Save the Light continues to raise funds for restoration through its Oyster Roast and annual 5K race
by Hanalei Potempa | Contributing Writer
The Morris Island Lighthouse is a beloved symbol of Folly Beach and a cornerstone of Charleston’s maritime heritage. Save the Light is dedicated to restoring the lighthouse to ensure it continues to stand tall for future generations.
Richard Beck, a charter member of the Board of Directors for Save the Light, was involved in the purchase of the Morris Island Lighthouse in 2000 and has played a central role in its preservation ever since.
Lighthouse History and Heritage
The first lighthouse on Morris Island was built by Samuel Cardy in 1768 and stood until December 18, 1861, when it was destroyed at the start of the Civil War. The Confederate Army blew up the structure in an attempt to obscure the harbor entrance channel from the stone fleet sent by the Union to block the main ship channel.
The lighthouse that still stands today was constructed by General Peter Conover Haines in 1876 to replace the original structure.
“Those two lighthouses, as of next year, will have guided, first as a lighthouse, secondly, as a day mark for every ship that has passed comes in or and out of Charleston Harbor for the last 258 years,” Beck says. “What is a more important building? What building is more indicative of our maritime heritage than the Morris Island Lighthouse?”
The lighthouse serves as a long-lasting symbol of Charleston’s maritime history and remains a cherished visual landmark for the community—making its preservation essential.
“It’s the kind of thing where you can look at it and see it’s been around for 150 years. It obviously needs some work, but it has a spiritual value to the community that makes us want to preserve it.”
Ownership and Funding
Prior to Save the Light’s involvement, the lighthouse was owned by engineer and real estate developer Speedy Felkel. In 1996, Felkel forfeited title in a foreclosure action who lost it to a Columbia businessman Paul Gunter. defaulted on a debt to a Columbia businessman. In February of 1999, Save The Light, Inc., purchased the lighthouse from Mr. Gunter for $75,000 with financial guarantees from businessman Robert New and the late Jim Booth, a beloved local artist who often depicted the Morris Island lighthouse in his paintings.
Beck and the others involved with Save the Light planned on donating the lighthouse to the state of South Carolina for state-funded upkeep and management.
That plan required persistence. The state initially declined, considering its need for costly restorations. However, after several years, ownership of the lighthouse was successfully transferred to the state’s Budget and Control Board, with Save the Light leasing it back.
“We rented it back from them for $1 for 99 years, accepting total responsibility for everything that’s done to it, the design, the implementation, the funding, everything associated with its preservation,” Beck said. “And so we began.”
Since then, restoration efforts have been ongoing. The Board of Directors for Save the Light has secured technical assistance from organizations such as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. In 2008, a cofferdam was constructed to protect the lighthouse’s foundation from further erosion, followed by the installation of a stronger foundation in 2010.
Additional restoration projects have followed, including the installation of a usable interior stairway. Upcoming plans include remedial repairs to the cofferdam and repointing the brick exterior.
“You know, the brick on the lighthouse is exposed to ocean waves, and so the stuff that holds the bricks together – the mortar has eroded and crumbled,” Beck says. “So we are going to replace and repoint the brick for about the lower third of the lighthouse, and then we’re going to paint it back to its original color, that lower third being black.”
Funding for these projects comes from a combination of public and private support. Donations from the City of Folly Beach and the State of South Carolina have played a significant role, along with contributions from local businesses and community partners.
“The problem with the lighthouse is that it’s half a mile out to sea, so anything that you do to treat it, protect it, preserve it, is extremely expensive,” Beck says.
In addition to large-scale donations, Save the Light actively involves the community in its preservation efforts, creating opportunities for residents and visitors to support and connect with the lighthouse.
Upcoming Fundraisers
Two upcoming fundraisers will help fuel Save the Light’s ongoing preservation work. The annual Oyster Roast, taking place January 4, began in 2011 and has become a beloved tradition. Tickets are available online only, with no paper tickets offered, and the event typically sells out quickly.
“We couldn’t do it without the generosity of Southern Eagle Distributing Company, which donates the beer, Swig & Swine, Ritchie Martinez—who’s a bandleader at Bowens Island—and Robert Waller of Dominion Energy.”
As a community partner, Dominion Energy assisted Save the Light with the design and installation of an efficient, renewable-powered lighting system to illuminate the lighthouse. You may have noticed the lighthouse shining on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Eve, as Dominion Energy lights the landmark on holidays and other special occasions.
Paul Fischer, Communications Strategic Advisor for Dominion Energy, shared that “Dominion Energy South Carolina is proud of our long history of support for the Morris Island Lighthouse. As a community partner, we appreciate the lighthouse’s valued place in Charleston’s storied maritime history, as well as the landmark’s iconic status across our broader coastal community.”
Another major fundraising event is the annual 5K run, scheduled for February 7 and organized by the Charleston County Parks and Recreation Commission.
“Save the Light is such a beautiful way to celebrate community and preservation through movement. We will make progress individually and communally, one stride at a time, one step at a time, be it a goal for fitness, for preservation or both,” said Charleston County Parks Fitness and Wellness Manager Allison Foster.
Registration for the race is available online through the Charleston County Parks website and must be completed in advance of race day, which kicks off at 8 a.m. on February 7.
Beck describes these events as a joyful “Folly Beach reunion,” with many familiar faces returning year after year to show their support.
While erosion and extreme weather continue to threaten the lighthouse, Beck remains confident in the strength of the cofferdam and foundation, noting that additional restoration projects are expected to begin this spring.
“It’s a labor of love. I’ve been doing it for 26 years, but a lot of people have contributed. We’re so fortunate to always have a board comprised of people that really love the lighthouse and have technical expertise to lend.”
