A short 3 mile boat ride from Harkers Island or Beaufort brings you to the three barrier islands of Cape Lookout National Seashore. In two previous blogs, I’ve taken you to the northernmost island, Portsmouth, and to the southernmost island, Shackleford where horse watching, shelling, fishing, birding, camping and touring historic villages are among the activities available to everyone. This episode is all about Core Banks, home of Cape Lookout Lighthouse. In the lighthouse area you can sunbathe on the beach, swim in the ocean, tour the Keeper's Quarters Museum, visit the Light Station Visitor Center, or climb the lighthouse.
Swimming is a popular activity at Cape Lookout National Seashore, especially in the summer when water temperatures can reach 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Please be aware that there are no lifeguards on any of the beaches at Cape Lookout National Seashore. Swimming in the ocean is not like swimming in a lake or pond. Currents, tide changes, winds, waves, and other factors should be considered when choosing if and where to swim. Before going in the water, spend a few moments watching the waves. Wave patterns are good indicators of the presence of currents, sand bars, and deep water troughs. Always swim with a buddy. Children should swim only with adult supervision. Watch the weather: it can change quickly on these barrier islands. Don't swim during thunderstorms; lightning is extremely dangerous and does strike the beach and water. Check for Rip Current advisories at a park visitor center or on NOAA's beach forecast. Do not jump or dive from the docks at any tide height. The water may be shallower than you think and barnacles attached to the dock pilings can cut your hands and feet. For these reasons, the water around the passenger ferry dock in the lighthouse area is closed to swimmers. The closed area is marked with rope and buoys. And, be alert for boats coming in to anchor, they may not see you in the water.
If swimming seems a tad daunting, I recommend that you take time to explore the lighthouse area. While the lighthouse was and is a central part of any light station, many other structures were vital to its operation. From housing for keepers to storage for fuel, these ancillary buildings allowed for smooth operation of the lighthouse and helped ensure that the beacon would be ready to warn mariners away from dangerous waters. You can visit the Lighthouse visitors center located on the boardwalk leading to and from the ferry dock. It is open seasonally, daily from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm. Inside you will find informational materials, a bookstore, restrooms, outdoor rinse off area, shade shelter, first aid, and wheelchair rental.
Evidence of the Keeper’s house is visible, if you know where to look. Part of the foundation of the first Keeper’s quarters can be seen on a sand dune in the lighthouse area. A second Keeper’s quarters was constructed in 1873. Today, this Keepers' Quarters serves as a museum, giving visitors a glimpse into the lives of Lighthouse Keepers and Surfmen of the US Life-Saving Service. The museum is open from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, seven days a week during the spring, summer, and fall. In response to a need for more housing, a third Keeper's Quarters was built in 1907. It housed the primary Keeper and his family from the fall of 1907 until the tower was automated in 1950. Although the house is brown today, it was white washed in historic photos. In 1957, the house was deemed surplus and sold to Dr. Graham Barden, Jr., which is why it is also called the Barden House. Barden moved the house 1.1 miles southwest of the lighthouse to the Cape Lookout Village. This building is currently closed to the public.
A brick cistern was built around the time of the 1907 Keeper's Quarters. Rainwater was funneled from the gutters on the house and filled the cistern with fresh water. Soon after this cistern was built, cisterns were added to both sides of the 1873 Keepers' Quarters. Prior to that, the keepers got their water from a shallow well. All three cisterns remain today, but they are no longer in use.
The lighthouse required a large amount of oil to keep it burning. But, oil couldn't be stored in the lighthouse, because a single spark could ignite a fire or explosion. So, oil was stored in a separate structure. The first was made of iron and built in 1897. In the 1930s, that structure was replaced with a concrete oil house that is open today. Visitors should use caution when entering the shed as the floor is uneven and may contain debris from the structure.
Before air conditioning, cooking indoors during the summer made a house very hot. To solve this problem and to reduce the fire danger for the homes, a summer kitchen was built for the Head Lighthouse Keeper and his family. This summer kitchen was built with an attached woodshed. In the late 1930s, the building was converted to house the generator and batteries for the radio beacon. Today, this building is used as storage and is closed to the public.
Then, there is the lighthouse, itself. Unfortunately, the Cape Lookout Lighthouse is closed for climbing this year. During a pre-season safety inspection in February 2021, engineers discovered serious concerns with some structural elements. To address these issues and other needed repairs, a major renovation of Cape Lookout Lighthouse began in the fall/winter of 2021. Renovations expect to take two years to complete. When the lighthouse reopens in the year 2023 (exact date to be determined) -- the following information can help you plan for a visit to the lighthouse. The Cape Lookout Lighthouse is generally open for climbing from the third week in May to the third weekend in September. During the season the lighthouse is open for climbing Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The Lighthouse is closed for climbing on Monday and Tuesday. However, the lighthouse is open on two Mondays, Memorial Day and Labor Day for climbing. Tickets are required. Regular admission is $10 with reduced fees for children, seniors and visitors with permanent disabilities. Tickets may be purchased from WEDNESDAY through SUNDAY at the Light Station Visitor Center during the hours of operation. Tickets are sold on a first come / first served basis. Each ticket is good only for the date and time stamped on the ticket. Ticket holders should arrive at the lighthouse 10 minutes before their scheduled climb. Tickets will not be refunded for late arriving guests. The safety limit of 10 people in the upper levels of the lighthouse was established by engineers after they examined the structure. The climb to the top is strenuous. It may be hot, humid, noisy and dim inside the lighthouse. Climbing the 207 steps to the gallery is roughly equal to climbing a 12-story building. The stairs are narrow and groups going up will share the stairs with groups returning to the bottom. Visitors with heart, respiratory, or other medical conditions -- or those who have trouble climbing stairs -- should probably not attempt the climb. Visitors who do not wish to climb can view the four outside "View from the Top" exhibits located near the lighthouse Keepers' Quarters, the panorama located in the Keepers' Quarters Museum, and online panoramas. Shoes are required of all climbers and every climber must be at least 44 inches tall. One last thing: Be sure to bring all the food, water, and supplies you need (and carry your trash out of the park) when visiting these remote beaches that comprise the Cape Lookout National Seashore. To learn more about the Cape Lookout National Seashore, go to my website, www.EmeraldIsleHomesforSaleNC.com and sign up for my blog. Ready to buy or sell? Call me at 919-308-2292. Explore the video tab for my weekly uploads to my YouTube channel. Subscribe to my YouTube channel and receive free donuts at my Flip Flops Donut shop. Text your email address to 919-308-2292 and subscribe to my newsletter. My book, "Live Where You Vacation" is available on Amazon.com or at Kindle.
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