History Bodie Island Lighthouse

bodie island lighthouse , keeper s quarters

the preceding bodie island lighthouses stood south of oregon inlet on pea island in area under water due southward migration of inlet. first built in 1847 , abandoned in 1859 due poor foundation. second, built in 1859, destroyed in 1861 retreating confederate troops feared used union observation post during civil war. third , current lighthouse, original first order fresnel lens, completed in 1872. lighthouse built further north , further inland on 15-acre site. in 1932, bodie island lighthouse became automated (and light upgraded electric lamp using oil-fueled electrical generators), , 1953 had been transferred care of national park service. remained manned until 1940, when lighthouse automated. in 1953, generators disconnected , power supplied commercial electric grid.

while people (including north carolinians not outer banks) pronounce name long o sound, traditionally pronounced body. folklore have believe due number of dead sailors washed ashore wrecked ships along portion of east coast, has long been known graveyard of atlantic not true. name derived original name of area, bodie s island after body family once owned land separate barrier island prior 1811 when roanoke inlet separated currituck banks north closed. local gift shops sell maps of shipwrecks on ocean floor. impressive array of ships have been sunk due storms, shoals, , german u-boats during world war , world war ii. lighthouse appears in background of 1963–1964 federal duck stamp.

after years of raising funds , postponement, work restore cast iron , other parts in need of work began on lighthouse in august 2009. of march 2010, outside scaffolding 100% complete while interior scaffolding 50% completed. restoration stopped in spring 2011 after significant new structural integrity issues found in many of main support beams under balcony. additional repairs needed costly finish in original restoration project. in august, 2011 hurricane irene blew out of newly restored lantern room glass , tore away protective shroud covering lantern room. flooding caused buckling of floors in bodie island light station double keepers quarters. additional funding obtained continue restoration, restarted in 2012 , completed in march 2013.

there re-lighting ceremony on april 18, 2013, , lighthouse opened general public climb following day fee.