The Harbour Town Lighthouse is a lighthouse at the Harbour Town Marina at Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. It was privately built and is a private aid to navigation.[3][4][5][6][7] Although initially ridiculed by local residents during the planning and construction phases, the lighthouse became instantly popular and is today[when?] the most recognizable symbol of Hilton Head Island and Sea Pines Resort. The annually televised Heritage golf tournament has helped increase the lighthouse's fame to millions of golf fans worldwide[example needed], and the 18th hole at the Harbour Town Golf Links has become one of the most popular and recognizable finishing holes in golf.[citation needed]
 Harbour Town Lighthouse | |
 | |
| Location | Hilton Head Island, South Carolina |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 32°08′19″N 80°48′46″W / 32.13861°N 80.81278°W |
| Tower | |
| Constructed | 1969 |
| Foundation | Concrete |
| Construction | Stucco over metal lath and plywood |
| Height | 93 feet (28 m)[1] |
| Shape | Octagonal tower[1] |
| Markings | Red and white bands |
| Light | |
| First lit | 1970 |
| Focal height | 28 m (92 ft)  |
| Lens | White |
| Characteristic | Fl W 2.5s[2] |
History
editBuilding of Harbour Town Lighthouse was started in 1969 by Charles Fraser and completed in 1970.[4] It is an octagonal column with a red observation deck or gallery below the lantern. The column is stucco on metal lath over plywood with a height of 93 feet (28 m). Its daymark is alternating red and white bands. It has a white light that flashes every 25 s.[2][4][7]
The lighthouse was privately built as part of Harbour Town Marina and Sea Pines Plantation. It is open for the public to climb. There is a small fee for a day pass to the Plantation and another small fee for admission to its lighthouse.[4][5]
Current
editThe Harbour Town Lighthouse is now a tourist and wedding destination[8] for Hilton Head Island. The privately owned lighthouse also features a museum with historic photos of Harbour Town, and gift shops at the bottom and top of the light.[9]
References
edit- ^ a b Sally Mahan, Meet the man behind Hilton Head's iconic lighthouse, Hilton Head Monthly, March 31, 2014, accessed October 18, 2023.
- ^ a b Light List, Volume III, Atlantic Coast, Little River, South Carolina to Econfina River, Florida (PDF). Light List. United States Coast Guard. 2007.
- ^ Bansemer, Roger, Bansemer's Book of Carolina & Georgia Lighthouses, Pineapple Press, Sarasota, FL, 2000, pp. 94-95, ISBN 1-56164-194-4.
- ^ a b c d Clary, Margie Willis, The Beacons of South Carolina, Sandlapper Publishing Co., Inc., Orangeburg, SC, 2005, pp. 94-96, ISBN 0-87844-176-X.
- ^ a b "Harbour Town, SC". South Carolina Lighthouses. lighthousefriends.com. Retrieved 2008-08-10.
- ^ Roberts, Bruce, and Jones, Ray, Southern Lighthouses: Outer Banks to Cape Florida, 3rd ed., Globe Pequot Press, Guildord, CT, 2002, pp. 46-47, ISBN 0-7627-1243-0.
- ^ a b Zepke, Terrance, Lighthouse of the Carolinas, Pineapple Press, Sarasota, FL, 2002, pp. 153-157, ISBN 1-56164-148-0.
- ^ [1] Archived October 13, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ [2] Archived October 13, 2013, at the Wayback Machine