Funds for the construction of the first Cape Romain Lighthouse were made available in 1823. The original plan was to convert an old stone windmill into a lighthouse, but the surrounding area was found to be prone to flooding. A piece of land at a slightly higher elevation was then secured, but not before lengthy negotiations. A traditional brick, conical tower with a height of sixty-five feet was finally erected in 1827 under the direction of Winslow Lewis, who outfitted the tower with a lamp and reflector system of his own invention.

Cape Romain Lighthouse was constructed on Raccoon Key, now known as Lighthouse Island, which is located six miles offshore from McClellanville. As no major ports are located in the immediate vicinity, the light’s main function was to alert mariners of a treacherous shoal nine miles southeast of the beacon.

Unfortunately, due to the lighthouse’s weak signal, it failed at its primary role. The lighting apparatus was upgraded in 1847, but the improved beacon was still not satisfactory. Drastic measures were deemed necessary to remedy the situation. A new, 150-foot-tall tower, equipped with a first-order Fresnel lens, was built near the original tower using slave labor. The powerful beacon was put into service on January 1, 1858.

Cape Romain Lighthouses with dwellings Photograph courtesy U.S. Coast Guard

Just a year later, the first shots of the war that would free the slaves who worked on the tower were fired at Fort Sumter, just a few miles south of Cape Romain. Confederate forces extinguished the light shortly after the war started and even went to the extent of removing the lens and damaging the tower to prevent it from being used by the Yankees.

Following the war, the lighthouse was repaired and returned to service in 1866. The tower did have one problem, however, that could not be rectified – it had developed a conspicuous lean as its foundation settled.

In addition to the two towers, the station also included three dwellings to house the keepers and a boat house. The coastal station was an idyllic spot for Keeper Fischer, a Norwegian who enjoyed the isolation of the desolate island. His wife, however, did not share his enthusiasm. She was terribly homesick and desired to make an extended trip to Norway to visit family and friends. Fischer would hear nothing of it, and the topic was the cause of many a quarrel between the couple. Finally, she told him she was leaving for Norway. Enraged, Fischer grabbed a kitchen knife and cut short his wife’s travel plans and her life. When asked how his wife had died, Fischer said that his despondent wife had committed suicide. The truth was not known until Fischer confessed to the killing on his deathbed.

The towers have been painted various colors over the years. At one time, the old tower was white while the newer tower was a dark color. Later, the bottom portion of the new tower was painted white, while the eight sides of the upper portion of the octagonal tower were painted alternately black and white. The resulting daymark, which is still in place today, is unique and striking. The old, abandoned tower was painted red to set it off from the newer tower.

The station was automated in 1937. Ten years later, the light was discontinued and lighted buoys were placed offshore to mark the shoals. Today, only the foundations of the dwellings remain, and the island's sole residents are a herd of wild goats, and numerous snakes and insects.

The two towers continue to stand up to the elements, including even the furry unleashed by an occasional hurricane. The bottom portion of the original tower remains, but much of its wooden staircase is gone. The newer tower is in remarkably good condition, though the 195-step spiral staircase leading to the lantern room is a bit rickety.

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References

1. Lighthouses of the Carolinas: A Short History and Guide, Terrance Zepke, 1998.
2. Southeastern Lighthouses: Outer Banks to Cape Florida, Ray Jones, 1998.

The Sewee Visitor and Environmental Education Center also offers an occasional trip to the lighthouse. The center can be reached at (843) 928-3368.