Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse

The Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse is situated on Queen Elizabeth Avenue in Manteo, North Carolina, United States.

Location and Accessibility

The lighthouse was constructed in 1870 by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to serve as a navigational aid for mariners entering the Albemarle Sound and Pamlico Sound.

History

The tower's original design was intended to be a temporary structure, but it has stood the test of time.

Architecture

The Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse is a 90-foot (27 meters) tall, white-painted, square-towered lighthouse with a distinctive red lantern room.
The tower is constructed from cast iron and features a first-order Fresnel lens.
The building's design was influenced by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' standard lighthouse design.

Current Status

The Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse is no longer an active aid to navigation, having been automated in 1969.

It has been converted into a museum and is operated by the National Park Service as part of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore.

Heritage Status

The lighthouse was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.

Notable Historical Events

In 1922, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers replaced the original Fresnel lens with a new, more efficient design.
The lighthouse also played a role in the construction of the Cape Hatteras Jetties, which were built to stabilize the shoreline and prevent erosion.