Lighting up the Outer Banks
Part 2
As a continuation from last week’s blog, I will discuss the three remaining lighthouses in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Last week I reviewed the Bodie Island Lighthouse and the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. This week we will take a look at the Currituck Beach Lighthouse, the Ocracoke Lighthouse, and the Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse.
Located on the shore of Corolla, North Carolina and standing at 163 feet tall is the Currituck Beach Lighthouse. Construction on this Lighthouse was completed in 1875. The light from the tower is visible for 19 miles under clear conditions. The Currituck lighthouse is an all brick structure that has never been painted in order to help distinguish it from other nearby lighthouses. It is the only lighthouse in North Carolina to remain in its original structure. Currently, the lighthouse is open to visitors between Easter and Thanksgiving.
The oldest Lighthouse on the shores of the Outer Banks is the Ocracoke Lighthouse. It is also the second oldest operating lighthouse in the nation. The first creation of the Ocracoke Lighthouse was built in 1803 on Shell Castle Island. It lasted only 15 years until it was destroyed by lightning. In 1823 the second Ocracoke lighthouse was built which still stands today. The Ocracoke Lighthouse stands only 75 feet tall and its light can be seen for 14 miles.
The original Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse was constructed in 1857 and was better known as the screwpile lighthouse. It lasted until 1955 when it was decommissioned. In September of 2004 the Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse was reconstructed on the pier of the Manteo Waterfront. The Lighthouse is the newest in the Outer Banks area. Its design is unique and modeled after the original, a small cottage with a light tower on top. Due to its design, the peak of the Lighthouse only reaches 75 feet.
These lighthouses play a very important role in keeping our shores safe. Thanks to the lighthouses in the Outer Banks, countless ships have steered away from danger.
Labels: Lighthouses, Outer Banks
Lighting up the Outer Banks
Lighthouses are some of the oldest historical sites in the United States. The Outer Banks of North Carolina is home to some of the most dangerous waters which have led to the perils of numerous ships. This area received the notorious nickname, the “Graveyard of the Atlantic.” The lighthouses were constructed to help aid these vessels through the turbulent waters. The emergence of lighthouses was crucial to the area of the Outer Banks. The lighthouses that reside in the Outer Banks are the Bodie Island Lighthouse, the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, the Currituck Beach Lighthouse, the Ocracoke lighthouse, and the Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse. In this blog we will focus on the Bodie Island Lighthouse and the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse.
The Bodie Island Lighthouse was first constructed in 1848 under the direction of Thomas Blount. Blount had not had any experience in building a lighthouse. His inexperience was evident when 2 years after completion the tower began to lean due to its unsupported brick foundation. The problem got worse and led to the abandonment of the lighthouse in 1859. The second attempt at the Bodie Island Lighthouse took place that same year. Again the lighthouse fell victim to an early demise due to the Civil War. In 1861, two years after completion, the Confederate forces feared that the Union forces would use the lighthouse as an observation point. To prevent the Union forces from using the lighthouse to their advantage, they blew it up. For the next decade the shoreline remained dark. In 1871, after frequent petitions by ship captains, construction on the third Bodie Island Lighthouse began. To this day the lighthouse is still functional and plays an important role for guiding ships around the Outer Banks.
The most famous of lighthouses in the Outer Banks is the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. The first Cape Hatteras Lighthouse was constructed in 1803. The tower was built of sandstone and only stood 90 feet high. In the mid 1800’s countless ship captains were complaining that the light beacon from the Cape Hatteras lighthouse could not be seen causing many dangers. During the Civil War, the Federate forces were concerned that the Union forces would use this Lighthouse as well as the Bodie island Lighthouse to their advantage. In 1861, instead of destroying it, they stole the lens and caused it to be completely non-functional. Although in 1862 a new lens was put in and light was working again. However, due to the damage it sustained, it was decided that it would be cheaper to build a brand new lighthouse. This new lighthouse was completed in 1870 and is still the tallest in the nation standing at 225 feet. The beacon from its light could be seen for 20 miles out to sea. Due to land erosions caused by encroaching sea water, the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse was moved 2900 feet away from the shore in June of 1999. It took 23 days to move the lighthouse the entire distance. The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is currently fully operational and remains open to the public.
The Lighthouses of the Outer Banks have helped countless ships navigate the “Graveyard of the Atlantic.” They really are a sight to see and I recommend visiting them to anyone traveling to the Outer Banks of North Carolina. In the next blog post I will explore the other lighthouses of the Outer Banks.
Labels: Lighthouse, Outer Banks
History of the Outer Banks
The Outer Banks of North Carolina is one of the most historical places in the United States. The Outer Banks is comprised of a chain of barrier islands on the mid-Atlantic coast. Many important events have taken place here which has helped shape American society as we know it today.
