Description: The most famous lighthouse in North Carolina is the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse located near Buxton. The lighthouse sits in the heart of the "Graveyard of the Atlantic." In this area, the warm Gulf Stream current collides with colder currents from Canada, which creates ideal conditions for powerful ocean swells and storm surges. There were many ships that ran aground or sunk off the coast that it eventually acquired its nickname. Because of the number of shipwrecks, Congress authorized the construction of a lighthouse.
The construction of the lighthouse began in 1799 and it was first lit in 1803. It was originally built to only a height of 90 feet, but it was ineffective to warn ships because it was too short. Therefore in 1853, an additional 60 feet was added to the lighthouse bringing it to 150 feet tall. In the 1860’s, the lighthouse was in need of major repairs and in 1868 the building of a new lighthouse began.

The current Cape Hatteras Lighthouse was first lit on December 1, 1870. Shortly after completion of the lighthouse, the original 1803 lighthouse was demolished. The current lighthouse stands 210 feet tall and is the tallest lighthouse in the United States. The lighthouse has a red brick octagonal base and in 1873, the lighthouse was given its distinctive black and white spiral pattern. In 1934, the lighthouse was automated and the light has a range of 28 miles.

Although the lighthouse is still an active one, the National Park Service allows visitors to climb to the top. The lighthouse is open for climbing from the third Friday in April through Columbus Day. Tours run every 10 minutes with a limit of thirty visitors at a time. There is a fee of $7 for adults and $3.50 for senior citizens and children ages 11 and under, however they must be at least 42 inches tall.

The climb is very strenuous and it is recommended that tennis shoes be worn. Inside the lighthouse, there is a spiral staircase consisting of 248 steps which is the equivalent of a twelve story building. There is a handrail on only one side and a landing every 31 steps. There is no air conditioning inside the lighthouse. Visitors must also contend with two way traffic up and down the narrow staircase. The climb to the top of the tower was well worth it. Besides being able to say that I climbed to the top of the tallest lighthouse in the US, the climb also treated me to some of the most spectacular views of the Outer Banks. The Atlantic Ocean and the surrounding towns give visitors an idea of just how beautiful the Outer Banks really are. Back down on the ground, the principal keeper quarters and the double keepers quarters are the original buildings. The double keeper’s quarters are now a lighthouse museum, visitor center, and gift shop.

In 1999, because of erosion, the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse was in danger of falling into the ocean. Therefore, the lighthouse and the other six historical structures had to be moved. Many people doubted that the lighthouse would survive the move. However, after 23 days, the lighthouse and the other structures were moved successfully a distance of 2900 feet from its original location. The lighthouse is now 1500 feet away from the seashore. The new lighthouse was rededicated in 2000 and because of the risky move the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse will be around for a long time to be enjoyed by many more people.
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