Georgetown Light

Georgetown Light is a white brick tower with a black lantern room at the entrance to Winyah Bay. The structure houses a Fresnel lens and helps guide vessels safely through the waterway.

An original wooden tower built in 1801 was destroyed by a storm just five years later. The current brick structure was erected in 1812 and has remained standing since.

The lighthouse represents Georgetown's role as a major port where merchant ships loaded rice and indigo for distant markets. Visitors can sense the maritime heritage that shaped this coastal town.

The site is located within a wildlife preserve and can be reached by car or on foot. Visitors should come prepared for changing tides and coastal weather conditions.

The grounds sit within a wildlife preserve that conceals remnants of two abandoned settlements from the 1800s. These hidden archaeological sites reveal stories of early resort communities that once thrived nearby.

Location: Georgetown County

Inception: 1801

Height: 27 m

GPS coordinates: 33.22266,-79.18500

Latest update: December 22, 2025 10:46