Iconic Cape Hatteras Lighthouse: 10 Fun Facts!
Cape Hatteras Lighthouse
Lighthouses have always been a part of my life especially living down by the ocean during my military career. Each lighthouse has it's own story and history behind them. This lighthouse Cape Hatteras located on the east coast shores of the Outer Banks of North Carolina. This incredible lighthouse is the most famous one in the Outer Banks showing off it's iconic black and white spiral stripe markings. Cape Hatteras is also known being the tallest brick lighthouse in the United States. This beautiful sunrise with sea grass in the foreground made this a stunning image of this iconic lighthouse.
Cape Hatteras is located on the Outer Banks of North Carolina and is part of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Cape Hatteras is the tallest brick lighthouse in North America standing at 198.49 feet. It was built in 1870 to protect the ships sailing along one of the most hazardous sections of the Atlantic Coast.
Offshore of Cape Hatteras, the Gulf Stream collides with the Virginia Drift. These water currents force ships into a dangerous twelve-mile long sandbar called Diamond Shoals. Hundreds and possibly thousands of shipwrecks in this area have given it the reputation as the Graveyard of the Atlantic by sea mariners.
See Joe Garza's full collection of light house images to see Cape Hatteras and more American Lighthouse photos!
10 Interesting & Fun Facts About Cape Hatteras Lighthouse
- How far away is Cape Hatteras visible? The official range is 24 nautical miles (a nautical mile is 6,080 feet). At night, most vessels in clear weather can see the lighthouse from up to 20 nautical miles at sea.
- The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse has 257 steps from the ground to the balcony level, which is equal to climbing a 12-story building.
- Cape Hatteras is the most famous lighthouse in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. It resembles a black and white candy cane.
- In 1999 in order to protect and save the brick structure from soon falling into the ocean, the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse was moved about 1,500 feet inland. This is where the lighthouse currently rests. This project took engineers just 23 days to complete, an impressive feat!
- One of the reasons Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is so well-known is that it is the tallest brick lighthouse in the United States and the second tallest in the world.
- It took 1,250,000 bricks to construct the incredible landmark of Cape Hatteras Lighthouse.
- Cape Hatteras is not the only lighthouse on North Carolina's Outer Banks. Cape Hatteras is 43 miles south from Bodie Island Lighthouse, 53 miles south from Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse, 84 miles south of Currituck Beach Lighthouse, and 36 miles north of Ocracoke Island Lighthouse.
- The weight of Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is approximately 4,830 tons, which is equivalent to about 1,200 elephants.
- Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is a must to see for any lighthouse lover. This is my most favorite lighthouse. Located in the outer banks of North Carolina along the shores of the Atlantic ocean this iconic lighthouse with it's semi-unique white and black spiral pattern is easy to recognize. This lighthouse stands at 198' tall and was opened in 1870.
Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is a must to see for any lighthouse lover. This is my most favorite lighthouse. Located in the outer banks of North Carolina along the shores of the Atlantic ocean this iconic lighthouse with it's semi-unique white and black spiral pattern is easy to recognize. This lighthouse stands at 198' tall and was opened in 1870.
The iconic Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is my favorite lighthouse and is a privilege to capture. Located in the outer banks of North Carolina along the shores of the Atlantic ocean, the black and white candy cane stripe pattern is easy to recognize and is a must see for any lighthouse lover!
Cape Hatteras Lighthouse Images | Black and White Lighthouse Photography
Cape Hatteras Light is a lighthouse located on Hatteras Island in the Outer Banks in the town of Buxton, North Carolina and is part of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. The lighthouse’s semi-unique candy cane pattern makes it easy to recognize and famous. Standing at 193' it's the largest standing lighthouse in the county. This is where my love started for lighthouses and brings back great memories of my military days. This image would make a awesome gift for any lighthouse lover.
