wade point lighthouse (the pasquotank river lighthouse)

Wade Point LighthouseWade Point Lighthouse(The Pasquotank River Lighthouse)(The Pasquotank River Lighthouse)

North Carolina's broad intracoastal waterways once had a lighthouse system almost as extensive as that of the Chesapeake Bay. Many of the lighthouses that marked the Pamlico Sound, Albemarle Sound, and other Carolina coastal waters were screw-pile lighthouses not unlike those found in the Chesapeake. One of these open-water structures was the Wade's Point Station, completed in 1859. Located in Albemarle Sound, it stood on five heavily braced iron legs anchored to the bottom by piles.

America's lighthouses had few friends during the Civil War. Many were damaged or destroyed by the Confederates who had less to gain from a well-marked coast. However, the Wade's Point Light is said to have been burned by Union forces. Rebuilt following the war, it served mariners until 1955 when the Coast Guard extinguished its light. Later, the building was sold to a private contractor who tried to bring it ashore on a barge. Unfortunately, the old lighthouse fell off the barge and sank.

Laurel Point LighthouseLaurel Point Lighthouse(The Albemarle Sound Lighthouse)(The Albemarle Sound Lighthouse)

Among the last screw-pile light stations put in place to mark North Carolina's extensive intracoastal waterways, the Laurel Point Lighthouse was completed in 1880. Like most other such lighthouses, it consisted of a wooden keeper's dwelling with a lantern on its roof. Its modest light helped guide vessels through narrow, winding channels of the Albemarle Sound. The Coast Guard removed the lighthouse during the mid-20th century.

Roanoke Marshes Roanoke Marshes LighthouseLighthouse

Many of North Carolina's intracoastal lighthouses were screw-pile structures much like those on the Chesapeake Bay. The state's first screw-pile lighthouse marked the Roanoke Marshes to the south of Albemarle Sound. Completed in 1857, the wooden residence had a small lantern on its roof and stood on braced iron legs. Its light had a focal plane 33 feet above high water. It guided vessels through a narrow channel leading up the sound to Edenton. The Roanoke Marshes Station was deactivated and removed by the Coast Guard during the mid-20th century.

Roanoke River LighthouseRoanoke River Lighthouse

North Carolina's broad Albemarle Sound reaches far inland linking Edenton and other communities with the state's giant system of waterways. Recognizing the importance of the sound to fishing boats and freighters, the government placed a lightship here as early as 1835. In 1867, a screw-pile lighthouse took over the task of marking the sound. Destroyed by ice in 1885, it was soon replaced by the existing two-story wooden structure. The station was deactivated in 1941. Although the old lighthouse still exists, it was long ago lifted from its screw piles and moved ashore for use as a private residence. Today, it is the only surviving example of a North Carolina screw-pile lighthouse.

The lighthouse is best seen from the water, but can be seen from across the canal as well. Drive to Edenton on US 17. From 17, exit onto 32 toward the downtown historic district. Drive all the way to the waterfront, and turn right on Water Street. This road curves around. Take the first left on Blount Street. This road becomes Pembroke Circle. Drive slowly to the end of the circle and look ahead. There is no off-street parking.

Croatan Shoal LighthouseCroatan Shoal Lighthouse

A typical screw-pile structure, this open water lighthouse was attacked and burned by Confederate raiders during the Civil War. Rebuilt during the 1860s, it served mariners for almost a century before being deactivated and dismantled by the Coast Guard.

Diamond Shoals LighthouseDiamond Shoals Lighthouse

Few navigational hazards along any North American coast can rank with Diamond Shoals as a threat to shipping. No one knows how many vessels have been lost there over the centuries, but the number would be staggering if it were known. Although powerful, the beacon from nearby Cape Hatteras has never provided adequate warning for vessels approaching the shoals.

To warn mariners, a light lightship was stationed near Diamond Shoals in 1824, but it was destroyed by a fierce gale just three years later. A second lightship was placed on station here in 1897. A German submarine sank it during World War I. It was replaced by a third vessel, known as the "Diamond," which served until the existing open-water light station was established in 1967. A so-called "Texas-tower" type structure it stands about 13 miles off Cape Hatteras. Its beacon has been automated since 1977.

Frying Pan Shoal LighthouseFrying Pan Shoal Lighthouse

A "Texas tower" style navigational aid, the Frying Pan Shoal light warns ships away from an open-ocean obstacle lying more than 30 miles southeast of Cape Fear. The square tower is 118 feet tall, and its light remains in operation.

How do the Texas Towers How do the Texas Towers look?look?

Layout of a Texas Tower…..Layout of a Texas Tower…..So named because of structural similarities with oilrigs, Texas towers made their appearance along the coast beginning in the 1960s. In recent years, however, the cost of construction and maintenance has led to the Coast Guard' s more frequent use of massive navigational buoys. In fact, the few Texas towers that remain are scheduled to be dismantled sometime in the near future.

Neuse River LighthouseNeuse River Lighthouse

On of many screw-pile lighthouses built in North Carolina during the nineteenth century, this one marked the entrance to the Neuse River. The station consisted of a wooden residence with a rooftop lantern. During the mid-20th century, it was closed down and removed by the Coast Guard.

Pamlico Point Shoal Pamlico Point Shoal LighthouseLighthouseThere is no information on this lighthouse, only this There is no information on this lighthouse, only this photograph remains.photograph remains.

Prices Creek LightPrices Creek Light

Little remains of the Price's Creek Lighthouse but a ruined brick tower. Forgotten for many years, the old tower was rediscovered during the 1980s. Although only 20-feet tall and out of service since the Civil War, this cracked and weathered structure tower is actually more interesting and historic than it appears. It was one of half a dozen small navigational towers erected along the Cape Fear River during the 1840s. By making the river's winding channel easier to negotiate, the lights helped link the bustling port of Wilmington with the sea. These river light stations were severely damaged or destroyed during the Civil War, either by neglect or by direct military action. Most were never rebuilt.

Visitors who ride the car ferry from Southport to Fort Fisher get a clear view of the Price's Creek Lighthouse. To reach the landing, follow 211 into downtown Southport, then take a left on Moore Street. Stay on this road until you see signs for the Fort Fisher Ferry. From Wilmington, take the road that leads to Carolina Beach all the way to its very end. Turn right into the Fort Fisher Ferry Terminal. Passengers pay a nominal fee for the ferry ride if traveling by car.

• 162-foot brick 162-foot brick tower tower

• 18741874

• By 1818, it had By 1818, it had been replaced by been replaced by the existing 100-the existing 100-foot octagonal foot octagonal masonry structure. masonry structure.

• Lightening Lightening destroyed the destroyed the station's first station's first lighthouse in 1818. lighthouse in 1818. Five years later it Five years later it was replaced by a was replaced by a 65-foot conical 65-foot conical brick tower brick tower

• 156-foot tower 156-foot tower

• Completed in 1859Completed in 1859

• 170-foot brick 170-foot brick tower tower

• Completed in 1872Completed in 1872

• 193-foot brick 193-foot brick tower was in place tower was in place by 1870, the by 1870, the United States' United States' tallest lighthouse.tallest lighthouse.

• tower was in place tower was in place by 1870, the by 1870, the United States' United States' tallest lighthouse. tallest lighthouse.