Yes. You read the headline right. The Hunting Island Lighthouse has been cleared for its reopening by state officials with the South Carolina State Parks office in Columbia.
On Friday morning, Friends of Hunting announced in their email newsletter that a reopening for the lighthouse has been approved.
“We are thrilled to announce the Hunting Island Lighthouse passed its all important inspection last week and Columbia has approved an opening,” FOHI said.
The restoration work is now completed, and all that’s left is, apparently, a few touch-ups to do before we can finally climb those 167 steps to the top again and enjoy looking out over the Atlantic and taking in that amazing view.
“South Carolina State Parks cleared the Lighthouse and the Park is in their final stages of clean up before the big day, the Friends of Hunting Island State Park newsletter added.”
Look for a grand opening announcement coming soon.
The historic Hunting Island Lighthouse has been closed to the public for extensive restoration since early February 2022.
The current repairs are part of a $3 million renovation project aimed at preserving the lighthouse for future generations. After standing strong while looking over the Atlantic Ocean for almost 150 years, the historic Lighthouse was well overdue for restoration and repairs.
The Hunting Island Lighthouse restoration work has included repairs to the lantern room, windows, decks, and rails. A key component of the project has been the installation of new, large braces, designed in a style consistent with the historic cast iron, to support the stairs, according to S.C. State Parks.
The project included stabilizing and strengthening the stair system, which has been identified as a key area needing attention. Repairs also include repairing and recoating the metal and iron elements of the lighthouse, including the cast-iron stairs.
The lens had also been disassembled and has been restored with modern materials to reduce maintenance needs.
Also, A new display area was to be developed to showcase the restored lens, including an ADA-accessible exhibit space.
Over the past 4 years the lighthouse has been closed to the public, Hunting Island State Park has remained a popular destination, offering five miles of pristine beaches, a saltwater lagoon, and thousands of acres of marsh and maritime forest.
The lighthouse, known for its distinctive black-and-white stripes and towering height of 136 feet, has a rich history. Originally constructed in 1859, it was rebuilt in 1875 after being destroyed during the Civil War. A unique feature of the lighthouse is its construction from interchangeable cast-iron sections, allowing it to be dismantled and moved if necessary. This design proved crucial when severe beach erosion forced the lighthouse to be relocated 1.3 miles inland in 1889.
