News Release

Cape Lookout Lighthouse Celebrates 160 Years with Free Climbs

Date: October 25, 2019
Contact: B.G. Horvat, 252-838-8906

HARKERS ISLAND, NC – Cape Lookout National Seashore announces a free day of lighthouse climbing on November 1, 2019, in commemoration of the 160^th Anniversary of the iconic Crystal Coast beacon.

A Historic Look Back…

On the evening of November 1, 1859, Lighthouse Keeper, John Royal, climbed the 216 steps to the lantern carrying a 5-gallon container of whale oil. Carefully, stepping inside the giant glass lens, Keeper Royal trimmed the lamp wicks and filled the lamp. Then, exactly at sunset, Keeper Royal lit the lamp and the new Cape Lookout Lighthouse shone its light out to sea for the first time.

Built following the new standard plans for tall, brick tower lighthouses, Cape Lookout Lighthouse was the first of this style to be constructed along this coast. As more towers of similar style were built along our coast following the end of the Civil War, it became necessary to add distinctive ‘day marks’ so ships at sea could tell the towers apart during the day. The black and white diamond pattern, was added in 1873.

As technology advanced, the lighthouse upgraded its inner workings to take advantage of these changes. The light source went from lamps using whale oil to lamps using kerosene, and finally to light bulbs and electricity. The last technological change was from light bulbs to solar panels and LED bulbs in 2017.

For 160 years, the Cape Lookout Lighthouse has faithfully warned ships of their location near Cape Lookout Shoals.

Explore the Past on November 1^st

Free public climbing (first come, first serve) will take place from 10:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. EDT. Children joining the climb must be at least 44-inches tall and able to climb the steps on their own.  Children 12 years of age and younger must be accompanied by an adult (16 or older). Footwear is required as well.
Ferry service is provided by the park’s authorized concessioner, Island Express Ferry Service, according to their fall ferry schedule. Check with the ferry for departure times, and fees by calling 252-728-7433, or go to their website (islandexpressferryservice.com) for more information.

For more details on Cape Lookout National Seashore, and this event, go to: https://go.nps.gov/celebrate.