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    Sullivan's Island Lighthouse

    4.1 (21 reviews)

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    Sullivan's Island Lighthouse near Charleston SC
    Bruce K.

    I was here in March 2013 and it didn't occur to me until now that I could add a review for this lighthouse. I've been "collecting" lighthouses and have added this one to my collection of 30+ in https://www.yelp.com/collection/GLWJhPZloUBCLUFSYgLw4g. Officially known as the Charleston Light, it is located on Sullivan's Island and is therefore the northern entrance to Charleston Harbor. Construction of this light was started in 1960 and was first lit on June 15, 1962. Charleston Light has a steel frame, an aluminum alloy skin, and a triangular cross section. It is 140 feet (43 m) tall. The slim, triangular structure was built to withstand winds of 125 miles per hour, and the focal plane of the light is 163 feet (50 m) above mean sea level. It is the only U.S. lighthouse with an elevator and air conditioning, and was the last onshore manned lighthouse to be built by the Federal Government. There is some parking here but you can expect it to be very busy during high season. It's best to arrive in the morning. The lighthouse is extremely photogenic and you can get good angles from the beach or from Atlantic Avenue. [Review 15141 overall, 643 of 2021, number 830 in South Carolina.]

    Julie W.

    If you like lighthouses this might be on your list to visit. Other than that it's a relatively plain and austere looking one. However, you can visit the beach that has public access adjacent to the lighthouse and there are pretty views there.

    The Sullivan's Island Lighthouse and 2 Crazy Cousins from TN
    Sally F.

    After reading the spirited reviews about this "lighthouse" we just had to see it! It was worth it. I think it looks like a watch tower from The Hunger Games (though I have never seen the HG movies). It looks kinda like they ran out of paint and just gave up. The beach is really nice. We saw cruise ships pass by and then had a great dinner at The Longboard. There are no public bathrooms at this beach.

    Danelle B.

    Not much to see here. A fun historical stop if you like lighthouses. Great area to visit.

    Michelle N.

    This is definitely a very interesting lighthouse Unlike any other I've ever seen. You can not go up top but great photo op. Parking is minimal and narrow but this was a nice stop along several others in the area

    AL K.

    I love lighthouses so my review is biased. This lighthouse is not round but flat on one side. Nonetheless it stands proud and tall facing the waters.Street parking only.

    Michael M.

    It's a 5 star light house! And it's here on Sullivan's Island. The lighthouse is a nice sight at night, and adds to our local history with the Ft. Moultrie and Ft. Sumter nearby. Great for picture taking, no matter what angle. Get close or stand back a ways. Sure it's not the prettiest, but it's cool. You can park on the side of the road and walk by it. Head to the beach, just take the wooden path and see it from there too. Better yet, come back at night and see it working. I hope the US Park Service keeps it up and working, and attracts others to check it out.

    Richard R.

    Can I speak unfiltered here? Sullivan's Island lighthouse (also known as the Charleston Light), has to be the ugliest lighthouse I've ever seen. I can't decide if it looks more like an old factory chimney or an extra tall prison watchtower. But considering there is an underground bunker nearby and chain-linked fence surrounding it, I'm gonna say prison watchtower is an accurate description. Like other reviewers, I am an avid lighthouse fan. I not only have zero resistance against visiting any lighthouse I find (no matter its size), I also purposely seek them out whenever we are vacationing near oceans or the great lakes. Lighthouses, covered bridges, and trestle bridges are three of my personal favorite man-made wonders of the world. There is something about them that both calms and inspires me. But when I look at this particular lighthouse I, for some reason, feel disturbed. It's like seeing someone that looks attractive from a distance and pushing through crowds to get closer. But when you finally get up close, you're like "oh, daaaang... nevermind. I thought you were someone else!" Completed in 1962 at a height of 140 feet tall, it is rare to find a lighthouse who's shape is not circular or square, but instead triangular. Another unusual feature is the skin of the lighthouse seems to be corrugated aluminum panels, a departure from traditional brick and mortar of many. This would explain why the badly peeling paint exposes rust-like colors beneath. FINAL THOUGHTS Sullivan's Island lighthouse will certainly draw different reactions from different expectations. I personally think the lighthouse would benefit from using a different color and pattern for its daymarker, or at the very least a fresh coat of paint. The outlying buildings (on the other hand) are very attractive but are now used by the US Coast Guard as offices. It was disappointing that both the lighthouse and its outlying buildings are not open to the public, so know that before you visit. Overall, an interesting stop along the way to Fort Moutrie and/or lunch @ Poe's Tavern. Here is a link to a cool old picture of the Sullivan's Island lighthouse under construction: http://www.lighthousefriends.com/Sullivans_1961_cg.jpg 2016/86

    Sullivan's Island Lighthouse
    Yara T.

    Awesome beach walk right near the downtown strip. A little ways down the beach you get a great view of downtown, the bridge and Fort Sumter.

    Sullivan's Island Lighthouse at dusk.
    Ashley B.

