South Carolina Has 6 Lost Lighthouses Most People Don’t Know About
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Robin Jarvis
Author
Are you a lighthouse lover? If so, you’re not alone. The study of – and even just enthusiasm for – lighthouses is called pharology. In today’s step back in time, pharologists and curiosity seekers alike will learn about six lost lost lighthouses in South Carolina, including some lost range lights that were also prominent and instrumental as navigational tools for seafaring vessels.
During the Civil War, a fort (Fort Ripley) was thrown together on an artificial island in the Charleston Harbor. In 1878, the shoal on which it sat was the site of the newly constructed Fort Ripley Shoal Light (also called the Middle Ground Light). The screwpile-design lighthouse was erected only a short distance from Fort Ripley to mark submerged rocks in the water. It was dismantled in 1932 and nothing remains of the light. The word on Fort Ripley, however, is that it is still there... submerged beneath the water in Charleston Harbor.
Seen here photographed in 1885, the Haig Point Front Range Light was built entirely of wood and was located about half a mile from the Haig Point Rear Range Light, which still stands today. Visitors can actually spend the night in the Rear Haig Point Lighthouse.
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The first lighthouse on Morris Island was built of brick in 1767 by the Colony of South Carolina. During the Civil War, it was extinguished and the lens and lantern were reported as destroyed.
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After the first light was destroyed, an observation tower (pictured) was built on top of the lighthouse ruins during the Civil War.
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In 1876, the new Morris Island Light was put into service. The complex included several buildings; the last of which were destroyed in 1989 by Hurricane Hugo. All that remains today of the complex is the lighthouse itself. We included this light on the list because the light keeper's residence is now gone — and so is almost all of the island. At one point, Morris Island also featured range lights positioned around the now mostly underwater island.
This old image of Fort Sumter shows the old range light erected at the fort.
Range lights were paired up for ships to line up when navigating into port.
Following the Civil War, a temporary range light was erected on Fort Sumter. It was lit from 1893 to 1915 and worked in tandem with another range light located on the mainland in Charleston.
Following the Civil War, a temporary range light was erected on Fort Sumter. It was lit from 1893 to 1915 and worked in tandem with another range light located on the mainland in Charleston.
Together, the Fort Sumter Range Light and the Range Light in the steeple helped to guide ships into Charleston.
The Fort Sumter Range Light today is the main approach for Charleston Harbor. The current lights are located with the Front Light near to Fort Sumter and the Rear Light very near to where the Fort Ripley Shoal Light once stood.
The Fort Sumter Range Light today is the main approach for Charleston Harbor. The current lights are located with the Front Light near to Fort Sumter and the Rear Light very near to where the Fort Ripley Shoal Light once stood.
Did you know there were so many lost lighthouses in South Carolina? What’s your favorite lighthouse that’s still around? Check out all of them in this previous article!
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