This lighthouse is located on Morris Island at Charleston, SC. The first lighthouse built in 1767 was crude and the first to be erected in Southern U.S. Acting upon a decree from King George III, a tower was built at the southern entrance to Charleston Harbor. It was destroyed during the Civil War and this new tower built. The Morris Island Lighthouse stands 161-feet high and has 201 steps leading to the top. It survived a major hurricane in 1885, and the great Charleston earthquake in 1886. At one time there was a keepers dwelling located nearby.
In 1938 the light was automated and shined until the beacon was extinguished in 1962. Its navigational role was assumed by the new lighthouse on Sullivan's Island. At the time of my visit here in 2000, the Morris Island Lighthouse was believed to still be structurally sound, despite the beating from Hurricane Hugo in 1989.
Until recent years, the tower could be reached by foot at low tide from Folly Beach on James Island, SC. Because of heavy erosion, this is no longer possible.
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