Elan Vacations

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

posted by Blog Administrator @ 4:46 AM