Bodie Island Lighthouse

Located on the Outer Banks about 35 miles north of Cape Hatteras, this 164-foot light is the third built at this site. The first only lasted about a decade while the second succumbed to the dynamite of retreating Confederate soldiers in 1861. The present light was lit in 1872 and serves as an active aid to navigation to the present day. For the past decade the light has been undergoing various forms of renovation. When I visited in December of 2011 neither the tower or the keepers building were open to the public.

Bodie Island Lighthouse

Located on the Outer Banks about 35 miles north of Cape Hatteras, this 164-foot light is the third built at this site. The first only lasted about a decade while the second succumbed to the dynamite of retreating Confederate soldiers in 1861. The present light was lit in 1872 and serves as an active aid to navigation to the present day. For the past decade the light has been undergoing various forms of renovation. When I visited in December of 2011 neither the tower or the keepers building were open to the public.

Bodie Island Lighthouse

Located on the Outer Banks about 35 miles north of Cape Hatteras, this 164-foot light is the third built at this site. The first only lasted about a decade while the second succumbed to the dynamite of retreating Confederate soldiers in 1861. The present light was lit in 1872 and serves as an active aid to navigation to the present day. For the past decade the light has been undergoing various forms of renovation. When I visited in December of 2011 neither the tower or the keepers building were open to the public.

Bodie Island Lighthouse

Located on the Outer Banks about 35 miles north of Cape Hatteras, this 164-foot light is the third built at this site. The first only lasted about a decade while the second succumbed to the dynamite of retreating Confederate soldiers in 1861. The present light was lit in 1872 and serves as an active aid to navigation to the present day. For the past decade the light has been undergoing various forms of renovation. When I visited in December of 2011 neither the tower or the keepers building were open to the public.

Cape Hatteras Lighthouse

Perhaps the United State's most iconic lighthouse, Cape Hatteras was built to guide ships through some of the most dangerous seas on the east coast. The original tower built at the cape was completed in 1803 and served for over half a century before succumbing, as so many southern lighthouses did, to the ravages of the Civil War. Damage inflicted on the light during the war were sufficient enough that Congress determined that a building an entirely new lighthouse would be more cost-effective. The present 203-foot tower (the highest in the U.S.) was lit in 1870 and served until 1935 when the Coast Guard abandoned it as it appeared the light would soon fall into the sea. In 1950 the light was relit, however, as the shoreline had once again retreated from the light. Mother nature's reprieve would be brief. By 1990 the ocean had once again eaten to within 100' of the tower and a massive effort was soon underway to relocate the historic structure. In 1999, through a remarkable feat of engineering, the light and keepers building were carefully moved a half-mile inland. The light continues to be an active aid to navigation to this day and in the summer you can climb its 248 steps for a truly spectacular view of the surrounding seashore.

Cape Hatteras Lighthouse

Perhaps the United State's most iconic lighthouse, Cape Hatteras was built to guide ships through some of the most dangerous seas on the east coast. The original tower built at the cape was completed in 1803 and served for over half a century before succumbing, as so many southern lighthouses did, to the ravages of the Civil War. Damage inflicted on the light during the war were sufficient enough that Congress determined that a building an entirely new lighthouse would be more cost-effective. The present 203-foot tower (the highest in the U.S.) was lit in 1870 and served until 1935 when the Coast Guard abandoned it as it appeared the light would soon fall into the sea. In 1950 the light was relit, however, as the shoreline had once again retreated from the light. Mother nature's reprieve would be brief. By 1990 the ocean had once again eaten to within 100' of the tower and a massive effort was soon underway to relocate the historic structure. In 1999, through a remarkable feat of engineering, the light and keepers building were carefully moved a half-mile inland. The light continues to be an active aid to navigation to this day and in the summer you can climb its 248 steps for a truly spectacular view of the surrounding seashore.

Cape Hatteras Lighthouse

Perhaps the United State's most iconic lighthouse, Cape Hatteras was built to guide ships through some of the most dangerous seas on the east coast. The original tower built at the cape was completed in 1803 and served for over half a century before succumbing, as so many southern lighthouses did, to the ravages of the Civil War. Damage inflicted on the light during the war were sufficient enough that Congress determined that a building an entirely new lighthouse would be more cost-effective. The present 203-foot tower (the highest in the U.S.) was lit in 1870 and served until 1935 when the Coast Guard abandoned it as it appeared the light would soon fall into the sea. In 1950 the light was relit, however, as the shoreline had once again retreated from the light. Mother nature's reprieve would be brief. By 1990 the ocean had once again eaten to within 100' of the tower and a massive effort was soon underway to relocate the historic structure. In 1999, through a remarkable feat of engineering, the light and keepers building were carefully moved a half-mile inland. The light continues to be an active aid to navigation to this day and in the summer you can climb its 248 steps for a truly spectacular view of the surrounding seashore.

Cape Hatteras Lighthouse

Perhaps the United State's most iconic lighthouse, Cape Hatteras was built to guide ships through some of the most dangerous seas on the east coast. The original tower built at the cape was completed in 1803 and served for over half a century before succumbing, as so many southern lighthouses did, to the ravages of the Civil War. Damage inflicted on the light during the war were sufficient enough that Congress determined that a building an entirely new lighthouse would be more cost-effective. The present 203-foot tower (the highest in the U.S.) was lit in 1870 and served until 1935 when the Coast Guard abandoned it as it appeared the light would soon fall into the sea. In 1950 the light was relit, however, as the shoreline had once again retreated from the light. Mother nature's reprieve would be brief. By 1990 the ocean had once again eaten to within 100' of the tower and a massive effort was soon underway to relocate the historic structure. In 1999, through a remarkable feat of engineering, the light and keepers building were carefully moved a half-mile inland. The light continues to be an active aid to navigation to this day and in the summer you can climb its 248 steps for a truly spectacular view of the surrounding seashore.

