One of the most popular attractions on the island is the Ocracoke Lighthouse. I thought you might be intereseted in some facts and history about it.
In 1822 the federal government purchased two acres of land at the south end of the island. This was to be the site for the new lighthouse.
It cost $11,359.35 to build in 1823
It stands approx. 75 feet tall and is the shortest lighthouse on the NC coast. The walls are solid brick; five feet thick at the bootom and tapering to two feet at the top.
The beam can be seen for fourteen miles.
This is the second oldest operating lighthouse in the United States and the oldest in North Carolina.
The exterior’s solid white color served as its identifying mark to sailors and mariners by day. The original whitewash “recipe” called for a mixture of lime, salt, spanish whiting, rice, glue, and boiling water and this was applied to the lighthouse while the mixture was hot.
The lighthouse has been through many hurricanes. During the storm of 1944 water lapped against the doorstep and was seven inches deep in the keeper's quarters.
During the summer months there is a US Park Ranger on duty and visitors may enter the base of the lighthouse but climbing is not permitted.
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