the lighthouse, the keeper's home and two other structures were relocated a mile away in 1889 to their present locale. At the time of the 1893 Sea Islands Hurricane, the Hunting Island Lighthouse functioned as a sanctuary for some passengers aboard the steamer "City of Savannah I" which had been forced onto the shoals. The Lighthouse continued operation until deactivation in 1933. It was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1977 as reference #70000561. In 2009, celebrations were held in honor of the lighthouse's 150th anniversary. Maintenance As part of Hunting Island State Park, the tower remains open to the public. Continued remodeling of the tower is made possible by South Carolina funding and a small charge per visitor to the tower. In 2003 the lighthouse was closed for an 18-month period after rust had compromised the structural integrity of several of its cast-iron stairs. Repairs lasted for over 18 months, and included fixing cracked stairs, as well as the installation of steel brace reinforcements. The silvery-grayish braces stand in stark contrast to the black cast-iron stairs, which in turn allows visitors to distinguish between the original structural components and the more-recent modifications aimed at protecting the lighthouse's historic integrity. In 2019, engineering studies concluded that $3 million in repairs were needed to the lighthouse, particularly to repair cracks and corrosion due to weather. Part of the repairs may include the disassembly and potential relocation of the lighthouse further inland, similar to actions taken in 1889. Notes External links Friends of Hunting Island State Park - Lighthouse page Lighthouse friends article The Internet Public Library Information and illustrations about Hunting Island Lighthouse by artist/author Roger Bansemer Historic American Buildings Survey in South Carolina Lighthouses completed in 1889 Lighthouses on the National Register of Historic Places in South Carolina Buildings and structures in Beaufort, South Carolina Museums in Beaufort County, South Carolina National Register of Historic Places in Beaufort County, South Carolina