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MORRIS ISLAND
(OLD CHARLESTON) LIGHT

State: SOUTH CAROLINA
Location: MORRIS ISLAND / CHARLESTON HARBOR ENTRANCE
Nearest City: FOLLY BEACH
County: CHARLESTON
U.S.C.G. District: 7
Year Station Established: 1673

 Morris Island (Old Charleston) Light
U.S. Coast Guard photo, 1980
Existing Historic Tower:
  • Year Light First Lit: 1876
  • Is the Light Operational? NO
  • Date Deactivated: 1962
  • Automated: 1938
  • Foundation Materials: TIMBER PILING/CONCRETE BASE
  • Construction Materials: DRESSED STONE
  • Markings/Patterns: WHITE & BLACK BANDS W/BLACK LANTERN
  • Shape: CONICAL
  • Relationship to Other Structures: SEPARATE
  • Tower Height: 161
  • Original Optic: FIRST ORDER, FRESNEL
  • Year Original Lens Installed: 1858
  • Present Optic: REMOVED
  • Year Present Lens Installed:
  • Height of Focal Plane: 158
  • Fresnel Lens Disposition:
  • Has tower been moved? NO
Previous Tower(s):
  • 1. Construction Date: 1673
  • Description: RAISED METAL PAN FILLED WITH PITCH SET AFIRE NIGHTLY
  • Fate/Disposition: REPLACED WITH 1767 TOWER
  • 2. Construction Date: 1767
  • Description: OCTAGONAL CONICAL MASONRY TOWER
  • Fate/Disposition: DEMOLISHED DURING CIVIL WAR
Modern Tower? NO

Existing Sound Signal Building? NO (DESTROYED)

Existing Keepers Quarters? NO (DESTROYED 1939)
  • Year Constructed:
  • Number of Stories: 3
  • Architectural Style: GABLED
  • Construction Materials: WOOD
Other Structures: NONE SURVIVE

Current Use: PLANS FOR STABILIZATION & RESTORATION

Owner/Manager: STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA LEASE TO SAVE THE LIGHT INC.

Open to the Public? NO

Web Site: Link

National Register Status: LISTED; Reference #82003837
Name of Listing: MORRIS ISLAND LIGHTHOUSE
On State List/Inventory? YES; Year Listed: 1981

Miscellaneous:
REPLACED BY LIGHT ON SULLIVAN'S ISLAND IN 1962; PURCHASED BY A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION IN 1999 WHO SOLD PROPERTY TO STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA IN 2000



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Last Modified: Wed, Mar 06 2002 10:51:02 am EDT
JMP


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