Located on the Intercoastal Waterway just inland from the Atlantic Ocean, the McClellanville Fire Tower was erected by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service in 1940 and staffed by the South Carolina Forestry Commission until recent years. In 1989 the 100’ Aermotor tower with 7’ x 7’ cab withstood a direct hit from Hurricane Hugo which devastated the surrounding forests. The tower is now owned by the Town of McClellanville which is setting up a non-profit organization to restore and maintain it as an interpretive site and museum. It has the distinction of being the first lookout in South Carolina to be placed on the National Historic Lookout Register.