Tower Prepared for Lift
May 20, 1999
Cheryl Roberts
UPDATE
HATTERAS ISLAND, NC

Photos courtesy Bruce Roberts

How the move will take place is really becoming apparent now. Main beams are being put in place with their hydraulic jacks. As the cross bracing is removed from the orange shoring towers, the seven main beams are threaded in between. These beams with their jacks will lift the lighthouse to allow roll beams to be put in place. Once the roll beams are in place, the slide will begin. Push jacks will push uniformly against the main beams from behind the lighthouse to move it to its new location and safety.

Lifting the tower takes 2-3 weeks. The most recent date for the slide to begin is the third week of June. The move process is not far behind schedule; most importantly, the process has progressed well and safely.

Both keepers quarters are on their new foundations and the recently poured lighthouse foundation awaits the tower at the relocation site.

Old Corolla Schoolhouse Preservation
May 4, 1999
Michelle Cassell
COROLLA, NC

It's a painstaking process, but one Doug Twiddy holds near to his heart - the renovation of a 100 year-old, one-room schoolhouse near the Currituck Beach Lighthouse. The preservation project began in January when Twiddy, a north beach realtor, purchased the decaying structure and it's grounds.

"It's important to me to do what I can to preserve the local history," said Twiddy. "Our children, grandchildren and visitors deserve to have actual landmarks where they can and get first-hand appreciation for Corolla's heritage."

Renovation is scheduled for completion by late June. (M. Cassell photo)

The project is proceeding smoothly, but slowly. The school's bell tower, with the original bell, was removed for restoration and the building has been elevated to allow for construction of a new foundation.

With the underpinnings of the old school now exposed, up-close inspection reveals a tale of pioneer-style ingenuity and resourcefulness. The rugged 19th century watermen who originally built the school, apparently used all the local resources they could find - including large timbers from shipwrecks that were plentiful along the shores at that time.

"You can see the old wooden pegs, and there's no mistaking these support beams were once part of a ship," said Contractor Jim Andrews of Kitty Hawk. "They even used old iron nails that were obviously salvaged off of the beach."

Other exciting finds have been an old chalkboard and the original beadboard, dating back to the late 1800's. "We've found old doors in recesses behind walls and some of the original shingles," said Andrews.

As it currently stands, the schoolhouse is painted red, but will be returned to its original white color with cedar shingles.

American ingenuity---Theses timbers were once part of some ill-fated sailing ships in the late 1800's. Outerbankers commonly made use of the ocean's salvage to build their homes and furniture. These support beams found under the Corolla Schoolhouse after it was raised for restoration, are a prime example. (M. Cassell photo)

According to newspaper archives, the Corolla school was built on land donated by a wealthy sportsman who owned considerable property in the area. The Currituck Sound at the turn of the century was an accessible stopping point along the Atlantic Flyway for millions upon millions of waterfowl, which logically popularized it with hunters. It became so popular, in fact, that the area was dubbed "Sportsman's Paradise" by the northern industrialists who found it to be the ideal location to build several exclusive hunt clubs.

The once scattered village of Corolla grew to 27 families at that time. Most villagers were employed as guides, or staff to support the affluent hunt club clientele. Others were sons and daughters of Coast Guardsmen and lighthouse keepers stationed at Currituck Beach. The opening of the school saved local children a 70-mile daily round-trip.

Depletion of the waterfowl population, changes in migration patterns and WWII, brought an end to the hunt club activity and a drop in Corolla's population.

Today, retired Corolla postmaster, Norris Austin, is the only surviving Corolla resident who is a former student. Norris was the fourth member of his family to attend the school, when he entered it in 1944. By 1955, when he graduated, the enrollment had dwindled to fifteen and finally just five students, according to records. It closed shortly thereafter.

Soon the bell on the Old Corolla Schoolhouse will chime again. But this time it won't be for students. Twiddy has not announced what plans they have in store for the schoolhouse facility.

In any case, it will add to the charm of Corolla Village, where Twiddy is restoring several other buildings that sit in the shadow of the Currituck Beach Lighthouse and are within walking distance to the historic Whalehead Club. The restorations should be completed by late June.

The Corolla Village project is the latest in a series of restorations by Twiddy. To date, he has restored the Kill Devil Hills Lifesaving Station, the Wash Woods Coast Guard Station, and the Old Duck Post Office. "It's more than a hobby for me, I'm deeply committed to preserving the past a much as I am to developing for the future,' said Twiddy.

Twiddy started his family real estate business in Duck more than 21 years ago and expanded in 1984 to open the first full-service real estate company in Corolla. Currently, Twiddy & Company ranks among the largest and most successful real estate employers on the north beach with more than 450 rental homes in its inventory.

Last Granite Moved
May 10, 1999
Cheryl Roberts
UPDATE
HATTERAS ISLAND, NC

On Wednesday May 5, 1999 at 12:46 PM, the last granite was removed from the Cape Hatteras foundation. The lighthouse now stands free of its rock foundation and rests on shoring towers; main beams with hydraulic jacks are being installed that will lift the tower. After lift, the roll beams, part of the transport system, will be installed. The lighthouse will slide on these roll beams to the new foundation. See May 4th Update for photos of the new foundation.

Photos courtesy National Park Service

This is the last of the 36 face stones of the granite plinth to be removed. (plinths 2-5 will move with the lighthouse)

Photos courtesy National Park Service

Removing this last granite leaves the lighthouse base free of its original foundation; work will proceed to install the lift system and then the transport system. Movers report work is proceeding well but they do each step with utmost concern for accuracy.

New Foundation Poured
May 4, 1999
Cheryl Roberts
UPDATE
HATTERAS ISLAND, NC

Photos courtesy National Park Service

The first photo shows the heavily steel reinforced form for the new foundation. Workers completed the form at 3 am Saturday and the cement trucks rolled in around 6 am. The season's only nor'easter was roaring, but workers continued!

Photos courtesy National Park Service

The Second photo illustrates that the pour was successful and the concrete is curing under a layer of wet burlap. The concrete pad is about 60 feet square and holds about 500 cubic yards of concrete... it is 4 feet thick. Another five feet of infill will be added after the tower "lands" on its new foundation to complete a sturdy, well footed foundation.

Photos courtesy National Park Service

The Third image gives a glimpse at the first main beam with hydraulic jacks, and the cross steel above, being installed. This is the first parts of the lift system being put in place.

Updated Schedule of Events
UPDATE
May 4, 1999
Cheryl Roberts

The new lighthouse site is an area of 3.1 acres surrounded by natural growth. The light of the lighthouse will gain an advantage at a new height to put the beacon out across Diamond Shoals. A Notice to Mariners for light-out was issued for March 1st.

May until early June: installation of the main beams with hydraulic jacks that will lift the tower. The next step will be to install the roll beams upon which the tower will move.

Around mid-June (could be a lttle earlier or a little later) the slide should begin. It can take up to six weeks, moving about 50 feet per day. This is now predicted to last until mid-August.

August until mid-September the tower will arrive at the new foundation, be lowered onto the concrete pad, all steel removed, and concrete infill to complete its new foundation will be done.

Phase 2 will begin and work on details including parking, utilities and such begins.

Memorial Day 2000 reopening is planned. Nothing specific has been announced, but a ceremony will likely be in order.

Sign Up for Lighthouse Society Announcements
Feb 1, 1999
Staff Report

The Outer Banks Lighthouse Society will update the progress of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse move throughout the Spring ... sign up to receive e-mail updates.