Throughout the history of the Southeast, lighthouses have served to safely guide mariners into port. Many have been lost due to erosion or storms, but ten remain today that you can visit with your family for a day trip of history and adventure. Here are some of the best lighthouses near charleston sc to check out on your next road trip:
Morris Island Lighthouse
The tallest in South Carolina, this lighthouse stands at 161 feet on the southern end of Charleston Harbor and is a popular stop for tourists. A variety of boat tours will take you to the lighthouse for a fee, and if you have a good eye, you may be able to see dolphins, sea turtles, and other wildlife as well.
Once upon a time, the lighthouse was part of an impressive complex of buildings. Nautical maps from the late 1800s show 15 buildings on the grounds, including three keepers’ residences, barns, chicken coops, and a one-room schoolhouse for the lightkeepers’ children. However, during the secession of 1860, South Carolina seized all coastal lighthouses to prevent Union troops from using them. The lighthouse would later be replaced by a new 102-foot tower.
Though eroded over time, the Morris Island Lighthouse is still functional and can be visited as a tourist attraction today. It is often referred to as a “fake lighthouse” as it is not historic, but it has stood on the island since 1962 and guides boats, tankers, cruise ships, and other mariners into Charleston Harbor. The unique, triangular design is a popular local landmark and is even featured on the state flag.
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