Parris Island Lighthouses

In 1878, the United States built two lighthouses and a lighthouse keeper's home on Parris Island. The 45-foot tall Front Light was located on the southeastern tip of the island. Seen from the boardwalk, this area is the forested promontory to the right. The taller Rear Light was built in the center of Parris Island, almost two miles northwest of this location. Two beacons were used to guide ships into Port Royal Sound. The lighthouses were decommissioned in 1912, and were dismantled in the 1930s when an air station was built on Parris Island.<br>