The Morris Island SC light was purchased this past February by a nonprofit organization called Save the Light Inc. They intend to restore the light to the extent possible, then turn it over to the state of South Carolina.

The Army Corps of Engineers is currently conducting a six-month engineering study of the light (required by the state prior to taking title). The study primarily addresses the condition of the submerged foundation. It is anticipated that restoration will include shoring up the foundation (assuming this is possible), replacing missing doors, stairs, & windows, repairing cracked or missing masonry and brickwork, and repainting. There are no plans to restore the lighting mechanisms or to relight the light. Also, there are no plans to move the light onto dry land, or to allow visitors into the lighthouse itself. A more formal viewing area may one day be established on the old Coast Guard station on adjacent Folly Island.

If no major foundation flaws are found, it is estimated that it will cost 1 to 1.5 million dollars for restoration.

Save the Light has a web page located at www.savethelight.org which provides more details about the ongoing study and fundraising activities. This site also includes extensive historical and current photographs of the light.

I have not climbed the light, but I have viewed it both from Folly Island and by private boat. The light had about a 10 degree lean to seaward.