The historic Hunting Island Lighthouse has been closed to the public for extensive restoration since early February 2022, but light has finally emerged at the end of the tunnel.
Scaffolding had encased the outside of the lighthouse for nearly a year and it has finally been removed in the past week, signalling the end of the exterior renovation phase.
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 includes repairs to the lantern room, windows, decks, and rails. A key component of the project is the installation of new, large braces, designed in a style consistent with the historic cast iron, to support the stairs, according to the S.C. State Parks Department.
The project includes stabilizing and strengthening the stair system, which has been identified as a key area needing attention. Repairs include cleaning, repairing, and recoating the metal and iron elements of the lighthouse, including the cast-iron stairs. The lens has been disassembled and is being restored with modern materials to reduce maintenance needs.
Also, A new display area is being developed to showcase the restored lens, including an ADA-accessible exhibit space.
The timeline for these repairs is expected to extend to late 2025.
That means we’re almost there, y’all!
While the lighthouse itself is closed, visitors can still view it from the grounds and learn about its history from knowledgeable volunteers. The park remains 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.
According to South Carolina State Parks, the lighthouse was also closed for repairs in May 2003 when cracks were discovered in several of its cast-iron steps. In a renovation that spanned more than 18 months, construction crews not only repaired the cracks, but installed steel braces beneath them for reinforcement. Left unpainted, the silver-gray braces stood out in sharp contrast to the black cast-iron stairs. The contrast helps distinguish between the original structure and modern improvements, which protect the lighthouse’s historic integrity.
Built in 1859, the original Hunting Island lighthouse was blown up in 1861 by the retreating Confederate Army to slow the Union Army down, so the lighthouse we cherish today as part of our home is actually the re-built lighthouse, completed in 1875.
It was constructed of interchangeable cast-iron sections so it could be dismantled in case it ever needed to be moved. Then just over a decade later in 1889, severe beach erosion made it necessary to relocate the lighthouse 1.3 miles inland to its present location.
