South Carolina - Hilton Head Range Rear Lighthouse

This lighthouse is located on Hilton Head Island, SC. It is the remaining one-half of the range light system used as navigational aid to mariners approaching the island. Officially it is called the Hilton Head Lighthouse, and the tower is often referred to as the Leamington Light as it was originally built on the Leamington Plantation.

The first range lights built on the island in 1863 were in use for approximately 6-years before being destroyed by a severe storm. Replacement range lights were built in 1880. Originally, the front range light was set atop the keepers dwelling, but due to shifting land that light was moved multiple times to other locations. The 95-foot iron tower, pictured above, served as the rear light of the range light system. There are 112 steps to reach the top of the tower. In 1932 both range lights were decommissioned. As of the time of my visit here in 2000, the front range light no longer existed.


During WWII the island was used by the U.S. Marines for training. After they departed the island, the tower and surrounding land was later sold to Greenwood Development Corp.

During the 1980's the Palmetto Dunes Resort incorporated the lighthouse into its golf course. The lighthouse stands between the eight and ninth greens of the course. This lighthouse was restored in 1986. At the time of my visit, it was open to the public only by special permission of the management group.