*A photo of the lighthouse and I*
A CAPE IS CALLING...
This past weekend I went with my family over the the historical Cape Lookout Seashore. We toured the museum and took loads of pictures, all of which had much information about this place. Unfortunately, the lighthouse was closed and we were unable to get reservations to climb to the top. But we still had a blast just being there! The huge amounts of information included the lighthouse in general, who kept the lighthouse through all the years, when it was built the first and second time, and even the people that actually lived there!
The present tower that stands today was built in 1859. It became completely automated in 1950. Did you know that the light at the very top is visible for 19 MILES? I didn't, that is neat! Also, the lighthouse that still stands today played an important role in the Civil War. It served as a military base! Today, it is owned and operated by the Coast Guard.
Cape Lookout stands 163 feet tall with 269 steps leading to the top. It has black diamonds aligned north to south and white diamonds aligned east to west, which are used as a daytime navagation aid for incoming/outgoing ships.
There was once a city along the shore called Diamond City. Located in between Shackleford Banks and South Core Banks close to Barden Inlet, it was home to people who lived from the sea and held up to 500 people in it's time. This place was home to pilots, fishermen, rescuers of victoms from shipwrecks, and people just amazed by the sea surrounding them. Even though no one lives there now, Diamond City was a delightful home to every person.
*The first picture is me and the Museum, the second is me on the brick walkway to the lighthouse, and the third is me on the steps to the opening (throwing up a peace sign:P).*
The Museum was very informational. Inside it I learned that the person in charge of the lighthouse is called the "keeper"--and alongside of them was an assistant! Charlotte Ann Mason was announced assistant to her father in 1872. Usually, most female keepers are or were the widows/daughters of a man, and wore no uniform. Cape was home to vacationers and permanent residents both. I also found out that Shackleford is an extention of Cape Lookout.
Cape Lookout is one of 7 lighthouses in North Carolina. Those include Cape Hatteras, Bodie Island, Okracoke, Bald Head, Currituck, and Oak Island.
For more information that meets the eye, go to http://gorp.away.com/gorp/resource/us_ns/nc_clook.htm
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