Haig Point Range Lights, Leading lights in Beaufort County, South Carolina
The Haig Point Range Lights are two towers positioned along the coast to guide vessels through Calibogue Sound into Port Royal Harbor. The front and rear markers work together to help mariners line up for safe passage into the port.
These navigation aids were constructed after the Civil War to help ships enter this important harbor safely. They were built in the 1870s as part of the coastal recovery effort following the conflict.
The lights represent maritime heritage rooted in this region's coastal communities, where seafaring families depended on their beams for survival at sea. They stand as symbols of the navigation methods that shaped life along the shore.
The towers can be seen from Daufuskie Island, which is reached by ferry from Hilton Head Island. Since these are navigation beacons in a remote location, plan your visit during clear weather for the best viewing experience.
The rear tower preserves its original Fresnel lens from 1873, while the front tower used a different lens designed for steamships. These distinct optical systems show how the equipment was tailored for different types of vessels.
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