Cape Hatteras Lighthouse

Perhaps the United State's most iconic lighthouse, Cape Hatteras was built to guide ships through some of the most dangerous seas on the east coast. The original tower built at the cape was completed in 1803 and served for over half a century before succumbing, as so many southern lighthouses did, to the ravages of the Civil War. Damage inflicted on the light during the war were sufficient enough that Congress determined that a building an entirely new lighthouse would be more cost-effective. The present 203-foot tower (the highest in the U.S.) was lit in 1870 and served until 1935 when the Coast Guard abandoned it as it appeared the light would soon fall into the sea. In 1950 the light was relit, however, as the shoreline had once again retreated from the light. Mother nature's reprieve would be brief. By 1990 the ocean had once again eaten to within 100' of the tower and a massive effort was soon underway to relocate the historic structure. In 1999, through a remarkable feat of engineering, the light and keepers building were carefully moved a half-mile inland. The light continues to be an active aid to navigation to this day and in the summer you can climb its 248 steps for a truly spectacular view of the surrounding seashore.

Cape Hatteras Lighthouse (original foundation site)

Perhaps the United State's most iconic lighthouse, Cape Hatteras was built to guide ships through some of the most dangerous seas on the east coast. The original tower built at the cape was completed in 1803 and served for over half a century before succumbing, as so many southern lighthouses did, to the ravages of the Civil War. Damage inflicted on the light during the war were sufficient enough that Congress determined that a building an entirely new lighthouse would be more cost-effective. The present 203-foot tower (the highest in the U.S.) was lit in 1870 and served until 1935 when the Coast Guard abandoned it as it appeared the light would soon fall into the sea. In 1950 the light was relit, however, as the shoreline had once again retreated from the light. Mother nature's reprieve would be brief. By 1990 the ocean had once again eaten to within 100' of the tower and a massive effort was soon underway to relocate the historic structure. In 1999, through a remarkable feat of engineering, the light and keepers building were carefully moved a half-mile inland. The light continues to be an active aid to navigation to this day and in the summer you can climb its 248 steps for a truly spectacular view of the surrounding seashore.

Cape Hatteras Lighthouse (original foundation site)

Perhaps the United State's most iconic lighthouse, Cape Hatteras was built to guide ships through some of the most dangerous seas on the east coast. The original tower built at the cape was completed in 1803 and served for over half a century before succumbing, as so many southern lighthouses did, to the ravages of the Civil War. Damage inflicted on the light during the war were sufficient enough that Congress determined that a building an entirely new lighthouse would be more cost-effective. The present 203-foot tower (the highest in the U.S.) was lit in 1870 and served until 1935 when the Coast Guard abandoned it as it appeared the light would soon fall into the sea. In 1950 the light was relit, however, as the shoreline had once again retreated from the light. Mother nature's reprieve would be brief. By 1990 the ocean had once again eaten to within 100' of the tower and a massive effort was soon underway to relocate the historic structure. In 1999, through a remarkable feat of engineering, the light and keepers building were carefully moved a half-mile inland. The light continues to be an active aid to navigation to this day and in the summer you can climb its 248 steps for a truly spectacular view of the surrounding seashore.

Charleston (Sullivan's Island) Lighthouse

The Charleston Lighthouse is located on Sullivans Island, northeast of Charleston. Completed in 1962, it has to be one of the ugliest lighthouses I've ever seen. The tower is 140 feet tall and keepers access the lantern room via the only lighthouse elevator in the US. The lighthouse and grounds are off-limits to the public.

Charleston (Sullivan's Island) Lighthouse

The Charleston Lighthouse is located on Sullivans Island, northeast of Charleston. Completed in 1962, it has to be one of the ugliest lighthouses I've ever seen. The tower is 140 feet tall and keepers access the lantern room via the only lighthouse elevator in the US. The lighthouse and grounds are off-limits to the public.

Hunting Island Lighthouse

The present Hunting Island Light began service in 1875, replacing an earlier light destroyed during the Civil War. It stands 136 feet tall and once housed a 2nd Order Fresnel Lens. The white picket fence surrounds the original grounds. The brick foundations are all that is left of the original keeper and fog signal buildings but two renovated outbuildings are open to tour.

Key West Lighthouse

Key West Lighthouse

Hunting Island Lighthouse

The present Hunting Island Light began service in 1875, replacing an earlier light destroyed during the Civil War. It stands 136 feet tall and once housed a 2nd Order Fresnel Lens. The white picket fence surrounds the original grounds. The brick foundations are all that is left of the original keeper and fog signal buildings but two renovated outbuildings are open to tour.

Morris Island Lighthouse

The lighthouse you see today is the third to occupy this site. It stands 158 feet tall and housed a 1st Order Fresnel Lens. It began operation in 1876 and was originally 2700 feet inland. It is now 1600 feet offshore and the closest viewpoint is at Folly Beach.

Hunting Island Lighthouse

The present Hunting Island Light began service in 1875, replacing an earlier light destroyed during the Civil War. It stands 136 feet tall and once housed a 2nd Order Fresnel Lens. The white picket fence surrounds the original grounds. The brick foundations are all that is left of the original keeper and fog signal buildings but two renovated outbuildings are open to tour.

Ponce Inlet Lighthouse

Ponce Inlet Lighthouse

Ponce Inlet Lighthouse

Ponce Inlet Lighthouse

St. Augustine Lighthouse

St. Augustine Lighthouse