National Lighthouse Day, observed annually on Aug. 7, is chosen to honor the Act of Congress on Aug. 7, 1789, which authorized the construction of the first federal lighthouse.
The day is to appreciate and honor the important role lighthouses have played in maritime history, used as an aid to navigation for maritime pilots at sea or on inland waterways.
There are over 20,000 lighthouses around the world still functioning today.
In North Carolina, there are at least 10 lighthouses still standing and most can be visited. Some of them once served as a range light while others are among the tallest or oldest in the United States.
Here is the list:
Bald Head Lighthouse, Bald Head Island
Bald Head Lighthouse, known as "Old Baldy," is the oldest surviving lighthouse in North Carolina. Old Baldy is located on Bald Head Island and was constructed in 1817. Visitors willing to climb to the top (108 steps) can experience a bird's eye view of the island, Cape Fear River, and nearby shoals.
Oak Island Lighthouse, Caswell Beach
Oak Island Lighthouse, located on Caswell Beach, is the newest of the North Carolina lighthouses. The light was the brightest lighthouse in the United States from 1958 through 1962. The lighthouse standing just over 150 feet, offers the perfect opportunity to see some amazing coastal views. Oak Island lighthouse is the only lighthouse in the world that has "ship's ladders" from the ground level all of the way to the top (131 steps). The lighthouse is in the National Register of Historic Places. For more information, email [email protected].
Price's Creek Lighthouse, Southport
Price's Creek Lighthouse, a small brick tower, is technically a range light and is located on private property in Southport. While not accessible to the public, you can see it from the Fort Fisher-Southport Ferry.
Cape Lookout Lighthouse, Harkers Island
The Cape Lookout Lighthouse is a 163-foot-high lighthouse located on the southern Outer Banks of North Carolina. It flashes every 15 seconds and is visible at least 12 miles out to sea and up to 19 miles. It is one of the very few lighthouses that operate during the day. It became fully automated in 1950. Cape Lookout Lighthouse is located at 1800 Island Road, Harkers Island, and is managed by the National Park Service.
Ocracoke Island Lighthouse, Ocracoke
The Ocracoke Lighthouse, built in 1823, is located in Ocracoke Village at the southern end of Cape Hatteras National Seashore. The lighthouse is not open for climbing, but the base of the lighthouse is open with limited hours during the summer months. The street address is 360 Lighthouse Road, Ocracoke.
Bodie Island Lighthouse, Nags Head
The current Bodie (pronounced "Body") Island Light Station, the third of its kind, completed construction in 1872 and was designed to replace the second Bodie Island Lighthouse, destroyed during the Civil War in 1861. The United States Lighthouse Board purchased 15 acres of land on June 13, 1871, and began construction soon after. The Bodie Island Light Station is located at 8210 Bodie Island Lighthouse Road in Nags Head and is open seasonally for self-guided climbs.
Currituck Beach Lighthouse, Corolla
The first lighting of the Currituck Beach Lighthouse was on Dec. 1, 1875, making it the final lighthouse built on the Outer Banks. With an overall tower height of 162 feet, it is one of the tallest beacons in the country. Currituck Beach Lighthouse is located at 1101 Corolla Village Road, Corolla. For hours of operation visit https://obcinc.org/currituck-beach-lighthouse/plan-your-visit/.
Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, Buxton
The Cape Hatteras Light is a lighthouse located on Hatteras Island in Buxton, and is part of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. It is managed by the National Park Service. It is the tallest lighthouse in the United States from base to tip at 210 feet. The lighthouse's semi-unique pattern makes it easy to recognize. Built in 1870, the lighthouse is at 46379 Lighthouse Road. The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is not open for climbing in 2025 due to restoration efforts.
Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse, Manteo
Standing at the end of a short pier in the town of Manteo, Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse is an exterior replica of the original 1877 lighthouse that once stood guard at the southern entrance to Croatan Sound from Pamlico Sound near Wanchese. The lighthouse is open to visitors and is located at the end of a boardwalk in downtown Manteo and features exhibits about Roanoke Island's maritime history and the lighthouse itself.
Roanoke River Lighthouse, Edenton
Once a guide for ships in the 1800s at the Albemarle Sound at the mouth of the Roanoke River, the lighthouse was decommissioned by the 1940s. The only screw-pile lighthouse in the state, it has been moved twice. The Edenton Historical Commission bought it in 2007 and moved to the town's waterfront, where it was restored.
Cheryl M. Whitaker covers community news for the StarNews. Reach her at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Lighthouses in North Carolina: Here's what to know
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