Lighthouses had been as soon as an important navigational instrument for mariners piloting ships into harbors. This was very true in Charleston, Colonial America’s largest and most essential port south of Philadelphia. The Morris Island Lighthouse was in-built 1876, the final of three lighthouses on the disappearing island.
The Morris Island Lighthouse is South Carolina’s tallest at 161 toes tall. If it had been open to the general public, you’d have 203 steps to the highest of the round brick lighthouse. Decommissioned in 1962, it’s one in all ten lighthouses nonetheless standing within the state.
Discover ways to see the spectacular Morris Island Lighthouse from land or boat and uncover my favourite place to seize dawn photographs of the lighthouse.
Map of the Morris Island Lighthouse
Tips on how to use this map: Zoom out to see the place the boat excursions begin. Click on the icon within the top-left nook to open the Map Legend, then click on on any of the legend objects to show extra info. When you have a Google account, click on the (very faint) star on the finish of the map’s title to avoid wasting this map to your account, then entry the map out of your smartphone throughout your journey.
Historical past of the Morris Island Lighthouse
Charleston was based in 1670 and, ten years later, moved to the peninsula between the Ashley and Cooper Rivers. The South Carolina colonial capital was essentially the most very important port south of Philadelphia.
In 1767, the primary lighthouse was constructed on Morris Island to information mariners into the deep-water harbor. It stood solely 42 toes tall and was made totally of wooden. In 1838, a second lighthouse was constructed on the island. Standing 102 toes tall, it was constructed of brick and wooden. In 1862, Accomplice troopers destroyed the lighthouse to stop Union troops from utilizing it as a lookout throughout the Civil Warfare.
Congress realized the necessity for a brand new lighthouse guiding ships into the Charleston Harbor. In 1872, building started on a brick lighthouse on Morris Island. It took 4 years to finish the lighthouse, which was formally lit on October 1, 1876. Standing 161 toes tall, the Morris Island Lighthouse included a lightkeeper’s home and several other help buildings.
By 1938, the lighthouse was in hassle.
The lighthouse was constructed 1,200 toes from the water’s edge. However after a jetty was constructed to guard the harbor’s entrance, erosion swept the shoreline away from Morris Island, leaving the lighthouse within the turbulent Atlantic Ocean.
The Morris Island Lighthouse was lastly decommissioned in 1962 when the close by Charleston Mild was lit on Sullivan’s Island.
In 1999, the non-profit Save The Mild, Inc. purchased the lighthouse from a non-public vendor for $75,000. After working with the South Carolina Division of Pure Assets, the deed was transferred to the state, and the non-profit was given a 99-year lease to protect the lighthouse.
The Morris Island Lighthouse is totally surrounded by the ocean at excessive tide. However latest preservation efforts could save the lighthouse from destruction – for some time.
Tips on how to See the Morris Island Lighthouse from Folly Seaside
The simplest option to see the Morris Island Lighthouse is from the north finish of Folly Seaside. It’s a captivating brief stroll to a secluded seaside and among the finest scenic views in Charleston.
Drive 3.5 miles north alongside East Ashley Avenue from Middle Avenue in Folly Seaside. The road ends in a cul-de-sac. Park alongside the road on the sandy shoulder created by years of earlier guests. All 4 tires should be off the highway past the white line, and you can not block personal driveways.
The very best place to park is the general public seaside entry close to the top of the road.
It’s a 0.4-mile stroll on a defunct paved road by the Lighthouse Inlet Heritage Protect. Cracking and graffitied, the highway is lined on both facet by concrete foundations, remnants of houses misplaced way back. The pavement offers option to a sandy path on the finish – and the reward for the brief journey.
The Morris Island Lighthouse seems forward after stepping onto the seaside. It’s simple to see with out binoculars or telephoto lenses, although these will assist for a better view.
The seaside stretches to the fitting round a rocky jetty. However should you flip left, you’ll find a hidden seaside at low tide. Stroll behind the road of deadwood timber to an extended seaside with a stellar view of the Morris Island Lighthouse. It’s my favourite place to go to for capturing photographs – particularly at dawn.
The Lighthouse Inlet Heritage Protect is maintained by Charleston County Parks. A $1 necessary payment is paid on the self-serve kiosk on the trailhead. Swimming and canines are prohibited, and there are not any restrooms.
My Favourite Photograph Spot
I like exploring the world through Google Maps. I swap it to the satellite tv for pc view and slide the map in all instructions, in search of something that appears fascinating from a chicken’s eye view.
That’s how I spotted I might seize a photograph of the Solar rising instantly behind the Morris Island Lighthouse.
