Historic records from March 1890 note that the lighthouse was complete, "including one of the larger sized fire proof oil light houses."

In the United States, two were constructed: the Hunting Island Lighthouse and subsequently Florida's Cape Canaveral Light.

With its 167 steps that lead to an impressive observation deck, the Hunting Island Lighthouse has a handsomely built cast and wrought-iron staircase, railings and support beams that were fashioned by the Phoenix Iron Works company of Philadelphia.

The Lighthouse was first located on the northern portion of Hunting Island, South Carolina, but severe beach erosion threatened the light station and its structures.

In 2003 the lighthouse was closed for an 18-month period after rust had compromised the structural integrity of several of its cast-iron stairs.

Repairs lasted for over 18 months, and included fixing cracked stairs, as well as the installation of steel brace reinforcements.

The silvery-grayish braces stand in stark contrast to the black cast-iron stairs, which in turn allows visitors to distinguish between the original structural components and the more-recent modifications aimed at protecting the lighthouse's historic integrity.