Top Lighthouses

Our Lighthouses are some of the most recognized in the world. North Carolina Lighthouses  & South Carolina Lighthouses

North Carolina - Lighthouses

The coastal shores of North Carolina are home to some of the nations most beautiful and magnificent lighthouses.  However, their beauty is only a secondary benefit as many find these lights stand guard over one of the nation's most treacherous coastlines known as the "Graveyard of the Atlantic".  There have been 600+ ships lost at sea along this stretch of coast.  Even though modern GPS systems are more efficient navigational aids, these lights still stand tall providing sailors that reassuring light guiding them to shore.

Bald Head Island

HISTORY: The Bald Head Lighthouse (also known as "Old Baldy") is located on Bald Head Island.  This light station was built in 1817 and is octagonal in shape with the lantern room set off center.  First off, the Oak Island Light sits on the next island to the south.  The two lighthouses are very close and the Oak Island light is very modern up to date where as "Old Baldy" is not. HEIGHT: 110 feet BEAM VISIBILITY: This lighthouse is not currently in use. CLIMBING: The tower is preserved in its original form.  The stairs are still made of wood and the lighting is not very good on the climb up.  When you get to the top, there is a wooden ladder that goes to the lantern room which is small and narrow (only a few people can be in it at a time).  Signs indicate that the building is not up to North Carolina codes (pass at your own risk). DESCRIPTIONS: Take Hwy 211 from Hwy 17 at Supply, NC and go East until you come to Southport.  Turn right onto 9th street and follow until it ends at the ferry dock.  The ferry ride is $15.00 for a round trip ticket. ADMISSIONS: At the lighthouse, a $3.00 donation is requested for admission to the lighthouse and grounds.  A replica keeper's quarters has been built by the Old Baldy Foundation and serves as a museum and gift shop.  Be prepared to spend the day on this quiet little island.

Bodie Island Replica

HISTORY: The Bodie Island Lighthouse is located on the Outer Banks in the Cape Hatteras National Seashore.  This light station was built in 1872.  From 1932 until May 1, 1940 the keepers (Principal: Vernon Gaskill; Assistance: Julian Austin) took turns turning the light on/off as (denoted by historical register). In May '40 the station was made "unmanned" HEIGHT:170 feet BEAM VISIBILITY: 19 miles (The first-order Fresnel lens and a 1000 watt bulb light was automated in the early 50') CLIMBING: At this time the lighthouse is not open for the public to climb.  However, the base of the tower is open to the public to walk into and view the stairway to the top.  The tower is in need of repair and work is under way to restore the light station. DESCRIPTIONS: To visit the Bodie Island Lighthouse, take NC Hwy 12 south from Nags Head.  About 8 miles after your enter the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, there will be a sign on the right side of the road directing you to the light. VOLUNTEERING: Help with it's restoration by clicking here.

Cape Hatteras

HISTORY: The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is located on the Outer Banks in the Cape Hatteras National Seashore.  This lighthouse is probably the most well known light in the country and the most recognized symbol of North Carolina.  This lighthouse underwent a move in location in 1999 under much controversy.  The lighthouse was moved 2900 feet southwest from its original location.  On November 13, 1999, the light was re-lit. Mattamuskeet Lake Cam Photo  (From top of lighthouse view)  This light station was built in 1870.  After completion, the lighthouse was fitted with a first-order Fresnel lens around a light that turned at 1/4 RPM.  Today, it houses a modern AreoBeacon.

HISTORY: The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is located on the Outer Banks in the Cape Hatteras National Seashore.  This lighthouse is probably the most well known light in the country and the most recognized symbol of North Carolina.  This lighthouse underwent a move in location in 1999 under much controversy.  The lighthouse was moved 2900 feet southwest from its original location.  On November 13, 1999, the light was re-lit. Mattamuskeet Lake Cam Photo  (From top of lighthouse view)  This light station was built in 1870.  After completion, the lighthouse was fitted with a first-order Fresnel lens around a light that turned at 1/4 RPM.  Today, it houses a modern AreoBeacon.