I arrived on the north finish of Folly Seaside at 5 a.m., a bit of greater than an hour earlier than dawn. Twilight had simply began, however the floor was nonetheless darkish sufficient to wish a flashlight. I walked to the seaside, turned left, and continued strolling one other half-hour.
From Could by July annually, the Solar rises virtually to the northeast. Should you stroll simply far sufficient alongside the seaside, there’s a place the place the dawn strains up with the Morris Island Lighthouse from a standpoint on the seaside.
When the Solar peaked over the horizon a bit of after 6 a.m., I used to be prepared and ready. It took about fifteen minutes for the Solar to rise excessive sufficient to align with the highest of the lighthouse. That’s how I captured the picture above.
Morris Island Lighthouse Boat Excursions
The one option to get near the Morris Island Lighthouse is by boat – though you’re forbidden from docking or stepping inside. Three corporations provide guided boat excursions to the lighthouse.
Coastal Expeditions affords a gargantuan 4-hour cruise from their dock on Shem Creek in Mount Nice. The naturalist-led tour consists of narration of the historical past and ecology of the world and about an hour of looking for seashells and shark tooth on the barrier island.
Charleston Outside Adventures affords a 2.5-hour guided tour from Bowen Island behind Folly Seaside. The 6-mile journey to the lighthouse consists of narration, spectacular wildlife views, and a nice expertise. The flat-bottom skiff pulls onto the island at low tide, giving guests about 45 minutes to hunt for seashells.
Island Hopper Charters affords a 2-hour guided journey from the Mariners Cay Marina. It’s the shortest boat journey to the lighthouse, however nonetheless an exhilarating expertise. Guests are handled to narration and one hour on Morris Island.
Island Hopper Charters additionally affords a non-public constitution from $225 for 1-4 individuals. It’s a possibility to have the complete boat to yourselves with family and friends on the thrilling tour.
Save the Mild
Shortly after the Morris Island Lighthouse was decommissioned in 1962, it was bought to a non-public proprietor. However many years of personal possession left the lighthouse’s destiny in limbo till a grassroots effort was began by Barbara Schoch.
The James Island native wished to protect the lighthouse for future generations. When the lighthouse was listed on the market within the late 90s, she approached Johnny Ohlandt with an concept. The Morris Island Lighthouse Committee was fashioned in 1996 to lift funds and purchase the lighthouse.
In 1998, the committee based the non-profit Save The Mild, Inc. The group purchased the lighthouse with a $75,000 financial institution mortgage. However the non-profit couldn’t hold the lighthouse. It was very important for South Carolina to personal the historic lighthouse as a result of the Military Corps of Engineers might solely work on authorities tasks.
So, in 2000, the deed was transferred to the Division of Pure Assets. Save The Mild, Inc. was given a 99-year lease to supervise the preservation. All through the early 2000s, two phases had been accomplished to stabilize the muse and shield the bottom from the encroaching sea.
Go to the Save The Mild, Inc. web site to be taught extra about their preservation efforts, the challenges forward, and to hitch me in donating to avoid wasting the historic lighthouse.
Attending to Folly Seaside
Middle Avenue is the “most important road” of Folly Seaside. From this road, it takes about 5-10 minutes touring alongside Ashley Avenue to search out parking on the north finish of the island.
Attending to Middle Avenue in Folly Seaside is straightforward – however it should take a while. Particularly in the summertime.
From downtown Charleston, it’s a 20-40 minute drive. Drive time is longer on summer season mornings when everybody heads to the seaside. The very best time to go to from Charleston is early afternoon or on weekdays.
Incessantly Requested Questions
The Morris Island Lighthouse is about half of a mile from the north finish of Folly Seaside.
The Morris Island Lighthouse was constructed from 1872 to 1876.
When the Morris Island Lighthouse was in-built 1872, it was 1,200 toes from the water’s edge. However after many years of abrasion, the lighthouse was surrounded by the ocean by the late Thirties.
The Morris Island Lighthouse was decommissioned in 1962 after it was changed by the close by Charleston Mild on Sullivan’s Island.
You’ll be able to see the Morris Island Lighthouse from the north finish of Folly Seaside or on a ship.
It’s not doable to stroll to the Morris Island Lighthouse.
The Morris Island Lighthouse is completely closed to the general public, and nobody is allowed to climb inside.
It’s a 0.4-mile stroll by the Inlet Heritage Protect on the north finish of Folly Seaside to see the Morris Island Lighthouse.
A public seaside entry close to the top of East Ashley Avenue is the perfect place to park to see the Morris Island Lighthouse.
