Charleston Lighthouse

Year Built

1960

Cost

N/A

Type

Triangular

Height

140 feet

Location

Sullivan's Island

Automated Year

1975

First Lit

1962

Lens Type

DCB 24

Fog Signal

None

Year Deactivated

Active

Color

Upper half black, lower half white

Last Keeper - Date

Halvor S. Svendsen (1909 – 1916)

Description

The lighthouse itself is fenced off and is not open to the public, however visitors are welcome to explore the surrounding grounds.

Brief History

•  It was the last major lighthouse built in the United States.
•  The lighthouse’s design was intended to withstand winds up to 125 miles per hour. Hugo brought winds of 160 miles per hour, and the lighthouse never faltered.
•  The tower was originally painted in two shades: white and bright orange. After some complaints, however, about the glaring orange hue that could be viewed from almost anywhere in town, the orange was repainted to a more discreet black.
•  In 1986, the National Park Service took over the lifesaving station property, excluding the lighthouse, and started to use the historic buildings as offices, maintenance shops, and housing for seasonal rangers.
•  On May 29, 2008, Charleston Lighthouse was also transferred from the Coast Guard to the National Park Service.