The story of our tower begins in 1873. Congress appropriates funding for a lighthouse into the far reaches of coastal northeastern North Carolina; the beacon was to light the last 40 mile-dark stretch of the East Coast, between Cape Henry, Virginia and Bodie Island Light in North Carolina.
And just as significantly, the Currituck Beach Lighthouse was the last large lighthouse tower constructed on the Outer Banks. By its completion in December 1875, its beams stretched 18 nautical miles, its shine stewarded by loyal keepers.
Lighthouse Keepers in Corolla, North Carolina
Over two dozen families stayed in the Currituck Beach Lighthouse duplex Keepers’ Dwelling since its completion, fighting the elements of an isolated barrier island system, protecting the Lighthouse compound, and ensuring the light was always on, always rotating. The history is rich, dynamic, and still alive today.
Want to learn everything about the Keepers who were stationed at the Currituck Beach Lighthouse since the beginning? We have a book about it – free to you, and full of incredible stories.
Free Download of “To Illuminate the Dark Space”Currituck Beach Lighthouse Timeline
At Morris Island, S.C. "Major Hains noted [in reference to the Morris Island Lighthouse, a sister lighthouse of the Currituck Beach Lighthouse in size and construction techniques] ...'more careful estimate places the weight [of the tower] at 3,200 tons.' He increased the size of the base to 22 feet, driving…
Read More
It is a "fixed white light, varied by red flash every 90 seconds."
The "graphic representation" is shown in the Currituck Beach Lighthouse at the 1876 Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia.
Lighthouse Keeper Nathaniel Burris cared for the shipwrecked, by his firsthand account: "I furnished food and shelter for sixty-one persons that night, and for about seventy-six for breakfast and dinner; also sheltered them that night and gave them a breakfast the following morning (Saturday). They left at noon for the…
Read More
Now named the "Little Keeper's House", this building was moved to the Currituck Beach Lighthouse compound in 1920. The system of lighting beacons by compressed gas is first introduced.
The new lamp – a Heat Moderator Lamp has 5 wicks instead of 4 with the Funck's Hydraulic Float Lamp.
The place as we know it today, Corolla, is officially named.
The Currituck Beach Lighthouse Keeper's request to build a schoolhouse in Corolla is recommended for approval.
The Assistant Keeper's Dwelling (now named the "Little Keeper's House" in the Currituck Beach Lighthouse Compound) is barged from Long Point to Currituck Beach.
Keeper William Riley Austin describes his duties as a Keeper, by stating the number of hours working the position per day. The average was 15 hours per day, and 105 hours per week.
Historical records state: "The Coast Guard worked for two hours in an endeavor to resuscitate her, without success. The body was taken to Corolla for interment."
"Enters on duty at 12:00 midnight, inspects working condition of light and machinery, relieves man on duty and takes over responsibility of watch until sunrise. Machinery that runs lens to be wound every three hours, at sunrise extinguishes light, put on lens cover, draw off remaining oil in oil tank,…
Read More
The Keepers assist workmen to install generators and the clockwork and bullseye are removed from the lantern.
Coinjock Lighthouse Reservation Keeper Bill Tate (who answered the Wright Brothers' letter decades earlier when he was the Kitty Hawk postmaster) takes over Currituck Beach Lighthouse duties. "…by planning his trips, the shorter run can usually be made, in approximately 3 hours time round trip. In order to charge the…
Read More
U.S. Coast Guard assumes responsibility for all national lighthouses, taking over for the (now-defunct) Bureau of Light-Houses.
As such, the site is not maintained and begins its transition into disrepair. Plans were made to update the Keepers' Dwelling, although the repairs never took place, due to abandonment.
The State of North Carolina paid $3,000 for "muskrat experimentation and research, recreational, or other public purposes…"
The Currituck Beach Lighthouse is entered into the National Register of Historic Places.
With plans to restore the 1876 Keepers' Dwelling, the group enters into a long-term lease with the State of North Carolina.
The storehouse, which was moved down the road into Corolla Village around 1960, returns to the Currituck Beach Lighthouse site. Today, it is used as an administrative office.
Extensive repairs and renovations begin on the Currituck Beach Lighthouse Keepers' Dwelling and tower in 1990. For major restoration work on the tower, Outer Banks Conservationists hired International Chimney Corporation beginning in 1999. Larger tasks over the decades have included: lead paint removal, masonry repair, iron repair, rust removal, re-painting,…
Read More
The deed for Currituck Beach Lighthouse is transferred to Outer Banks Conservationists by the Department of the Interior.
The Currituck Beach Lighthouse remains open to the public 7 days per week during the season, which runs mid-March – December. Outer Banks Conservationists, Inc. continues to maintain and complete all preservation work on the tower, and all structures within the Lighthouse compound.
Lighthouse Quick Facts
When the lighthouse was first illuminated
When the lighthouse was automated
Average length of the self-guided climb (but take as much time as you’d like!)
Steps to the top
Number of landings for viewing and resting
Approximate number of bricks in the lighthouse
Height of the lighthouse from the ground to the top
How much the lighthouse weighs. That’s 3,000 tons!
