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Curritunk Beach Light
The Currituck Beach Light is a lighthouse located on the Outer Banks in Corolla, North Carolina. It is located between Cape Henry Light to the north in Virginia and Bodie Island Light to the south.
On 01 December, 1875, the Currituck Beach light was completed and placed into service. Unlike its fellows, Currituck Beach Light was not painted, leaving its brick facade visible. In 1939, the lighthouse was automated following a merger of the United States Coast Guard with the Bureau of Lighthouses.
Since 1980 through private funding and volunteer workers, the Outer Banks Conservationists (OBC) has performed much of the reconstruction and refurbishing work on the light. Since 1991 visitors have been allowed to climb the original 220 steps to the outdoor gallery.
However, access to the lens room is not permitted as the first order lens is not only the original lens, but it is still a functioning one. The light comes on every night and shines from the elevation of 158 feet at 20-second intervals to warn ships hugging the chain of barrier islands along the coast.
In 2003, ownership was granted to OBC by the federal government, after which, the Currituck County sued OBC to try to acquire the lighthouse but the case was settled in 2006 and OBC remains the owner of the lighthouse and property.
Year Construction Began:
03 March 1873
Original Cost to Build:
$140,000.00
Year Construction Complete:
01 December 1875
Year First Lit:
01 December 1875
Year Automated
1939
Tower Height from Base:
162 feet
Number of Steps:
220
Lens Order:
First-order Fresnel Lens
Lens Range
18 nautical miles, 21 miles
Lens Elevation
158 feet
Light Character:
20 second flash cycle, 3 seconds on, 17 seconds off.
Tower Markings:
Unpainted, visible brick outside
Coordinates:
36.376667, -75.830833
Foundation Elevation
Best View From:
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