Hunting Island State Park Lighthouse

National Register Listing

Street Address:

17 mi. SSW of Beaufort on U.S. 21 (Beaufort County)

Alternate Name:

Hunting Island Lighthouse

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NRHP Nomination Form

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Record Number:

S10817707002

Description and Narrative:

One of the sea islands near Beaufort, Hunting Island has lush, unspoiled vegetation and wild beauty. It was formerly accessible only by boat, but is presently connected to the mainland by a bridge and causeway. The original lighthouse, a wooden structure built about 1859, was destroyed by beach erosion. In replacing the lighthouse, the US Coast Guard built a tower 136 feet tall. Made of cast iron plates, this was located about ¼ mile from the shoreline, and was designed for relocation if necessary. The new lighthouse complex, completed in 1875, included the keeper's dwelling, a fire-proof oil house, and several other storage buildings. By 1889, the sea had cut away the northern end of the island, and did necessitate relocation of the lighthouse to its present site, 1 ¼ miles south of the old site. Before its abandonment by the US Lighthouse Service in 1933, Hunting Island Lighthouse cast a 120,000 candle power beam out to sea. Listed in the National Register June 5, 1970.

Period of Significance:

1889;19th century;1875

Level of Significance:

State

Area of Significance:

Engineering;Commerce;Transportation

National Register Determination:

listed

Date of Certification:

1970-06-05

Date of Boundary Increase:

No Boundary Increase

County:

Beaufort County;Beaufort City

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