obx beacons of the coast

Five lighthouses and five stories of the OBX beacons of the coast.

Each of the lighthouses that line the coast of the Outer Banks has its own tale to tell. Michelle Wagner, reporting for OBX Beach Access, weaves a bit of the story of the beacons of the shore into a wonderful piece of writing.

Bodie Island Lighthouse, completed in 1872, was built to the same plans as Cape Hatteras Light.
Bodie Island Lighthouse, completed in 1872, was built to the same plans as Cape Hatteras Light.

“If I stand along the shores of Colington Island on a clear night, I can see the light from Bodie Island Lighthouse flash across the dark sky above the Albemarle Sound. Reaching 19 nautical miles, the 1,000-watt First order Fresnel lens turns on for 2.5 seconds, off for 2.5 seconds, and on again – then comes the 22.5-second break.

Two cycles per minute.

On. Off. On. Off.

I search for the light every time I’m there – and I know I’m not the only one.”

 

[box type=”bio”] Each of he lighthouses of the Outer Banks have their own story. Find out more at OBX Beach Access.[/box]