Parris Island Range Lights
Encyclopedia
The Parris Island Range Lights were range lights on the southern end of Parris Island
in Beaufort County
, South Carolina
. The Parris Range Lights were first lit in 1881. They were deactivated in 1912. Only the lens house for the Rear Light remains, which is the oldest building at Parris Island.
Parris Island is on Port Royal Sound
south of Port Royal, South Carolina
. It is best known as the home of the Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island
. The range lights on the Recruit Depot south of the airfield.
authorized range lights on Parris Island. These were to be used with the Hilton Head Range Lights
to guide ships coming into Port Royal Sound.
The Front Range Light was a 45 feet (14 m) tall, wooden tower with square cross section and four legs. The watch room beneath the lantern was enclosed. To compensate for any shifts in the channel, the front light could be moved.
The front light suffered from erosion and storm damage. Its foundation was replaced in 1892. In 1900 and 1902 the U.S. Lighthouse Board's
Annual Report indicated that it would have to be moved back. It is possible that the front light was moved back prior to deactivation.
The Rear Light was a 132 feet (40 m) tall triangular, iron skeletal tower
, manufactured by the Cooper Manufacturing of Mount Vernon, Ohio
. John Michael Doyle, who was an employee of the manufacturer, supervised the erection of the tower on a concrete foundation. Doyle later supervised the erection of the shorter Bloody Point Rear Range Light
. He also became the first light keeper at Bloody Point. A brick lamp house, which was also called a lens house, was built at the base of the tower to house the lamp during the day. At night, the locomotive or steamer lamp with parabolic reflector was raised on rails to a height of 120 feet (37 m). The Parris Island Range Lights were lit in 1881.
A wooden walkway was built to connect the lights. The keeper's house was built about midway between the front and rear light.
Parris Island, South Carolina
Parris Island is a former census-designated place , currently a portion of Port Royal in Beaufort County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 4,841 at the 2000 census. As defined by the U.S. Census Bureau, Parris Island is included within the Beaufort Urban Cluster and the larger...
in Beaufort County
Beaufort County, South Carolina
-National protected areas:*Ernest F. Hollings ACE Basin National Wildlife Refuge *Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 155,215 people, 45,532 households, and 33,056 families residing in the county. The population density was 206 people per...
, South Carolina
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
. The Parris Range Lights were first lit in 1881. They were deactivated in 1912. Only the lens house for the Rear Light remains, which is the oldest building at Parris Island.
Parris Island is on Port Royal Sound
Port Royal Sound
Port Royal Sound is a coastal sound, or inlet of the Atlantic Ocean, located in the Sea Islands region, in Beaufort County in the U.S. state of South Carolina...
south of Port Royal, South Carolina
Port Royal, South Carolina
Port Royal is a town in Beaufort County, South Carolina, United States. Largely because of annexation of surrounding areas , the population of Port Royal rose from 3,950 in 2000 to 10,678 in 2010, a 170% increase. As defined by the U.S...
. It is best known as the home of the Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island
Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island
Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island is an military installation located within Port Royal, South Carolina, approximately south of Beaufort, the community that is typically associated with the installation. MCRD Parris Island is used for the training of enlisted Marines...
. The range lights on the Recruit Depot south of the airfield.
Range Lights
In 1878, the U.S. CongressUnited States Congress
The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
authorized range lights on Parris Island. These were to be used with the Hilton Head Range Lights
Hilton Head Range Rear Light
The Rear Lighthouse of Hilton Head Range Light Station, which is also called Leamington Lighthouse is an inactive light station on Hilton Head Island in Beaufort County, South Carolina.- Overview :...
to guide ships coming into Port Royal Sound.
The Front Range Light was a 45 feet (14 m) tall, wooden tower with square cross section and four legs. The watch room beneath the lantern was enclosed. To compensate for any shifts in the channel, the front light could be moved.
The front light suffered from erosion and storm damage. Its foundation was replaced in 1892. In 1900 and 1902 the U.S. Lighthouse Board's
United States Lighthouse Board
The United States Lighthouse Board was the agency of the US Federal Government that was responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of all lighthouses in the United States...
Annual Report indicated that it would have to be moved back. It is possible that the front light was moved back prior to deactivation.
The Rear Light was a 132 feet (40 m) tall triangular, iron skeletal tower
Skeletal tower
Skeletal Frame Light Towers are lighthouse towers that have only an open frame. They are commonly built as aids to navigation; most of them are not considered to be lighthouses. However, during the late nineteenth century and the first years of the twentieth, larger skeletal towers were installed...
, manufactured by the Cooper Manufacturing of Mount Vernon, Ohio
Mount Vernon, Ohio
Mount Vernon is a city in Knox County, Ohio, United States. The population was 16,990 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Knox County. The city is named after Mount Vernon, the plantation owned by George Washington.-History:...
. John Michael Doyle, who was an employee of the manufacturer, supervised the erection of the tower on a concrete foundation. Doyle later supervised the erection of the shorter Bloody Point Rear Range Light
Bloody Point Range Lights
The Bloody Point Range Lights, which is known as the Bloody Point Lighthouse, were range lights on the southern end of Daufuskie Island in Beaufort County, South Carolina. The Bloody Point Range Lights were built in 1883. Due to erosion, the front light was moved to the location of the former rear...
. He also became the first light keeper at Bloody Point. A brick lamp house, which was also called a lens house, was built at the base of the tower to house the lamp during the day. At night, the locomotive or steamer lamp with parabolic reflector was raised on rails to a height of 120 feet (37 m). The Parris Island Range Lights were lit in 1881.
A wooden walkway was built to connect the lights. The keeper's house was built about midway between the front and rear light.