Harbour Town Lighthouse
December 31
An event every day that begins at 12:00 am, repeating until December 31, 2024
The Spirit of Beginning
The Harbour Town Lighthouse has stood for more than 50 years as a beacon and a symbol of the creative spirit of Charles Fraser. The Sea Pines founder and visionary is laid to rest under the Liberty Oak facing the Lighthouse he built as a welcome to all who come to visit or stay a lifetime. It has become a part of the story people take home with them, an essential symbol of the dreams that have come true here. No matter how often you come to Hilton Head Island, the Harbour Town Lighthouse is a must-do experience.
A visit to Hilton Head Island without a visit to the Harbour Town Lighthouse has been described as, “like going to Paris and not seeing the Eifel Tower. It’s not just a landmark – although it is all of that – the Lighthouse is the single strongest symbol of Hilton Head Island. It is the image that says it all. Everyone from visitors to publishers to movie-makers pictures the Lighthouse, when Hilton Head Island is the topic. There are a host of good reasons for that.
How the Story is Told
The Lighthouse has been so effective at telling the story of Hilton Head Island, that it was designated an Official Coast Guard Museum. The Coast Guard display features a 1:5 scale model of the “Eagle,” the historic 295-foot cutter that serves as a seagoing classroom for Coast Guard cadets. The ship’s original plans were used in the construction of the 16-foot, hand-built model, a truly amazing work of art.
Viewing the Paradise Beyond
The Lighthouse Museum features a Daufuskie Island display consisting of artifacts and a taste of the curious, mystical story of Daufuskie. From the pottery of prehistoric civilizations to the refined, sea island sensibility of Haig Point. From Native Americans through Spanish explorers through the tenacious families who stayed on through thick and thin to enjoy the beauty of life on this “paradise beyond,” the Daufuskie Island display in the Lighthouse is a trip worth taking.
From pre-history and native peoples to the life and times at Sea Pines over the years, a visit through the lighthouse has become a fascinating climb through the history of Hilton Head Island. There’s something fun to learn on every landing. And there is a state-of-the-art webcam on the top so you can call your friends and family wherever they are, have them link up to the Lighthouse web site to see you in action on the observation deck.
