15 www.ReadMPM.com | www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.MountPleasantPodcast.com about the cover Formally known as the Charleston Light, the lighthouse locally referred to as the Sullivan’s Island Lighthouse was first lit on June 15, 1962. The illumination was recognized as the last major lighthouse in the United States built by the federal government. It was also the second brightest lighthouse in the Western Hemisphere, according to the National Park Service. The lighthouse was erected to replace the defunct Morris Island Light, which was rebuilt in the 1870s after being destroyed in the Civil War. Morris Island Light was at risk of being destroyed again by erosion and was later decommissioned. Standing at 162.5 feet tall, approaching vessels in the Charleston Harbor could see the flash of the lighthouse’s 28-million candlepower beam from more than 50 miles offshore. Five years after its construction, its wattage was reduced to 1.2-million candlepower, but it was still visible more than 25 miles away. When the Coast Guard automated the lighthouse in 1975, it no longer needed a keeper. In 2008, the Coast Guard relinquished ownership to the National Park Service. The lighthouse became eligible to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places as part of the structures in the Coast Guard Historic District in 2012. Today, the lighthouse stands as one of the most technologically advanced for its time. It is the only lighthouse in America that has both an elevator and air conditioning. The National Park Service celebrates National Lighthouse Day every August by opening the Sullivan’s Island Lighthouse grounds to the public. Sea Gazing History of Sullivan’s Island Lighthouse To read the full story behind the architect that constructed the Sullivan’s Island Lighthouse, visit mountpleasantmagazine.com/2023/places/sullivansisland-lighthouse-last-of-its-kind-beacon-of-the-beach. The support your family deserves. For nearly 30 years, our women-led firm has provided trusted family law counsel across South Carolina. Our experienced attorneys prioritize your needs, always guided by what’s best for your family. COMPASSION IN COUNSEL CONFIDENCE IN COURT ANNE FRANCES BLEECKER 519 SAVANNAH HIGHWAY, CHARLESTON 843-571-2725 | BLEECKERFAMILYLAW.NET | Photo by Mark Staff Photographer. BY ZACH GIROUX
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