North Carolina Lighthouses

Since the first lighthouse was built in Boston in the year 1716, lighthouses have been part of the American coastlines. The very first lighthouse built in South Carolina was the Old Charleston Lighthouse on Morris Island. Since the year 1716 many beautiful lighthouses have been built along the shores of North and South Carolina, unfortunately many of these have long since vanished. However there are still eighteen light towers scattered all along the coasts of the Carolinas.

The Currituck Lighthouse was built in 1875. This lighthouse took a little over 1 year to build and cost an estimated $178.000 dollars to complete. Even though this lighthouse is one of the very oldest, there have been several renovations recently to bring it up to date and make it more comfortable and inviting for visitors. Other points of interest for this area would be the Kill Devil Hills Lifesaving Station, which is a very interesting shop with many of the latest and even some of the oldest, lifesaving equipment around. And at the Currituck National Wildlife Refuge you'll be able to view many of the endangered animals this area is known for. Such as the blue heron, wild boar and the beautiful wild horses that roam the coasts of the Carolinas. In all there are more than 1,800 acres that are filled with incredible species of birds and animals to see. And no visit to this area would be complete with a stop at the Whalehead Club. This is a 23 mile stretch of prime coastal terrain lined with Beverly Hills type mansions, one of them just happens to be the Whalehead club. Whalehead is a large mansion once owned by Currituck County and is open seasonally to the public for a small fee.

The Bodie Island Lighthouse is another one of the attractions of North Carolina. This lighthouse sits on an isolated 35 mile stretch of land north of Cape Hatteras. Numerous renovations have been done to the original lighthouse and now it welcomes guests and villagers. The lower portion of the beacon is always open to the public as well as the keepers duplex. What was once considered to be the living area of the lighthouse keeper has been converted into a visitor center which features exhibits, restrooms and even a gift shop. In 1995 many new exhibits were added, including artifacts from other lighthouses along the coast, some which are no longer standing. The Coast Guard has turned over the lighthouse, as well as the grounds, to the National Park Service. Other points of visitors interest in this area would be the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. The lighthouse is a big part of this 30,000 acre preserve that also includes many beaches and marshes to be explored and enjoyed. Coquina Beach, which is part of this area has wonderful swimming, bathing and picnic facilities. This is also an excellent place for birdwatchers, as there are many waterfowl and different types of birds in the area. And of course don't forget to stop by and see the Wright Brothers Memorial, which is a 4,500 pound monument honoring the infamous December 17th 1903 flight. Another one of the most popular lighthouses in the area would have to be the Cape Hattares lighthouse which marks the eastern tip of North Carolinas Outer Banks. This lighthouse is a testament to mans futility against the sea. This lighthouse marks the spot of a 12 mile sandbar that lies just offshore and before the erection of the Cape Hatteras lighthouse, was the doom of many ships. Before the lighthouse was erected, sailors had no idea that they were near a giant sandbar until they were literally on top of it. This lighthouse has been designated as a National Historic Landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The tower is continually monitored to insure that it stays stable. Since the summer of 2000 more than 3400 visitors a day have made it to the top of the lighthouse to enjoy the beautiful views. Other interesting sights to see in this area would be the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum. This museum has paraphernalia from over one thousand shipwrecks that have occurred on the North Carolina coast. There are many amazing exhibits featured at this museum. if you are a sea lover this will definitely be something you want wont to miss when you visit this area of North Carolina. For more information on lighthouses and different North Carolina attractions visit www.outerbanks.com .