The Defiant Morris Island Lighthouse - Folly Beach, SC

Rising proudly from the water, the Morris Island Lighthouse has stood watch since 1876, though its legacy stretches back to 1767. This 161-foot brick tower once stood 1,200 feet inland, but time and tide have dramatically redrawn the coastline, leaving it surrounded by waves. Built to guide ships into Charleston Harbor, the lighthouse was once part of a lively station, complete with a residence for its last two keepers, William Hecker and W. A. Davis and their families. In 1962, its light was extinguished, replaced by a newer beacon on Sullivan’s Island—but the spirit of Morris Island lives on.

On December 15, 2024, I set off to find this iconic relic. I parked at the end of East Ashley Street, where the road gives way to a paved path ornate with colorful drawings and writings. From there, I followed the 0.8-mile trail, a winding journey through a hauntingly beautiful boneyard beach, framed by endless skies. Every step felt like stepping deeper into a forgotten world — with the Morris Island Lighthouse standing sentinel at the edge of the Atlantic.

After capturing photos of the lighthouse and the ghostly boneyard, I veered right toward Folly Beach, where life thrived — fishermen casting their lines, surfers, and beachgoers wandering the shoreline. It was a stunning day, a short but unforgettable adventure I’d highly recommend to anyone exploring the area.

References Mount Pleasant Magazine: Morris Island Lighthouse, Morris Island Lighhouse on Alltrails