Cape Hatteras Lighthouse stairs have been closed to climbers until further notice for repairs. [Posted September 12, 2001] Height of tower: 193 feet, 198 feet to *focal plane of lens (Tallest brick lighthouse in North America). Year Completed: 1870, Signal Distance: 19 **Nautical Miles, Signal Pattern: 1 white flash every 7.5 seconds. Number of steps in the lighthouse: 268. Located along Highway 12 south on Hatteras Island, the Cape Hatteras Light is the most recognized, photographed, painted, read about and admired lighthouse in North America and is a National Historic Landmark. The signature of America's maritime history, it is the symbol of the United States Lighthouse Service and a memorial to hundreds of caring professional men and women who made this coastline safer for venturing mariners and travelers. It is the signpost of the Graveyard of the Atlantic, where wrecked German U-boats lie next to Spanish galleons. The first tower was originally built in 1803. It fell short of mariners' expectations even after being heightened and fitted with a first-order Fresnel lens in 1854. A new tower was requested and money was appropriated by Congress to begin construction in 1868. Raising the focal plane to 180 feet in the new tower made the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse the tallest in the U.S. Its brand new first-order Fresnel lens made it an impressive structure helping to warn mariners of the dangerous Diamond Shoals. International Chimney, Inc. and their team of engineers successfully moved the Cape Hatteras Light Station 2,900 feet to the southwest of the original location, placing the tower 1,600 feet from the ocean’s edge on July 9, 1999. The light station was reset with the Principal and Double Keepers Quarters, brick oil house, sidewalks, and cisterns in the same relative position to one another as they were at the first site. Hydraulic jacks lifted the 4,400 ton lighthouse, supported it while en route, and lowered the structure onto a new 60-foot square concrete foundation. Brick conjoins the space between the underside of the tower and the concrete pad. Thanks to a newly patented hydraulic clamp, the push jacks, which gently pushed the lighthouse along travel beams, were released and reset quickly, allowing the move to be accomplished in only twenty-three days. Not long after the move was complete and with the newly laid brick foundation barely set, two hurricanes challenged the structural integrity of the lighthouse. The newly gained distance between the lighthouse and the ocean provided a protective buffer from lashing winds. Although great window damage occurred, the tower proved strong and able to withstand not only the rigors of the move process, but also the fury of a strong hurricane.

Phase II will be in progress between January and June 2000 by JHC Construction, Inc. of Brandy Station, Virginia. Phase II includes the construction of access roads, parking, walkways, restrooms, and information areas to facilitate the interpretation of the historic district for visitors. Electric, water, sewage, fire and security systems will also be installed. The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse re-opens for climbing Friday, May 26, and will remain open throughout the summer, although inclement weather (lightning or high winds) can close the lighthouse temporarily. National Park Service volunteers will assist climbers from 10:00 AM until 4:00 PM each day. Until grounds improvements are complete this summer, a path has been roped off through the woods to the light station grounds and leads to the front entryway of the lighthouse. During peak tourist season, prepare for a wait in order to climb; being in line at least one-half hour before closing time is recommended. There is no fee for climbing this year, but the light station becomes part of the fee demonstration program of the National Park Service in 2001. Next year, May 4,5,6, 2001, the Outer Banks Lighthouse Society and the National Park Service will cosponsor the Hatteras Keepers Descendants Homecoming. Other participants such as the U.S. Coast Guard and sponsors including Harbour Lights, the American Lighthouse Foundation, Lighthouse Depot/Digest, and Outer Banks businesses will help make this event a memorable reunion as well as an educational experience for the Keepers' descendants. As part of the homecoming event, the NPS is planning a two-hour program on Saturday evening, May 5, 2001, as a rededication ceremony for the Cape Hatteras Light Station. Watch for more details on these events at the official website of the Outer Banks Lighthouse Society. OBLHS is searching for Cape Hatteras Keepers' descendants. An oral history book will be published to commemorate the event and if you have information, please email hattkeep@outer-banks.com. For more information on programs and hours contact the National Park Service Headquarters at 252/473-2111 in Manteo, NC. The visitors center for the lighthouse is located in Buxton at the light station. For directions to North Carolina lighthouses and other Outer Banks destinations, see Outer Banks Directions. *focal plane is the height of the beam above average high water level **nautical mile is approximately 1.15 statute miles