The Sullivan’s Island Lighthouse, also known as the “Charleston Light,” was built to replace the Morris Island Lighthouse located in the Charleston Harbor, and it has the distinction of being one of the most modern in the country, having been built between 1960 and 1962, with a service elevator. At the time it was first illuminated, it had one of the strongest lights in the world. Today, the Charleston Light can be seen 27 miles offshore!
The tower is triangular in shape, not circular, and was first painted red and white. Over time, the red faded into orange, which did not sit well with locals, so the lighthouse was repainted black and white, its current colors.
The lighthouse was originally owned by the U.S. Coast Guard but is now owned by the U.S. Park Service, which has preserved the lighthouse and its related structures including a signal tower, a boathouse (Life Saving Station), garage, plotting station, and quarters.
The lighthouse is surrounded by a fence, so it is not accessible to the public; however, photo ops abound, as you can stop on the road in front of the lighthouse complex, and you can park at the public beach access just a short distance away and walk along the beach in front of the lighthouse.
