The Beautiful
Outer Banks Lighthouses

The Outer Banks Lighthouses are some of the most spectacular attractions we have explored while visiting the Outer Banks. These four lighthouses stand as beautiful symbols of the maritime history of our country.

These lighthouses are the result of the many years of ships being lost while navigating the treacherous North Carolina coastline. They remind us of the great loss of human life and ships along this stretch of the North Carolina coast. The waters along these barrier islands has become known as the "Graveyard of the Atlantic".

Michaela in front of the Ocracoke Lighthouse

To help with the navigation of the Outer Banks coast, the first lighthouse was built in 1796 on Hatteras Island, later being replaced by the taller Cape Hatteras Lighthouse.

In 1798, a second lighthouse was built at the lower end of Ocracoke Island. The Ocracoke Lighthouse was rebuilt in 1822 and still stands today as the second oldest lighthouse in the United States.

The Bodie Island Lighthouse became the third lighthouse in 1847 to start giving guidance to the passing ships sailing along the Outer Banks. Over the years, this lighthouse has been rebuilt and the one standing today is the third reconstruction.

In 1875, the Currituck Lighthouse was the last of the four lighthouses built on the Outer Banks. You will find this lighthouse is the only original lighthouse still standing after all these years of service.

I would like to mention a fifth lighthouse, the Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse. It stands today as a reproduction of the orginal lighthouse built in 1831 as a guide to help the ships navigate the inland waters of the Pamlico and Croatan Sounds. Even though this little lighthouse doesn't stand with the same grandeur as the other four lighthouses, it still maintains its rightful place in history as a guide to the passing ships.

I'm sure you will enjoy exploring the Outer Banks Lighthouses on your next family vacation to the Outer Banks.

If you would like to explore these lighthouses further, click on the links below.

Currituck Lighthouse

Bodie Island Lighthouse

Cape Hatteras Lighthouse

Ocracoke Lighthouse



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