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Lighthouse History
Built: 1873
Type: Square tower on roof
of house
Height: 61 feet
Status: Active (Private)
Location: Daufuskie Island
Lens: 5th Order Fresnel /
Currently powered by Solar Cells & Batteries
Elevation: 70 feet
Keepers:
Notes: The Haig Point Range
Lights were built in 1873 and were maintained as an official aid to navigation
until about 1924. The Rear Range Light house has been restored. It is a
guest house for the Haig Point Club and serves as a private aid to navigation.
The Rear Range light, built
by James H. Reed, had a square tower on top of the light keeper's wooden,
two-story Victorian house. The foundation for the house rests on the Tabby
cement foundation of an old plantation house. The house and tower are painted
white. The lantern has a red roof. The light was a 5th order Fresnel lens
with a kerosene lamp. Later, an electric light was installed. In addition
to the house, an oil house, and a 6,000 US gallon (22,700 L) cistern were
built. This light was manned until about 1924.
In 1925, the house was sold.
Over time, it passed through several hands and fell into disrepair. In
1984, the house was purchased by the International Paper Realty Corporation.
They began a restoration of the house as a guest house of the Haig Point
Club. The oil house and cistern remain near the lighthouse.
In 1986, after about sixty
years of darkness, a lamp was again activated in the Haig Point lighthouse.
This light has an acrylic lens and is powered by solar cells and batteries.
This flashing white light is a private aid to navigation.
The rear range is a contributing
property of the National Register of Historic Places' Daufuskie Island
Historic District. The nomination form and an additional picture is available
from the South Carolina Department of Archives and History. In addition,
the Beaufort County Historical Surveys for both the lighthouse and the
oil house are available. These have recent photographs. |