Last visited: 11/2022
We stayed at Barrier Island Station
As part of the National Park System, the Hatteras Lighthouse is free to access the grounds, but may incur a charge to climb. NOTE: THE LIGHTHOUSE IS CLOSED FOR RENOVATIONS UNTIL APPROXIMATELY 2025. THIS IS ALSO A SEA TURTLE NESTING GROUND, SO BE CAREFUL TO FOLLOW THE RULES SO THAT THESE ENDANGERED ANIMALS ARE NOT HURT
The Hatteras Lighthouse is cool because of its laid back easy attitude along with the awesome lighthouse. In 1999, the lighthouse was moved about 1,500 feet inland because it was getting ready to fall in to the ocean! It was cut from its original foundation, put onto wheels and slowly...very slowly...moved to its new location. Eventually, they assume that it will once again need to be moved as the shoreline eventually erodes, which is the lot of a barrier island. It is the tallest brick lighthouse in America, and the second tallest in the world! It was almost destroyed by Southern troops during the Civil War, but was saved by Union troops, even though they stole the Fresnel light. This is not the original lighthouse, but the second go around, built in 1870. The original was destroyed in 1871. Find more information here: https://www.nps.gov/caha/index.htm
The National Seashore is a beautiful, and mostly clean beach to visit. You can still find wildlife roaming, including this little friend, and pelicans. Access by car is only allowed with permits from the park service. Fishing is great along the Outer Banks, and you will find diehards out early in the morning until after sundown.
One of the coolest things about this area, is the small graveyard for the British soldiers that have lost their lives off the coast of Hatteras during WWII. It is maintained by British volunteers who visit once a year to pay respects and give remembrance. Remember that Nazi U-boats were patrolling these waters, and both American and British forces lost a great number of ships to them during this time.
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