However, restoration work that began January 2010 was halted in August because the initial amount of $3.09 million was not enough to complete all needed repairs. Further damage was found at the lantern room level.

The park stated, " All but one of the ornate struts [brackets] that support the balcony were found to have significant structural cracks. We brought in a NPS engineer to assess the cracks and determined that they would have to be addressed, or we would not be able to open the lighthouse up again for public climbing."

The lighthouse sat patiently waiting for more workers to arrive and repairs to begin again. A storm ripped up the N. C. coast just prior to Labor Day 2011 and tore the protective covering off the lantern room and flooded the keepers' quarters. The tower remained quiet with the tatters flapping in the wind 165 feet in the air. The park searched for more money.

"We knew that the restoration work would only be able to resume when we obtained the additional funding," said Cyndy Holda, Cape Hatteras National Seashore's Public Affairs Specialist. "So we asked for help from our Congressional representatives. Recently, with the support of Senator Burr, Senator Hagan, and Congressman Jones, the funding request was approved and Congress appropriated the funds we needed to start phase two of the project."

The exact amount for "Phase two" was not revealed, but it is in excess of $1 million, a third of the original amount already spent. Work is beginning and is predicted to be complete in October 2012, but there are many variables that could affect the timing of this. Meanwhile, the Bodie Island Visitor Center, which contains an Eastern National bookstore within the repaired double keepers' quarters has reopened. It is open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The nature trail and boardwalk near the lighthouse are also open; this is a beautiful perspective of the entire light station that is not to be missed.

The Outer Banks Lighthouse Society will plan a homecoming for Bodie Island Lighthouse keepers' direct descendants in spring 2013 in partnership with the NPS and other organizations. Stay tuned for updates. Email BOLD@outer-banks.com.

©2012 Cheryl Shelton-Roberts and Bruce Roberts for the Outer Banks Lighthouse Society; photos courtesy of Cheryl Shelton-Roberts, Diana Chappell, and Bruce Roberts. In print April 2010 Bodie Island Lighthouse: Its History and Restoration as well as North Carolina Lighthouses: Stories of History and Hope by Globe Pequot Press, 2011 by Cheryl Shelton-Roberts and Bruce Roberts.