The Ocracoke Lighthouse, built in 1823,
is the oldest continually operating lighthouse on the NC Coast.
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.
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.
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.
You might also like:
- Saint Augustine Lighthouse
- Polaroid Prologue to Ocracoke Island
- More info on Ocracoke Lighthouse via NPS
Hope you had a great weekend!
