The Morris Island Lighthouse stands alone in the waters just outside the Charleston Harbor and to the north of Folly Island. She is one of the most recognizable landmarks in all of Charleston.

But, there are few people outside the Charleston area that know more about her than she used to be sitting on the now eroded Morris Island.

For example: did you know there used to be a home and other lighthouse buildings next to the light? Or that the light keeper's family would live there with him? Here are a few more facts we gathered for you about Morris Island and her Light.

1. Multiple light structures have served as the lighthouse on Morris.

At least four light structures have been built on Morris Island, but it's likely there were at total of five. The one shown here was erected during the Civil War on top of the remains of the light destroyed by the government. It was an effort to destroy all lights along the southeast coast at the start of the Civil War to prevent Confederate troops from getting control over the lights.

2. Clara Barton - founder of The American Red Cross.

Clara Barton, who would become the founder of The American Red Cross, was transferred from her Union post in Hilton Head to Morris Island in June of 1863. She was a nurse.

3. The Civil War Fort Wagner.

The Union Troops reported the Morris Island Light totally destroyed in 1862. Just prior to that the lighthouse keeper was reportedly banished and ordered to leave the state entirely. There was a fort on the island that became a Union stronghold for a while. It was called Fort Wagner; part of the fort is shown here in a photo taken in 1865.

4. The light used to be 1200 feet from the sea...and on land.

In 1876 when the new Morris Island Light was completed it was 1200 feet from the water. It was 161 feet high; the construction cost was $149,000.

5. The Charleston earthquake of 1886.

The light saw more damage in 1885 from a cyclone than it did in 1886 during the earthquake that destroyed so much of Charleston. However, the earthquake did cause two extensive cracks in the light's tower.

6. Hurricane Hugo.

In September of 1989, Hurricane Hugo wiped out the last of the remaining buildings that were associated with the lighthouse.

7. The first light on Morris Island wasn't a tower like today's light.

Technically, the first navigational assistance was placed on Morris Island in 1673. It was a simple raised metal pan, filled with pitch and set afire at night. In 1767, the first light structure was erected. It was 40-feet tall. (Source: SaveTheLight.org.)

8. The reason the Light sits all the way out there in the water.

1889 construction of new "jetties" to protect the shipping channels in the Charleston Harbor quickly caused extensive Morris Island erosion. By 1938, the water was lapping at the foundation of the Light.

9. Sullivan's Island's lighthouse.

The oddly-shaped lighthouse on Sullivan's Island was built to replace the Morris Island light. Morris Island's light was decommissioned in 1962. The new "Charleston Light" was first lit on June 15, 1962.

The current light is under the protection of a forceful and determined group of volunteers known as the Save The Light organization. If you'd like to learn more about Save The Light and how you can  help to save this treasured part of South Carolina's history here's a link to their website.

What other South Carolina lighthouses have you visited and which is your favorite? Tell us in our comments.