Sullivan's Island Lighthouse (WCIV)SULLIVANS ISLAND, S.C. (AP) - The last major
lighthouse built in the United States is 50 years old this year. And the
National Park Service is considering ways to keep Charleston Light on
Sullivan's Island shining well into the future.
When the light was
commissioned in 1962, it was the second-brightest in the Western
Hemisphere. It was so bright, island residents complained and the light
was dimmed. They also didn't like its orange-red color, so the tower was
painted black and white.
The Coast Guard turned the
light over to the park service four years ago. There's no public access
inside the tower because of lead paint.
1 of several alternatives
being considered would be to repaint and perhaps, one day, provide
public access to the lantern room atop the tower.
