Cape Lookout Lighthouse North Carolina /cape_lookout_lightho use.htm

Where is Cape Lookout Lighthouse? *The Lighthouse is on Cape Lookout National Seashore at the beach of North Carolina alo/naturescience/inde x.htm Did You Know? Barrier islands, such as those of Cape Lookout National Seashore, are piles of sand. As storms come up from the ocean the beaches are constantly rearranged.

Why was the lighthouse built? Many ships were running aground on the shores they called “Horrible Headland” and “Promontorium Tremendum”. There were low-lying shoals that caused ships to crash, even in good weather. The lighthouse was built to warn these ships. Many ships were running aground on the shores they called “Horrible Headland” and “Promontorium Tremendum”. There were low-lying shoals that caused ships to crash, even in good weather. The lighthouse was built to warn these ships.

When was the lighthouse built? The first Lookout lighthouse was built in 1812 and was 96 feet tall The first Lookout lighthouse was built in 1812 and was 96 feet tall It had red and white stripes It had red and white stripes It soon began to deteriorate (crumble) and the ocean drew in closer to the beacon (lighthouse) It soon began to deteriorate (crumble) and the ocean drew in closer to the beacon (lighthouse) Didn’t help ships enough (was too short) Didn’t help ships enough (was too short)

…History continued In 1859 the government built a taller, brighter lighthouse on the same Cape In 1859 the government built a taller, brighter lighthouse on the same Cape It was still red brick It was still red brick The light was so bright it could be seen for 18 miles at sea The light was so bright it could be seen for 18 miles at sea

…History continued The lighthouse was vandalized (damaged) by Confederate troops during the Civil War The lighthouse was vandalized (damaged) by Confederate troops during the Civil War The bright lens was destroyed The bright lens was destroyed Example of Confederate Soldiers rateArmyPhoto.jpg

…History continued After the war, in 1863, the lighthouse was repaired and put back into use After the war, in 1863, the lighthouse was repaired and put back into use In 1873 the Keeper’s Quarters were built and it was painted the black and white diamond pattern it has now In 1873 the Keeper’s Quarters were built and it was painted the black and white diamond pattern it has now The lighthouse is now 163 feet tall The lighthouse is now 163 feet tall

Recently The lighthouse has been run electronically since 1950 The lighthouse has been run electronically since 1950 About 1,000 feet of the ocean shore has eroded in front of the island between 1940 and 1979 About 1,000 feet of the ocean shore has eroded in front of the island between 1940 and 1979 Will the lighthouse run out of land? Will the lighthouse run out of land? Will it have to be moved, rebuilt, or destroyed? Will it have to be moved, rebuilt, or destroyed?

Another Lighthouse Move In 1999, the tallest lighthouse in America, Cape Hatteras, was moved from its original location to save it from the approaching ocean. In 1999, the tallest lighthouse in America, Cape Hatteras, was moved from its original location to save it from the approaching ocean.

What do you think? If the ocean continues to erode the land closer to the lighthouse, it may cause problems. What do you think the government should do if this happens? Should they move it and how? Should they just build a new one and forget about the historic one? Divide into groups of four and research the possibilities. Then create a campaign poster and short commercial presentation advocating your view. Resource sites will be made available on the following slide. If the ocean continues to erode the land closer to the lighthouse, it may cause problems. What do you think the government should do if this happens? Should they move it and how? Should they just build a new one and forget about the historic one? Divide into groups of four and research the possibilities. Then create a campaign poster and short commercial presentation advocating your view. Resource sites will be made available on the following slide.

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