    I grew up on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. I've visited photographed and climbed Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, and Currituck Lighthouse more times then I can count. I've seen the Bodie Island Lighthouse, and Ocracoke Lighthouse up close, and I've visited and climbed Tybee Island Lighthouse in Georgia as well. Suffice it to say I'm something of a lighthouse nut. So when I visited Charleston I wasn't going to pass up a chance to visit both of the area lighthouses. Sullivan's Light has some pretty interesting history for a lighthouse that's so young. It was built in 1962 to replace Morris Island Lighthouse when it was deactivated. It was the last lighthouse built by the US Coast Guard, the only lighthouse in the USA that has an elevator installed, and the only air conditioned lighthouse in the US. The design is also unique being a triangular shape clad in aluminum instead of being square or round and built out of brick or iron like most US lighthouses. There is no museum, no gift shop, no keeper's quarters and no access to the tower itself, although there are rumors to the effect that they may open it to the public in the future. Of course there is no admission cost either, and there is a nice beach access within walking distance of the grounds and the street side parking. There is also an old US CG lifesaving station near the lighthouse but most people won't even recognize it for what it is (I didn't really until after the fact and I grew up around a half dozen of the things). Sullivan's Island Lighthouse is a nice little free diversion and photo op if you happen to be on Sullivan's Island. It is not a destination in and of itself worth going far out of your way for, but it is worth a 5 or 10 minute stop on your way to the beach or Fort Moultrie. I never miss a lighthouse if I'm near one but non lighthouse fans may be excused if they want to skip this one.

    Albert L.

    Disclaimer: I love the South Carolina Lowcountry and all she has to offer. This unique structure is one of the most modern lighthouses in the country. It continues to act as a guide for Charleston Harbor ships. Triangular and slim and black and white, I think the best way to view is from the beach.

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    Review Highlights - Sullivan's Island Lighthouse

    Triangular lighthouse standing 140' tall, Charleston Light on Sullivan's Island, South Carolina, marks the northern entrance to Charleston Harbor and was first lit on June 15, 1962

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    Fort Moultrie - View towards Fort Sumter

    Fort Moultrie

    4.5(76 reviews)
    0.8 mi

    I have to admit I'm an easy mark for a place like this…read more But I really found the price of admission and the information provided was absolutely worth it Small but informative museum, including a great Short documentary that provides all the information you need about the very important role This location played in the revolution. The tour of the Fort is self-directed and is interesting to see after going into the museum It's kept up well, but I actually found the museum more valuable than the fort itself glad I went! Didn't get to see Fort Sumter, which remains on the list, but this is also worthwhile and is both cheaper and less of a drag on time

    Interesting place, but not my favorite coastal fort. For that you need to head south to Fort…read morePulaski. However, Fort Moultrie has its own story to tell and I highly recommend the short film in the visitor center. The rangers, as usual, are the highlight of these national monuments and they do incredible work. In particular, they have a great activity (sort of a scavenger hunt) for young visitors. I'm from the West Coast and most of our coastal forts are from the WWII era, and Fort Moultrie reminded me of home. If you make your way to the lower level of the fort, you will see the WWII era maps, radio displays, uniforms, etc. But, the glory days of the fort were its vigorous defense during the Revolutionary and Civil Wars. Highly recommend a visit if you are staying in Charleston and make sure you leave time to pay reverence at Toni Morrison's Bench on the Road monument nearby and also to explore Sullivan's Island.

    Photos
    Fort Moultrie - Visitor center

    Visitor center

    Fort Moultrie
    Fort Moultrie

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    Toni Morisson's Bench By The Road - The bench surrounded by construction (2026)

    Toni Morisson's Bench By The Road

    5.0(2 reviews)
    0.8 mi

    Beautifully written review by Richard R. which will tell you everything you need to know about this…read morehistorical marker. While I can't improve upon it, I did want to note that the area is currently under construction. Normally, you would access this bench from the Fort Moultrie National Historic Park at the back of the main parking lot. Because it is blocked, to access the bench you need to take the road just prior to the fort (Station 13 Street where it intersects with Cove Avenue) and walk behind the gates to reach the bench. If nothing else, please read Richard R.'s review and the understand the importance of these type of memorials. Not everyone's history is as well documented and heralded in this area, but it is no less important.

