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17 May 2009

Ocracoke Lighthouse


The Ocracoke Lighthouse, built in 1823,
is the oldest continually operating lighthouse on the NC Coast.

Ocracoke Lighthouse

The lighthouse is 75 feet tall. Its diameter narrows from 25 feet at the base to 12
feet at the top. The walls are made of brick which is five feet wide at the bottom
tapering to two feet wide at the top.

Ocracoke Lighthouse

The solid white exterior was made from mixing lime, salt, Spanish whiting, rice, glue,
and boiling water together and applying it, while still hot, to the exterior.

Lighthouse in the Distance

The Ocracoke Lighthouse was electrified in the early 1900s.
The present light is equal to 8,000 candlepower and casts a stationary beckoning beam.
Its beam reaches a distance of 14 miles.

Fully automated, the lighthouse no longer needs a resident lightkeeper to tend to its daily needs.
The United States Coast Guard now oversees the operation of the light.
Since the lightstation is still in operation you cannot climb the tower,
although the site can still be visited daily.

18 comments:

  1. Elaina M. AvalosMay 18, 2009 at 2:25 AM

    No I really miss the NC coast! Beautiful pictures.

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  2. AnonymousMay 18, 2009 at 2:51 AM

    I've always wanted to go up to the top of a lighthouse like that. The view must be awesome!

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  3. LydiaMay 18, 2009 at 6:11 AM

    What a beautiful lighthouse, and superb shots. Thanks for describing the composition of the white exterior. It's luminous!

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  4. Cedar ...May 18, 2009 at 6:49 AM

    For me, that's what a lighthouse should look like,... no stripes, no crazy design,... just basic, beautiful lighthouse! Nice!

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  5. Carol MurdockMay 18, 2009 at 7:00 AM

    I love light houses, they are so mysterious!
    ~ Carol ~

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  6. georgia b.May 18, 2009 at 8:42 AM

    i love lighthouses. these shots capture exactly why.

    i'm definitely going to have to make it over to the east coast some day—maybe i'll wait until hurricane season is over. :)

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  7. *Lissa*May 18, 2009 at 9:19 AM

    Gorgeous!

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  8. CharMay 18, 2009 at 10:13 AM

    I love lighthouses - these are great shots of this beautiful place.

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  9. GreenJelloMay 18, 2009 at 12:34 PM

    I would never have had the patience to put hot lime mix on a building. Nope.

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  10. prinMay 18, 2009 at 1:04 PM

    That's awesome. I love the window and the fact that it's partially made of rice. lol

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  11. ELKMay 18, 2009 at 2:36 PM

    such architectural wonders light houses are...a romantic feel

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  12. TechnodollMay 18, 2009 at 10:04 PM

    OK: rice?? cooked or raw?

    LOL

    totally beautiful... I have a lighthouse fetish, what can I say?

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  13. GillMay 18, 2009 at 11:30 PM

    That looks great. More things in NC to add to my touristy list!!!
    xo
    Love Gillian

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  14. ToniMay 19, 2009 at 3:38 AM

    Such wonderful images! I love lighthouses. You did this one proud. =)

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  15. UnknownMay 19, 2009 at 6:51 AM

    i like its name and the textured white finish.

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  16. Memories Of MineMay 19, 2009 at 8:37 AM

    I heart lighthouses. They are really interesting building. I think you have done this one proud. Nice shots.

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  17. floretaMay 19, 2009 at 5:11 PM

    the first picture looks like a postcard!

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  18. Maya@Completely CoastalMay 21, 2009 at 2:38 PM

    I absolutely love lighthouses and hope to see this one in real life sometime in the future.

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