Island Light facts for kids
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| Morris Island Lighthouse | |
 Morris Island Light
Location in South Carolina
Morris Island Light
Location in the United States
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| Location | Morris Island, South Carolina (Charleston Harbor entrance) |
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| Coordinates | 32°41′43″N 79°53′1″W / 32.69528°N 79.88361°W |
| Year first lit | 1876 |
| Automated | 1938 |
| Deactivated | 1962 |
| Foundation | Timber piling, concrete base |
| Construction | Dressed stone |
| Tower shape | Conical |
| Height | 161 feet (49 m) |
| Original lens | First-order Fresnel, 1858 |
The Morris Island Light is a famous lighthouse located on Morris Island in South Carolina. It stands at the southern entrance to Charleston Harbor, just north of Folly Beach. This historic lighthouse was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. This means it is a special place worth protecting because of its history.
When the lighthouse was built in 1876, it was on land, about 1,200 feet (370 m) from the ocean. But over time, the island around it started to shrink. This happened because of jetties built in 1889 to help ships get into Charleston Harbor. These jetties changed the ocean currents, causing the sand on Morris Island to wash away quickly. By 1938, the water had reached the lighthouse itself. It was no longer safe for people to live there, so the light was set up to work automatically. In 1962, the Morris Island Light was turned off and a new lighthouse, the Charleston Light, was built on Sullivan's Island to take its place.
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History of the Morris Island Lighthouse
The first lighthouse on Morris Island was built by the Colony of South Carolina in 1767. It was a brick tower. After the United States became a country, this lighthouse, like others, was given to the new Federal Government in 1789.
In 1838, the lighthouse was described as having a revolving light. The tower was about 102 feet (31 m) tall. A new, powerful lens was put in place on January 1, 1858, to make the light even brighter.
The Lighthouse During the Civil War
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The American Civil War began in 1861. Before the war, officials worried that the lights in South Carolina would be taken over. On December 20, 1860, the government decided not to light the coast if South Carolina did not want them to. Soon after, South Carolina took control of the lighthouses and other aids to navigation. By April 1861, most lighthouses along the southern coast were turned off or removed.
During the war, the lens and lantern of the Morris Island Lighthouse were destroyed. In total, 164 lights were stopped during the Civil War. After the war ended in 1865, most lights were turned back on. The channels for ships in Charleston Harbor had changed a lot, so new temporary lights were set up to guide ships safely.
Building a New Lighthouse
Because the old lighthouse was destroyed, Congress approved money for a new one on Morris Island in 1873. They wanted a new, tall brick tower with a powerful flashing light. The foundation was built with strong concrete.
The new tower was finished in 1876. It stood 161 feet (49 m) tall and cost almost $150,000. A very bright Fresnel lens was installed to help ships see the light from far away.
Challenges and Changes
The lighthouse faced many challenges over the years. In 1885, a strong storm, called a cyclone, damaged some of the buildings around the lighthouse. It destroyed walls, bridges, and walkways. Workers quickly repaired the damage and set up a temporary light.
In 1886, a big earthquake shook Charleston. The earthquake moved the lighthouse's lens out of place and caused cracks in the tower. Luckily, the tower was still strong. The lens was fixed, and the cracks were repaired quickly.
As mentioned earlier, the land around the lighthouse kept eroding. This led the Coast Guard to build a new lighthouse, the Charleston Light, on Sullivan's Island. This new light was turned on in 1962, and the Morris Island Light was no longer needed.
What Happened After the Lighthouse Was Turned Off?
Since the Morris Island Lighthouse was turned off, hurricanes have caused more damage. In 1989, Hurricane Hugo hit Charleston very hard. It destroyed all the other buildings around the lighthouse, leaving only the main tower standing. The dock that led to the lighthouse was also destroyed by Hurricane Irma in 2017.
Saving the Light
In 1999, a group called Save The Light, Inc. bought the historic lighthouse for $75,000. Their goal was to protect and save it. In 2000, the lighthouse was given to the State of South Carolina. Save The Light, Inc. then leased it for 99 years to help fix it, stop the erosion, and raise money for the work. Since 2007, Save The Light, Inc. has sometimes lit up the lighthouse again for special events.
Restoration Efforts
In 2010, a big project was finished to make the lighthouse more stable. Workers put a ring of concrete around its base and added strong poles through the foundation. This helped to keep the lighthouse from falling over. After Hurricane Irma, efforts focused on fixing the dock, which was repaired in 2019. Studies are also being done to check the stability of the lighthouse's stairs. It is estimated that it will cost about $7 million to fully restore the lighthouse.
