Georgetown South Carolina
Harbour Lights #291

The Georgetown Lighthouse sits at the mouth of Winyah Bay, leading into that historic city some ten miles away. The sentinel sits on North Island and is also referred to, locally, as North Island Light. Sitting on the point of the island most vulnerable to the ravages of stormy seas, Georgetown Light is best enjoyed when viewed by boat. Since the property is private, there is limited access and the tower is not open to the public.

The history of Georgetown has placed this majestic conical sentinel on the National Registry, and its light -- automated since 1986 -- is a modern solar powered system installed in 1999.

The inland port of Georgetown was named in honor of England’s King George I, and was designated an official port in 1732. By the time the Revolution took place, Georgetown was an important center of commerce. At one time, it was the site of the second largest rice culture the world has known. Today, the Rice Museum in the town recounts this proud history.

In 1789, Patriot Paul Trapier donated a tract of land on North Island for the establishment of a lighthouse, but the newly formed Lighthouse service did not immediately take advantage of the offer. It was not until early 1801 that a 72-foot conical tower was constructed, made of cypress wood. The lamp was fueled by the plentiful whale oil, kept in a tank built at the same time along with a keeper’s dwelling. However, the first wooden lighthouse was short lived: it was destroyed by a violent storm five years later.

It was 1812 before the lighthouse was rebuilt -- this time constructed of brick to withstand the elements. In 1857, the 72-foot tower was modified to hold a Fourth Order Fresnel Lens.

Like many light stations of that era, the Civil War brought conflict and struggle between the two armies for control of the important beacon. As a result, the tower was badly damaged and as part of the post-war repairs, the structure was raised to 87-feet.

A Fifth Order Fresnel Lens, once used at Georgetown, is on display at the local Coast Guard Station. The lighthouse property is now part of a State Preserve managed by the South Carolina Heritage Trust. The hope is that the tower will one day be restored and open to the public, enabling lighthouse lovers to enjoy the legacy and beauty of the Georgetown Lighthouse firsthand.