Parris Island in Beaufort County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Parris Island Lighthouses

Photographed by Mike Stroud, June 26, 2008

1. Parris Island Lighthouses Marker

Inscription. In 1878, the United States built two lighthouses and a lighthouse keeper's home on Parris Island. The 45-foot tall Front Light was located on the southeastern tip of the island. Seen from the boardwalk, this area is the forested promontory to the right. The taller Rear Light was built in the center of Parris Island, almost two miles northwest of this location. Two beacons were used to guide ships into Port Royal Sound. The lighthouses were decommissioned in 1912, and were dismantled in the 1930s when an air station was built on Parris Island.

Erected by U.S. Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Notable Buildings • Notable Places • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Lighthouses series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1878.

Location. 32° 18.352′ N, 80° 40.531′ W. Marker is on Parris Island, South Carolina, in Beaufort County. It can be reached from Balleau Wood Road, on the left. Along boardwalk, south hiking trail, at Balleau Wood Rd. circle. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Parris Island SC 29905, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Lowcountry

and on the Sea Islands.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A different marker also named Parris Island Lighthouses (a few steps from this marker);

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The First Inhabitants (within shouting distance of this marker); Aqui Estuvo España (within shouting distance of this marker); Parris Island Indians (within shouting distance of this marker); Jean Ribault Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); Fort San Marcos (within shouting distance of this marker); Fort San Marcos & The Ribaut Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); Charlesfort-Santa Elena Site (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Parris Island.

Also see . . . The Parris Island Range Lights. (Submitted on August 11, 2009, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.)

Photographed by Mike Stroud, June 26, 2008

2. Parris Island Lighthouses Marker

Seen along the boardwalk

Elevation of the front Light operated at Parris Island until 1912. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Parris Island Lighthouses Marker

3. Elevation of the front Light operated at Parris Island until 1912.

Rear Light, as mentioned image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Parris Island Lighthouses Marker, June 26, 2008

4. Rear Light, as mentioned

Parris Island Lighthouses , last remains of keepers house image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, June 26, 2009

5. Parris Island Lighthouses , last remains of keepers house

---house coordinates: 32.305321,-80.676293

Parris Island Lighthouses , Oil House image. Click for full size.

6. Parris Island Lighthouses , Oil House

The oil house serving the rear beacon still stands, and is the oldest surviving structure on Parris Island.

Parris Island Lighthouses image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, June 26, 2009

7. Parris Island Lighthouses

Looking the direction of where the Front light once stood

Parris Island forest area image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, June 26, 2008

8. Parris Island forest area

About 3,000 acres are habitable, of which 1,645 are developed. The Depot manages about 1,400 acres of forest and about 3,816 acres of wetlands.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on August 11, 2009, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 2,704 times since then and 286 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on August 11, 2009, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.