The Cape Lookout Lighthouse, as seen from the beach along the Core Sound. | Photo by Christian Phillips
Story by Christian Phillips
INTRO: “Built before the Civil War, this lighthouse behind me has kept a watchful eye over the dangerous shoals in the Atlantic Ocean just a few feet away. But now, the Cape Lookout Lighthouse is in need of our help, with a major project full of renovations set to get underway in just a few months.”
The Cape Lookout lighthouse was built on the eve of the Civil War in 1859, after Congress authorized funding for its construction due to the extreme dangers of the shoals underwater, located just off the island.
Ranger Nate Toering of the National Park Service is the Chief of Interpretation and Education for Cape Lookout.
TAKE SOT [Toering]: “We have a really early map, it dates to the 1500’s, called the White-Debry map, where they labeled the Cape Lookout shoals as Prometoriam Tremendum, which is roughly translated to “the horrible headland.” The first written records that we have of this place warn of the dangers.”
Now after over 160 years, the lighthouse is in need of some major repairs.
TAKE SOT [Toering]: “The whole top portion of the lighthouse is going to get disassembled and sent off to a foundry to get recast with new metal. For the first time since 1873 we are going to strip all of that paint off the exterior and repaint it …A lot of interior work as well…Pretty much every piece of the lighthouse will be touched in one way or another,” said Toering
The National Park Service does not currently know how much these repairs will cost, as some aspects of the project are still up for bidding. but the NPS hasn’t been shy in the past to spend money to save North Carolina’s lighthouses.
The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, located north of Cape Lookout, was picked up and moved over half a mile inland in 1999 at a cost of just over 11 million dollars.
But the visitors at Cape Lookout were supportive of the investment.
TAKE SOT [Park Guest]: “We loved it over there…It’s important to keep it. It’s our tax money well spent,” said David Flowers, a park guest.
Kelly Davis has been working and managing the Seaside General Store for 26 years on Harkers Island.
TAKE SOT [Davis]: “The lighthouse is definitely a beacon for the island people. Not that it isn’t for all people Down East, but the islanders take a lot of pride in that lighthouse,” said Davis.
And when asked about people who may be hesitant to spend money to fix the lighthouse.
TAKE SOT [Toering]: “I can see people thinking that it’s very expensive to maintain an old lighthouse; a lot of people will think that this lighthouse doesn’t get used…but it’s actually still classified as a navigational aid by the Coast Guard.”
TAKE SOT [Toering]: “I think that there is a compelling argument that it’s the iconic structure of Carteret County and this part of North Carolina. It’s on half the logos of the companies around here. You drive by houses and they have miniature lighthouses on their mailboxes. So, it’s a symbol of the community. It’s more than a navigational aid. It is a literal and figurative pillar of this community.
I’m Christian Phillips, reporting.
