Walterboro in Colleton County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

The Beacon

(Aircraft Guiding Light)

Photographed by Mike Stroud, April 2008

1. The Beacon Marker

Inscription. In 1945, the army deeded the Walterboro Army Airfield, previously known as Anderson Airfield, jointly to the City of Walterboro and Colleton County, including all surplus equipment. The Beacon (Aircraft Guiding Light) was left as part of the surplus equipment.In 1996, World War II Buffs, from out of the state, were caught making off with a load of military artifacts, including this beacon. Fortunately they were stopped.

This pedestal was constructed for the Beacon by students from the Thunderbolt Career and Technology Center. The Beacon was manufactured by Westinghouse in 1933, beaming light for all military planes flying here in World War II.

Harry Cone, Chairman
Colleton Airport Commission

Johnie Thompson, Park Overseer
Walterboro Army Airfield Memorial

Budd Price, Chairman
Colleton County Preservation and Historical Society

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • War, World II. A significant historical year for this entry is 1945.

Location. 32° 54.983′ N, 80° 38.258′ W. Marker is in Walterboro, South Carolina, in Colleton County. It is on Aviation Way, on the right when traveling north. At the county airport. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Walterboro SC 29488, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in South Carolina’s Lowcountry,

in the Ashepoo and Combahee and Edisto Basin.

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

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within walking distance of this marker: The Tuskegee Airmen (a few steps from this marker); The Tuskegee Airman of World War II (a few steps from this marker); Anderson Field / Walterboro Army Air Field (within shouting distance of this marker); Walterboro Army Air Field (within shouting distance of this marker); Prisoner Of War Camp and Camouflage School (within shouting distance of this marker); Walterboro Army Airfield (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Walterboro Army Airfield (within shouting distance of this marker); Colleton Training School / Gruber Street USO (approx. 0.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Walterboro.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, 2008

2. The Beacon Marker

Photographed by Mike Stroud, 2008

3. The Beacon Marker

Photographed by Mike Stroud, April 2008

4. The Beacon

The Beacon Marker closeup image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, August 20, 2020

5. The Beacon Marker closeup

Credits. This page was last revised on December 11, 2024. It was originally submitted on April 11, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,711 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 11, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 5. submitted on November 27, 2024, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.