Currituck Beach Lighthouse

HISTORY: After the construction of the Bodie Island Lighthouse in 1872, there continued to be a tremendous "dark spot" between the light at Cape Henry, VA and the light a Bodie Island.  In an effort to eliminate this "dark spot," construction of the Currituck Beach Lighthouse began in 1873 near the town of Corolla, NC.  Construction took just two years and by December of 1875, the lighthouse was in operation, guiding mariners along one of the most dangerous areas of coastline in the southeastern United States.  It took the builders nearly one million bricks to construct the 162-foot tower.  The builders also decided to leave the tower unpainted, to help distinguish the tower from its twin, Bodie Island, located to the south. The lighthouse was automated in 1939, and the keepers of the light were no longer needed. Although the lighthouse remained in service under the jurisdiction of the Coast Guard, the lighthouse and the surrounding buildings were left to the elements. By the 1970’s, the keeper’s quarters and the stations other buildings were so badly neglected, that they were basically in ruins. Then in 1980, the Outer Banks Conservations, Inc. leased the site from the state of North Carolina. The OBC began the process of raising funds and began the restoration process to re-open the lighthouse. In 2001, the United States government declared the lighthouse surplus property. Under the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act of 2000, the OBC and the County of Currituck submitted applications to be awarded ownership of the lighthouse. After review of the applications, the OBC was deemed to be the best suited to care for the lighthouse.  However, local politicians became involved in the process and made numerous attempts to interfere in the process in an attempt to help the county gain ownership of the lighthouse.  All of these attempts failed, and in 2003, ownership was transferred to the OBC.   BEAM VISIBILITY:18 miles (first order Fresnel lens)  CLIMBING: Unkonwn  DESCRIPTIONS: To visit the Currituck Beach Lighthouse, take NC Hwy 12 north from Nags Head.  As you enter the town of Corolla, the lighthouse will be visible on the left side of the road.  For more information on visiting the lighthouse, visit The Official Site of the Currituck Beach Lighthouse.

Oak Island Lighthouse

HISTORY: The Oak Island Lighthouse is located on Oak Island at Caswell Beach.  This light station was built in 1958 and is the southern most light in North Carolina, and was built to guide ships to the mouth of the Cape Fear river.  The lantern room in this tower is made of aluminum.  The intensity of the lights can be increased during storms to produce fourteen million candlepower when necessary.  The heat from the lights can be so intense, that special clothing must be worn during maintenance on the lantern room.  This lighthouse will never need to be painted since the colors were mixed into the concrete when construction took place.  Also, the lighthouse is designed to sway up to three feet in gale-force winds.  This light is the next to last light station built by the Coast Guard, the last being the Sullivan's Island Lighthouse located on Sullivan's Island, SC. HEIGHT:155 feet BEAM VISIBILITY:19 miles (8 high-powered mercury bulbs, each carrying a capacity of 480 volts, producing 4 white flashes) CLIMBING: This lighthouse is not open to the public to climb, but the grounds are open to the public.  There is a small parking lot beside the light station where there is a one hour parking limit.  There was a fire at the Coast Guard station that burnt the building to the ground and knocked out power to the lighthouse for a few days.  I am not sure when the reconstruction will begin to rebuild the Coast Guard Station.

Ocracoke Island

HISTORY: Unknown HEIGHT: Unknown CLIMBING: Unknown DIRECTIONS: The easiest and shortest way to get to the lighthouse is to take the Ocracoke Island car/passenger ferry from the southern tip of Hatteras Island.  It  takes about forty-five minutes.  No reservation is required, but Ocracoke Island residents get first priority on the ferry.   There is also a ferry that runs from Swan Quarter that takes about two and a half hours.  Reservations must be made to take the ferry from Swan Quarter.  A ferry  schedule is available from the North Carolina Ferry Service or by calling 1-800-BY-FERRY.

Price's Creek Ruins Lighthouse

HISTORY:  Ruins of the Price's Creek lighthouse are all that remain of this channel light.  This site was established in 1850.  There was a taller range light which stood behind the Keepers Quarters that stood behind the smaller tower that remains today.  When a ship's captain lined up the two lights (one over the other), he knew that the ship was in the left of the channel and could travel safely up the river to the port of Wilmington. HEIGHT: Unknown   CLIMBING: These ruins are now on private commercial property and are not accessible to the public.  The only way to see the light is by taking the state operated ferry from Southport or Fort Fisher.  DESCRIPTIONS: To visit the Price's Creek Lighthouse, take NC Hwy 211 from Hwy 17 and follow the signs.  The ferry dock is about 32 miles from Hwy 17.  To obtain a ferry schedule, contact the NC DOT.

