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Cape Lookout Lighthouse Celebrates 160 Years With Free Climbs

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By NPT Staff - October 28th, 2019

Take advantage of the Cape Lookout light's 160th birthday by climbing to the top for free on November 1/NPS file

One-hundred-and-sixty years after a bucket of whale oil was used to ignite the warning beacon of the Cape Lookout light, the National Park Service is celebrating that event by opening the lighthouse for free to all who want to climb to the top and take in the sweeping view.

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 the Outer Banks of North Carolina. As more towers of similar style were built along the 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 painted on the exterior of the Cape Lookout light 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 at Cape Lookout National Seashore has faithfully warned ships of their location near Cape Lookout Shoals.

Free public climbing (first come, first serve) will take place November 1 from 10 a.m. to 4 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.

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