The History of the Outer Banks can be traced all the way back to the early 1500’s when the namesake of America, Amerigo Vespucci, anchored in Cape Hatteras, which was named after his ship, “Bight of Hatteras.” Settlers then began colonizing on Roanoke Island. Between 1524 and 1588, many French and Spanish settlers visited the Outer Banks’ shore to search for gold.
In 1587, the first child was born in America to English parents. Her name was Virginia Dare. Although shortly after her birth, the colony disappeared and became famously known as the “Lost Colony.” Her father John White returned to England to seek assistance for the colony, and when he returned 3 years later the colony had vanished.
Moving forward to the 18th century, much of the Outer Banks was engulfed in conflicts with Native Americans and pirates. In order to instill order and stop the fighting, the Royals in Britain placed the area under strict control in 1724. During that time, the regions were peaceful and did prosper, until North Carolina joined in the revolution from Britain to gain its independence between 1776 and 1783. After that time and throughout the 19th century, the Outer Banks became a relatively quiet area. However, during the time of the American Civil War in the 1860’s there were a few battles that took place which involved Fort Clark and Fort Hatteras, followed by Roanoke Island.
On December 17, 1903, Wilbur and Orville Wright put the Outer Bank’s back on the map. The Wright Brothers were the first to fly an airplane that was powered by propulsion. Although the flight was very short, the first one only 12 seconds and only covered 120 feet, history was made and a new fascination with flying was created. The airplane took off on a windy day from Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. In their honor, the Wright Brothers National Memorial was created. Today, December 17th, is the 104th anniversary of this great achievement in American History.
During the early to mid 1900’s the Outer Banks felt the effect of both World Wars. After the Wars were over, the Outer Banks emerged as a popular tourist area. To this day the area still remains a heavy destination for tourists. There are many exciting things to do such as fishing, hunting, boating, golfing and hiking. If you are more into relaxing, you can visit the pristine beaches and beautiful wildlife areas. For those of you history buffs, you can visit the Wright Brothers National Memorial and many of the historic lighthouses. No matter what your pleasure, you are sure to enjoy everything the Outer Banks has to offer.
The Outer Banks Biking and Hiking
Visiting the Outer Banks can be fun and exciting. A great way to see this area is by bike or foot. Walking and bike riding around the Outer Banks will provide some great sight seeing and exercise. You can enjoy many parks, protected areas, or just explore the beach.
Biking
There are many places to enjoy biking in the Outer Banks. You can bike more than 100 miles from Corolla and Duck at the north end to Cape Hatteras and Ocracoke at the south end. At the end of this leg, you can take a restful 40 minute ferry ride free of charge. The ferry goes between Hatteras Village and Ocracoke where more fun riding can be found. The Outer Banks is mostly flat, so its a fairly easy ride. You will always encounter a breeze and the bikes need to be washed at the end of the day because of sea spray. Other good riding spots include Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge, Kitty Hawk’s Coastal Reserve, Manteo and Roanoke Island. There are many bicycle shops around, so check with these local experts for bike rentals, and have them show you their favorite route. A good tip is to print out your bicycle trip in the morning so you know where you are going, and how to get back.
Hiking
Don’t let the flat terrain fool you. The Outer Banks can offer some wonderful hiking and exploring. Visit Jockey’s State Park to experience the East Coast’s biggest sand dune. This shifting sand dune rises to over 100 feet. Here hikers can spot wildlife, native vegetation and a glorious view of the ocean. Hikers will have to share this area with avid hang gliders, kite flyers and other outdoor enthusiasts. Other great hiking spots include Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge and the Currituck Banks Coastal Estuarine Reserve.
When exploring the Outer Banks by foot or bike, let someone know when you expect to be back, just in case something should happen. We have all heard about lost hikers and bikers that were stuck for days because no one knew where they were going and when they were going to be back.
Outer Banks Vacation Home vs. Hotel Suite.
Now that you have decided to visit the Outer Banks, it is time to choose where to stay. There are many options when it comes to accommodations. In most cases, you can find a vacation home for the same price as a high end hotel suite. Vacation homes tend to be more comfortable, spacious and private.
Renting a vacation home for a week or more can offer the freedom you and your family will appreciate during a vacation. Once you check in, you are not bothered by hotel employees or other guests as with a traditional hotel setting. Because vacation homes have full kitchens, you are not forced to eat in-house or at restaurants every night. Saving money by not eating out can leave you with extra funds to enjoy the other activities the Outer Banks has to offer.
Not only will you save money with a vacation home, but it gives you more choices. By going though a vacation rental agency, you can choose the vacation home that best suits your style and needs. A traditional hotel has limited accommodation options, where a vacation home gives almost endless configurations. With a hotel suite, at most you will get a two bedroom setup. This can get cramped for a family of 4 during a 7 day vacation stay. With, a vacation home, you can select a home with enough space to accommodate everyone in the family, with room to spare.
The next time you are going to visit the Outer Banks, take another look at a vacation home to rent, and your family will thank you.
