Yesterday’s podcast episode featured the oldest lighthouse in South Carolina: North Island Lighthouse.
For over two centuries, mariners bobbing past Winyah Bay and the Seaport of Georgetown have encountered this steadfast landmark. It’s known both as the North Island Lighthouse (as it sits on the North island rather than the South), and the Georgetown Light (as it’s next to Georgetown).
The origins of this iconic structure trace back to the late 18th century. In 1789, Paul Trapier, North Island’s owner, donated the land for the lighthouse. The first tower was built on the measly budget of $6,250, which meant that it was made out of wood. Predictably, this tower didn’t stand the test of time and was brought down six years after its construction, in 1806.
To hear more about this lighthouse, check out the podcast down below. I’ve also included a video about a tragic tale surrounding this lighthouse, which is available on the app TikTok. This tale focuses on a former lighthouse keeper, and his daughter Annie.
Enjoy, Lighthouse Explorer!