Watching Over the Waters

Lighthouses of the Outer Banks of North Carolina

By Mary Snyder

The Outer Banks float off the coast of North Carolina almost as an afterthought of sand dangling precariously in the Atlantic. This long, lean stretch of land lies further from its mainland than any other barrier island in the world. More than a hundred miles of ever changing coastline make up the Outer Banks, stretching from the isolated northern beaches of Currituck through the tourist town of Nags Head and down to Hatteras and Ocracoke Island. Lighthouses have illuminated this treacherous coast for more than 200 years, and these sentinels still stand as guardians of the waters and reminders of a time when the coastline was deserted and travel was dangerous.

Our driving tour of the Outer Banks lighthouses will begin with the northernmost of the lighthouses, Currituck. This was last lighthouse built on the Outer Banks and was completed in 1875. It filled the remaining dark spot along this craggy coast. The exterior of this 158-foot building was left unpainted to distinguish it from the other painted lighthouses that dot the coastline. For a fee you can climb the lighthouse stairs. On the grounds you will find the original keeper's house. This Victorian duplex was home to the lighthouse keeper and his family.

The Currituck Lighthouse resides in the town of Corolla, which is home to the last free-roaming wild horses on the Outer Banks. These Banker ponies, as they are known, are the descendants of Spanish Bard ponies and have survived on this barrier island for more than 400 years. The kids will "ohh" and "ahh" over the sight of these fascinating creatures, but remember, if you are fortunate enough to encounter one, these are wild animals and they need plenty of space.

Following N.C. Highway 12 south about 35 miles will take you to the Bodie Island Lighthouse turnoff. As you follow the winding road back through the swampy marshland you may wonder if this lighthouse will ever appear. Suddenly, you look up and there she stands – bold black and white bands reaching up 156 feet into the air. The Bodie Island Lighthouse is the third such structure to stand in the area. The first lighthouse, built in 1847, was so poorly constructed that it began to lean within two years of completion and was abandoned in 1859. The second lighthouse, though much better constructed, fared little better than its wobbly predecessor. Fearing that Union soldiers would use the 80-foot structure as an observation post, retreating Confederate soldiers blew it up.

Want to see more?

• The Outer Banks: Explore the Outer Banks of North Carolina
• Hilton Head Island: 3 Reasons You'll Love This Island off the Coast of South Carolina
• The Lighthouses of Traverse City: Sentinels of the Golden Coast of Michigan
• South Carolina's Seabrook Island: Magic Happens Near and in Charleston
• Check out our Article Library.
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