South Carolina - Lighthouses

Governor's Lighthouse   HISTORY: This small lighthouse is located in Light Keeper's Village in the small town of Little River, SC. The lighthouse was built in 1985 and stands to honor the past Governors of the state. HEIGHT: Unknown BEAM VISIBILITY: 15 miles - active duty - each night and produces a fixed white light, helping to guide small craft up the Little River. CLIMBING: The lighthouse is NOT open to the public and is in a residential community. DESCRIPTIONS: To see the lighthouse, turn into Light Keeper's Village which is located just off Hwy. 17 (going North) about a mile from the bridge (and is visible from the bridge off to the right) leaving North Myrtle Beach. If you pass the marina you have gone too far.

Georgetown Lighthouse (North Island)

HISTORY: The first lighthouse was built on North Island, SC in 1801 and was about 72 feet in total height. The tower was constructed of cypress wood and in 1806, the tower was blown down by gale force winds.  The current Georgetown Lighthouse was built in 1812. . The tower has withstood many hurricanes and even damage during the Civil War. The lighthouse is one of the oldest in the Southeast and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. HEIGHT: 87 feet (The tower is still on active duty each night) BEAM VISIBILITY: 16 miles (Fitted with a fourth-order Fresnel lens) DESCRIPTIONS: The best way to view the lighthouse is by taking the "Shelling and Lighthouse Cruise" from Georgetown. The cruise takes about 3 hours and takes you out to North Island for a great opportunity to collect lots of beautiful shells. However, the cruise does not actually stop at the lighthouse, but does pass by close enough to take great pictures. The reason the cruise doesn't stop there is the lighthouse is still operated by the Coast Guard and is on private property. For more information, Call 1-(800)-705-9063.

Sullivan's Island Lighthouse

HISTORY: Upon completion of its construction by the United States Coast Guard in 1962, the Sullivan's Island Lighthouse began active duty marking the entrance to the busy port of Charleston. This was the last lighthouse built by the Coast Guard and is arguably the most modern lighthouse in the United States. It is even rumored to be the most powerful lighthouse in the western hemisphere.  Triangular in shape and made of concrete, the structure is protected from the elements by aluminum siding. It is the only lighthouse using an elevator to take Coast Guard personnel to the lantern room for maintenance. HEIGHT:140 feet (it broadcasts its beam 163 feet above sea level) CLIMBING: The lighthouse itself is not open to the public. However, the grounds are open to visitors during the day. There is not much to do at the lighthouse except take pictures and look around. Beach access is available at the lighthouse and good shots can be taken from the beach. Make sure you photograph the Sullivan's Island Life Saving Station which sits just behind the lighthouse. BEAM VISIBILITY: 26 miles to sea in clear weather (Two rotating beacons, each of which is capable of producing a beam with an intensity of 28 million-candle power.) DIRECTIONS: To visit the Sullivan's Island Lighthouse, take SC 703 from I-526 toward Sullivan's Island. The lighthouse will be visible on the right, well before you cross the bridge to the island. Go across the bridge to the island and turn right when you come to the stop light. Make a right and then make a left on to Station 18 Rd. (the sign for this road is not very visible) Once you turn on Station 18, travel about two blocks and the lighthouse will be on your right. Be sure to visit the Sullivan's Island Life-Saving Station located behind the lighthouse.

Morris Island

HISTORY: The first lighthouse built to aid navigation into the busy port of Charleston was constructed by the British colony of South Carolina just after the French and Indian War. The corner stone of the lighthouse was imprinted with the sentence, "The first stone of this beacon was laid on the 30th of May, 1767 in the seventh year of his Majesty's Reign, King George the III." At that time, this was the only major lighthouse built in the southeastern United States. In 1800, repairs to the structure were needed, so Congress appropriated $5,000 to repair the lighthouse. However, in 1837, the old tower needed to be replaced and a new tower was built on what was known at that time as Lighthouse Island. This lighthouse stood 102 feet in height, and was fitted with a first-order Fresnel lens in 1858. The lighthouse remained in active service until the civil war, when confederate soldiers darkened the light and destroyed the tower to keep it from being used by the Union army. In 1876 construction began on the new tower. This new tower was to be built on the site of the original colonial tower. After two years of construction, the lighthouse was finally completed and lit for active duty on October 1, 1876.  Around 1892, the tower was painted black with horizontal white bands to make it more distinguishable from the other southeastern lighthouses. HEIGHT: 158 feet BEAM VISIBILITY: 15 miles to sea (Housed a first-order Fresnel lens)  CLIMBING: Today, the lighthouse remains closed to the public for obvious reasons. Boat tours are offered out of Charleston and the surrounding area for those who would like to get an up close view of the structure. (Best viewed from Folly Beach) DESCRIPTIONS: To visit the Morris Island Lighthouse, take Hwy. 17 to Hwy. 171. Continue on 171 until it dead ends at the stop light on Folly Beach. Make a left and drive until the road ends. There is a small public beach access on the right just before the road ends where you can park. From this point, walk over to where the road dead-ends, and go past the barrier and take the path that leads to the beach for a good view of the lighthouse.

