By Rupa Raman
The North Carolina coastline extends over 300 miles. The
beaches are mostly flat, with few mountains or other high, natural landmarks for mariners to use to navigate their vessels. Treacherous waters, shoals, numerous inlets and "sounds" made it necessary to construct lighthouses on the North Carolina coast at several prominent ports. These lighthouses stand not just as beacons of safety but also as landmarks themselves, with their unique structures and appearances having become easily identifiable symbols for many.
Bald Head Island
Popularly known as Old Baldy, this is the oldest standing lighthouse in North Carolina. It became operational in 1817 and cost about $16,000 to construct. This 110-foot-tall lighthouse is located on Bald Head Island and was built to help ships navigate through the waters of the Cape Fear River. It is octagonal in shape and its tower is built out of brick, painted with plaster on the outside. The Old Baldy was deactivated in 1930 and is now open to tourists. The keeper's quarters, which were destroyed earlier, have been rebuilt and now function as a museum and historic site. Visitors can buy gifts and memorabilia, and climb the historic lighthouse tower for a view during the summer months. For more information and to make reservations, call (910) 457-7481 or visit www.baldheadisland.com.
Ocracoke Island
Constructed in 1823, this is North Carolina's oldest functioning lighthouse in continuous service. The 1820s saw the increasing popularity of Ocracoke Island as a shipping port, and it became necessary to construct a lighthouse on the island. It cost about $11,400 to build. Constructed out of brick and plaster, this lighthouse stands 65 feet tall, is conical in shape and has a three-room keeper's quarters. The lighthouse is maintained by the National Park Service and is not open to the public for tours. Visitors can, however, see the tower and outbuildings and enjoy walking around the surrounding grounds. Ocracoke island can be reached by taking a passenger/automobile ferry from Cape Hatteras. You can reach the Ocracoke Island Museum and Preservation Society at (252) 928-7375.
Cape Lookout
The first tall lighthouse to be constructed on the Outer Banks, the Cape Lookout lighthouse stands 160 feet tall and cost $45,000 to build. The light can be seen from 19 miles away. It is built out of brick and is painted in a black and white diamond pattern. During the Civil War, Cape Lookout Lighthouse and the surrounding areas served as a military stronghold. The original Cape Lookout Lighthouse, built in 1812, consisted of two towers, which stood next to the new lighthouse. The older lighthouse was destroyed during the Civil War. This lighthouse is still in operation and is not open to the public, but has a museum and visitor center that may be of interest to tourists. It can only be accessed by boat. Call the National Parks Service at (252) 728-2250 for a list of ferry services. Visit http://www.nps.gov/calo/planyourvisit/hours.htm for visiting hours and more information.
Cape Hatteras
The present tower of this popular North Carolina landmark was built in 1870 at a cost of $150,000. This is the tallest brick lighthouse in the United States, standing at a height of 198 feet. This operational lighthouse with 257 stairs welcomes over 175,000 visitors each year, offering them spectacular views from its top. Its light is visible for up to 20 miles into the sea. The Cape Hatteras lighthouse was built to warn ships of the dangerous waters of Diamond Shoals, where the cold Labrador and warm Gulf Stream meet. As erosion posed a major problem to the lighthouse, the Cape Hatteras lighthouse was relocated to a point about 3,000 feet inland in 1999. The Cape Hatteras lighthouse, a national historic landmark, is the most popular symbol of North Carolina and its distinctive black and white barber-pole or candy-stripe exteriors can be identified during the day from many miles away. For more information about visiting this lighthouse or other details, call (252) 473-2111.
Bodie Island
The Bodie Island lighthouse as it stands today first became operational in 1872. Constructed out of brick, cast iron and stone, this 156-foot-tall light house has 214 stairs and cost $140,000 to build. Although the lighthouse tower is not open to public, tourists can enjoy visiting the grounds around the lighthouse and the keeper's quarters, which houses a museum and gift shop. This lighthouse features broad black and white horizontal bands. For further information, contact Bodie Island Lighthouse and Keepers Quarters at(252) 441-5711.
Currituck Beach
This operational lighthouse built in 1875 stands 162 feet tall and cost $178,000 to complete. This lighthouse is located in Corolla and filled the last remaining dark spot on the North Carolina coast. Very similar in structure to the Bodie Island, Cape Lookout and Cape Hatteras lighthouses, this is the only lighthouse in the series that remains unpainted, retaining its distinctive, natural red brick exteriors. The lighthouse tower was granted to the Outer Banks Conservationists in 2003. The restoration of the Currituck beach Light Station is considered among America's best lighthouse restorations. The lighthouse and museum shop are open from Easter to Thanksgiving and the grounds are open year-round. For information about this lighthouse contact the Outer Banks Conservationists: P.O. Box 58 Corolla, NC 27929; (252) 453-4939; info@currituckbeachlight.com.
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About the Author:
Rupa Raman writes for ModernMom, Travels, RedEnvelope and other sites on intentional parenting, volunteering, travel, careers and holistic living and has published articles for the United Way. She has over six years of writing experience. She holds a master's degree in communication from MOP Vaishnav College, Chennai, India.
