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Sullivans Island, SC
The modern monolithic Sullivan’s Island Lighthouse, built in 1962, resembles an air traffic control tower more than
a traditional lighthouse. When erosion threatened the Morris Island Lighthouse, located south of the entrance to Charleston
Harbor, the decision was made to place a replacement beacon on Sullivan’s Island, north of the harbor’s entrance.
Although the triangular tower, built of concrete and steel and clad in a skin of aluminum, doesn’t have much Southern
charm, it does have some redeeming qualities. Inside the tower, the keepers of the light are treated to air conditioning and
an elevator that can quickly whisk them skyward. After the elevator ride, it is still necessary to scale a small staircase
to reach the lantern room, where a powerful light source is housed. Originally, the light produced an amazing 28 million candlepower,
but this powerful beam proved dangerous and was downgraded to a light of just over a million candlepower that has a range
of twenty-six miles.
Item #4718
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