You may be wondering why America’s tallest lighthouse is still encased in scaffolding. As with any renovation, you never know what’s concealed beneath the surface, and removing bricks at the Cape Hatteras lighthouse has surely revealed a few hidden surprises. Nonetheless, real progress is still unfolding at one of the most long-standing landmarks on the Outer Banks. Read on to learn more about the history of this attraction and discover the latest restoration updates.
The History
The construction of the first Cape Hatteras lighthouse was completed in October of 1803. However, it was only 90 feet tall, blended in too much with the landscape, and had a weak signal, so it underwent repairs until it was ultimately torn down and rebuilt in 1870. This second Cape Hatteras lighthouse is what still stands today. It towers at a whopping 198.49 feet tall, from the foundation to the top of the tower.
In 1999, the Cape Hatteras lighthouse was moved inland to its present location due to coastal erosion. It took 23 days to move the lighthouse 2,900 feet where it now rests its original distance from the shore. In addition to moving the lighthouse, the site’s Principal Keeper’s Quarters, Double Keepers’ Quarters, dwelling cisterns, and Oil House were all relocated with it.
Today, the lighthouse is currently in the middle of a restoration, which includes mending and restoring masonry, windows, marble flooring, missing interior doors, all of the paint, and more. Before this, about 500,000 people visited Cape Hatteras lighthouse annually, some even daring to climb all 257 stairs. The lighthouse will soon be fully revived for exploration once again.
Good News
Since ground broke on this intense project, a lot of work has been underway. One portion of the restoration incorporates replicas that pay homage to the original Cape Hatteras lighthouse design. The replica of the original Fresnel lens is being fabricated, and the replica stockade fence is currently under construction as well. This fence will surround the Principal Keeper’s Quarters and Double Keepers’ Quarters.
Aside from the fence, there are other exciting improvements being done to the exterior of the lighthouse. The new walkway from the parking lot is about halfway done, and when finished, it will improve pedestrian navigation and the visitor experience as a whole. Additionally, installations have been finalized for the new arrangement of the Keepers of the Light Amphitheater stones, as well as turf and native landscaping.
As for the structure of the lighthouse itself, the paint has been removed from both the interior and exterior. Beyond the paint, repairs and repointing efforts are occurring on the masonry and hundreds of metal elements. New bronze windows have also been designed and are currently being fabricated as a part of the renovation.
Some Setbacks
While contractors tackled these repairs, a few setbacks surfaced that have complicated the flow of this restoration. Many structural components, such as support brackets and the tension ring, are corroding and cracking significantly. Currently, alternative designs are being devised by historic architects and structural engineers in an attempt to rectify these issues.
What the Future Holds
Though much progress has been made, fixing the unforeseen damages will likely push back the resolution of the restoration. A new completion date has not yet been established, but the Cape Hatteras lighthouse grounds are now open to the public. There is still fun to be had perusing the gift shop, utilizing the beach access, learning more history in the museum, and exploring the surrounding areas of the lighthouse; you can even take a virtual tour to supplement your visit. Stop by today to enjoy the site and witness the work being done firsthand to one of the OBX’s most historic places.