Hunting Island Lighthouse

HISTORY: Located about halfway between Charleston, SC and Savannah, GA, Hunting Island was home to a lighthouse that was built by the Lighthouse Board in 1859. After the Civil War, the tower was no where to be found! No one knows whether the sea claimed the lighthouse or if the Southern Soldiers are responsible for its demise.  In 1875, another tower was built on the Island for navigational aid. The new tower was made of cast-iron interchangeable pieces that could be moved if needed. By 1889, the sea was about to claim the cast-iron tower so it was disassembled and moved a mile inland and remains in that location today. HEIGHT:140 feet BEAM VISIBILITY: 18 miles to sea (Houses a second order Fresnel lens). The black/white tower serves only as a day marker. CLIMBING: There are 181 cast-iron stairs to the top. ADMISSION: To the park is $2 and the fee is $.50 to climb the tower. There is a park info. station with great exhibits of the lighthouse grounds and keepers attire, along with other info. on the lighthouse and park. The drive to the lighthouse takes visitors through a true maritime forest and is a beautiful and short drive. DESCRIPTIONS: To visit the Hunting Island Lighthouse, take Hwy 21 East to Hunting Island. The lighthouse is located in Hunting Island State Park and visitors are allowed to climb to the top of the lighthouse.

Hilton Head Rear Range

HISTORY: In 1881, the first light station placed on Hilton Head Island consisted of a pair of range lights. The larger of the lights was placed atop a 95 foot steel skeleton tower built to withstand gales and hurricanes.  The smaller of the lights was placed at the top of a small house which was constructed in such a way so that it could be moved to realign the lights as the channel moved. HAUNTINGS: The tower grounds are said to be haunted by a lady in a blue dress, who was one of the keeper's daughters. It is said that during a hurricane in 1898, the keeper suffered a heart attack as the light was blown out by the wind. The keeper pleaded for his daughter to relight the lamps. She did so and her father died, then a few weeks later, she died due to grief. People say that sobbing can be heard near the old skeleton tower and occasionally some say they have seen her wandering the area. HEIGHT:95 feet BEAM VISIBILITY: 15 miles - The lights were decommissioned in 1932. (fitted with a Fresnel Lens) CLIMBING: The lighthouse grounds are open to enjoy, but the lighthouse cylinder 112 steps is closed to climbing. DESCRIPTIONS: To visit the Hilton Head Rear Range Lighthouse, special permission must be obtained to enter the gated community of Palmetto Dunes, which is where the lighthouse is located. A vehicle pass can be obtained by calling (803) 785-1106. Make sure that you ask for the address of the office where you are to pick up your pass and use MapQuest to get good directions to the office.

Harbour Town

HISTORY: The Harbour Town Lighthouse was built in 1970 by a private company in the Sea Pines Resort on Hilton Head Island. The lighthouse sits at the southern end of the island. HEIGHT: 90 feet BEAM VISIBILITY: 13 miles (Emits a white flash every two and a half seconds, marking the Inland Waterway and the Calibouge Sound) CLIMBING: Visitors who climb to the lighthouse enjoy the leisurely climb. All along the climb to the top, informational signs are posted for visitors to read and enjoy. These signs describe the building of the lighthouse and discuss local legends.  Once at the top, visitors find a gift shop with lots of lighthouse and nautical items. Also, visitors are able to walk the gallery and enjoy the view of the harbor, island, and the sound. ADMISSION: To the lighthouse is $1 and there is a $5 (in 2002) parking pass that must be purchased to enter the Sea Pines Resort.  For more information call (843)785-3333. DESCRIPTIONS: To visit the Harbour Town Lighthouse, take Hwy. 278 east from I-95. Continue on Hwy. 278 until it dead ends at the Sea Pines Resort. Once inside the resort, follow the signs to the marina and the lighthouse.