Cape Hatteras Light Station

Also known as: Museum of the Sea, Cape Hatteras Lighthouse
SE of Buxton off NC 12 in Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Buxton, North Carolina

Tallest Lighthouse in the United States

Photos

Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, Point of Cape Hatteras

Photo from the Historic American Buildings Survey

View photos at Library of Congress

Map

Coordinates:
+35.25050, -75.52901
35°15'02" N, 75°31'44" W

Quadrangle map:
Buxton

Street View

View #1

Description

Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is significant as an important aid to the navigation of the Atlantic Coast. The Diamond Shoals which extend up to ten miles out from Cape Hatteras, coupled with the Gulf Stream currents, earned this area its reputation as the "graveyard of the Atlantic." A lighthouse was first established here in 1803, heightened in 1853. It was replaced with the current lighthouse in 1869-70. The current light tower, painted with black and white spirals for recognition during the day, is the tallest brick light tower in the United States. When built, the lighthouse stood 1,500 feet from the ocean. However, constant erosion had pushed the mean water mark to within 120 feet of the lighthouse base by 1970. Strong storms would push water around the light's base. In 1999 the light tower was successfully moved 2,900 feet from its original location placing it once again about 1,60 feet from the mean water line. Scientist say this should keep this beautiful landmark standing for at least the next 100 years. -- Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS NC-357)

National Register information

Status: Posted to the National Register of Historic Places on March 29, 1978
Reference number: 78000266
Areas of significance: Engineering; Commerce; Social History; Transportation
Levels of significance: National; State
Evaluation criteria: C - Design/Construction; A - Event
Property type: District
Historic function: Water-related
Current functions: Park; Museum; Coast guard facility; Water-related
Periods of significance: 1825-1849; 1800-1824; 1850-1874; 1875-1899
Significant years: 1803; 1854; 1870
Number of properties: Contributing buildings: 4
Contributing sites: 1

Update Log

June 23, 2017: New photos from Michael Miller
August 1, 2010: Updated by Bill Eichelberger: Corrected GPS coordinates.
July 12, 2010: Updated by Curtis Lee: Corrected year built; updated description

Sources

HABS NC-357 - Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, Point of Cape Hatteras
HABS NC-357-A - Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, Double Keeper's Dwelling
HABS NC-357-B - Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, Principal Keeper's Dwelling
Curtis Lee - clee47ford [at] yahoo [dot] com
Bill Eichelberger - wallyum [at] hotmail [dot] com
Michael Miller - michael_a_miller [at] yahoo [dot] com
National Register database - Reference number 78000266
National Historic Landmark information