During summer 2007, the Roanoke River Lighthouse, the only North Carolina river/sound light in existence, was relocated to the town's waterfront Colonial Park. It sat patiently awaiting funds for its restoration, and help arrived in the form of $1.2 million in stimulus money. The Edenton Historical Commission has been steward since then, but the lighthouse is slated to become state-owned. This rare structure will add to the historically valuable area that includes the 1767 Chowan Courthouse. This town is just made for walking, and the added charm of a historic, original sound light will delight many future visitors. This is the last square-sided, screwpile lighthouse still in existence in the United States. The Edenton Historical Commission paid $225,000 to purchase the structure and an additional $75,000 to have it moved. This small, forgotten 1880s lighthouse originally sat on pilings in Albemarle Sound, marking the Roanoke River entrance near Plymouth. The lighthouse is an intact, original U.S. Lighthouse Service structure having two stories with the lantern room just above roof level over the second floor. There is a living room, kitchen, dining room, and workroom on the first floor, plus the original outdoor privy that once sat over the water. Upstairs are two bedrooms and a stairway to the lantern room with a Fresnel lens that was pieced together by the late Emmett Wiggins. When the U.S. Coast Guard was getting rid of these antiquated sound markers during the 1950s, Wiggins rescued the structure and successfully moved it to a manmade spit in Edenton. Very soon, it will be restored to its best appearance. Photos by Robert DaVia