Lighthouses of North Carolina’s Outer Banks Ardith Sizemore

Why So Many Lighthouses Along North Carolina’s Coast? Much shipping and commerce in the 1800s – Strong currents – Fierce storms – Shifting shoals Hundreds of ships have sunk in these menacing waters Outer Banks is called the “Graveyard of the Atlantic” Lighthouses of the Outer Banks2

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Bodie Island Lighthouse Present Bodie Island lighthouse is third construction; first two were defective Electric light installed in 1932, ending need for full-time keeper Keeper’s home now serves as ranger office and visitor center Lighthouses of the Outer Banks4

Cape Hatteras Lighthouse Tallest lighthouse in North America Striped markings served as “daymarkers” for daytime sailors Still functions, only now it’s totally automated Light appears to flash every 7 seconds (light actually rotates) Rate of “flashing” identifies the lighthouse Lighthouses of the Outer Banks5

Cape Hatteras Lighthouse (continued) Tallest brick lighthouse in the world 1.25 million bricks Octagonal brick base sits on solid granite Base measures 24 feet by 45.5 feet Lighthouses of the Outer Banks6

Cape Hatteras Lighthouse (continued) Spiraling staircase leads to top 275 steps Over 175,000 tourists visit tower each year to climb the steps Lighthouses of the Outer Banks7

Ocracoke Lighthouse Oldest active lighthouse in North Carolina Shortest lighthouse in North Carolina Original lighthouse made of wood, struck by lightning, burned down Present lighthouse made of brick Diameter 25 feet at base, 12 feet at top Lighthouses of the Outer Banks8

For More Information Ardith Sizemore Division of Historic Preservation Massachusetts State Historical Society 145 Backbay Heights Road Boston, MA Lighthouses of the Outer Banks9