    Hello yelp friend and readers. Thank you so much for visiting my page and checking out my reviews!…read moreIt means a great deal to me and I do my very best to introduce worthwhile places to visit with a dollop of historical details for knowledge. FEBRUARY is traditionally honored as Black History Month and last year in 2021 I decided to do a month long series where every day of the month I posted a new review either highlighting a black-owned business or Black History landmarks. I've decided to extend that series to 2022, so please come on a journey with me for the next 28 days as I explore the food, history and significant offerings of a rich culture of people. FIRST UP is Toni Morisson's BENCH BY THE ROAD #1 *** Born Chloe Ardelia Wofford, Toni was an American novelist who wrote the critically acclaimed Song of Solomon and won a Pulitzer Prize for the book Beloved in 1988 whom Oprah made into a movie 10 years later in 1998. She was most notably awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1993. She met Harold Morrison (a Jamaican architect) while teaching at Howard University and married him in 1958. The 'Bench By The Road' Project was launched on February 18, 2006, on the occasion of Toni's 75th Birthday to alleviate the absences of historical markers that help remember the lives of Africans who were enslaved. She said: "There is no place you or I can go, to think about or not think about, to summon the presences of, or recollect the absences of slaves . . . There is no suitable memorial, or plaque, or wreath, or wall, or park, or skyscraper lobby. There's no 300-foot tower, there's no small bench by the road. There is not even a tree scored, an initial that I can visit or you can visit in Charleston or Savannah or New York or Providence or better still on the banks of the Mississippi. And because such a place doesn't exist . . ." *** The VERY FIRST bench placed by the Toni Morrison Society honors the memory of both the enslaved Africans who perished during the Middle Passage as well as those who arrived on Sullivan's Island, a major point of entry for Africans who entered the United States during the Transatlantic Slave Trade. About 40 percent of African-Americans alive today can trace their ancestral roots to West Africa through the arrival of slaves @ Sullivan's Island. I won't go into grave detail about the conditions of slaves during the passage, but if you are interested, here is a link to a narrative describing the voyage: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmQvofAiZGA It was not uncommon to feed slaves who were sick to the sharks, because a sick slave was ZERO profit for the transporters, but a slave who died during transportation was insured and worth more dead than alive :-( The remainder of them often arrived here on the shores of Sullivan Island, where they had no control over staying with their families, many of whom were separated forever. Children were often separated as young as 3 years old. Fathers who protested were treated cruelty to subdue any uprising or sold away from their families entirely. Confusion and fear were the main measures of control. Lineage and tradition were often lost and African cultures combined to form GULLAH-GEECHEE traditions, a melting pot of their various indigenous African traditions from cooking and music, to arts and crafts, to spiritual traditions. They also created a creole language known as Gullah that is not spoken anywhere else in the world and it all began here upon arrival @ Sullivan Island. The significance of this entry point and the culture created in this specific corridor (from Jacksonville, FL to Wilmington, NC) is still alive and celebrated today in Gullah Geechee festivals, folklore, foods & time honored traditions. The bench rest in a quiet area behind the Fort Moutrie Visitors Center, beneath an outcrop of small trees overlooking the Sullivan Island Cove. Many will find this space to be filled with a quiet reflective reverence as you sit and connect with the past in a tangible way, knowing the ancient footsteps who walked here long before us were having a far different experience. I found myself wishing I had brought a single rose, so I could have scattered its pedals on the waters. *** FINAL THOUGHTS If I'm being honest, it is very emotionally draining for me to produce a months worth of Black History that you will often not find in typical American schoolbooks. This series is a labor of love for me and while taxing, I hope to enlighten my yelp family to the glory of a magnificent people. Where we have been, where we are and where we are going with no shame to anyone. I am a black man in American, and through these stories of endurance, I find strengthen and meaning. I hope you will continue all month long with me as I dive deeper into American History of the Black Experience AND celebrate those who are making their way in business and innovation while remembering the past, lest we forget. 2022 / 33

    Photos
    Toni Morisson's Bench By The Road
    Toni Morisson's Bench By The Road - Looking out over Sullivan Island Cove

    Looking out over Sullivan Island Cove

    Toni Morisson's Bench By The Road - The FIRST Bench By The Road ever placed (July 2008). As of December 2021, there are 27 bench placements across USA & France.

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    The FIRST Bench By The Road ever placed (July 2008). As of December 2021, there are 27 bench placements across USA & France.

    Heyward-Washington House

    Heyward-Washington House

    4.4(25 reviews)
    5.1 miSouth of Broad

    I bought a ticket for this museum as part of a combination ticket with the Charleston Museum. I…read moreactually walked from there, stopping along some spots. It's a long walk, but nice if the weather is fitting. This is worth a visit, especially if you're into American history. George Washington stayed here while visiting the area. Also, Thomas Heyward was a signer of the Declaration of Independence. While it's not a vast mansion, the house is nicely decorated and the garden in the back was a good touch. The audio tour was informative and allowed you to go at your own pace. The staff here were friendly and helpful. The house is also near a nice residential neighborhood and close to Rainbow Row and the water.

    In 1791, the city of Charleston rented Heyward's home for President George Washington's weeklong…read morestay in the city. The association with America's first president has persisted ever since. Built in 1772, the Heyward-Washington House earned its moniker for two men who figured prominently in its history, Thomas Heyward Jr. and President George Washington. Heyward, a Revolutionary War officer and South Carolina delegate to the Continental Congress in 1776 is best known for contributing his signature to the Declaration of Independence. The architecture of the three-story red brick double reflects the Georgian style that spread widely through English colonies for its order and symmetry.

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    Heyward-Washington House
    Heyward-Washington House
    Heyward-Washington House - Heyward-Washington House Charleston, SC_Yelp_Sanju-3

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    Heyward-Washington House Charleston, SC_Yelp_Sanju-3

    Sullivan's Island Lighthouse - landmarks - Updated July 2026

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