Cape Henry Light facts for kids

Cape Henry Lighthouse
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
U.S. National Historic Landmark
In 2017
Location in Virginia Show map of Virginia Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Location	Virginia Beach, Virginia
Built	Old Lighthouse, 1792; New lighthouse, 1881
Architect	Federal Government
MPS	Light Stations of the United States MPS
NRHP reference No.	66000910, 02001439
Quick facts for kids Significant dates
Added to NRHP	October 15, 1966, December 2, 2002
Designated NHL	April 15, 1970

The Cape Henry Lighthouse is a lighthouse in Virginia. It is near Virginia Beach, Virginia. For a long time, it has been important for the large amount of shipping entering the Chesapeake Bay from the Atlantic Ocean. The first building was the first lighthouse authorized by the U.S. government. It was built in 1792. The lighthouse was also the first federal construction project under the Constitution. It was expected to cost $15,200 to build. Another $2,500 was needed to finish the lighthouse. A second lighthouse was built in 1881 a short distance away. It was built because people were worried the first building was not stable.

History

The Cape Henry Lighthouse was the first work of the new U.S. Federal government. It was built of stone by John McComb, Jr.. The building was finished in October, 1792. McComb was one of the architects that helped build New York City Hall. He also designed other lighthouses. The lighthouse's design was based on the 1767 Cape Henlopen Light. The lighthouse was damaged by Confederate forces during the American Civil War. It was repaired by Union forces in 1863. Union forces needed the light for navigation. In the 1870s, people worried about the condition and safety of the old lighthouse at Cape Henry. Because of this, the New Cape Henry Lighthouse was built in 1881. The new lighthouse is 350 feet (110 m) southeast of the old lighthouse. The old tower was not destroyed. It is still standing. The old lighthouse is still a daymark used for triangulation. The lighthouse was fully automated in 1983.

Description

The newer light station and the old lighthouse at Cape Henry

In 1798, Benjamin Latrobe visited Cape Henry Lighthouse and described it as "an octangular truncated pyramid of eight sides, rising 90 feet to the light..." The Old Cape Henry Lighthouse is 26 feet in diameter at its base and 16 feet at its top. It was built with Aquia Creek sandstone. The sandstone came from the same source as the White House.

The new lighthouse is 157 feet (48 m) tall. It was built of cast iron and wrought iron. It also has a more powerful light.

Preservation

Preservation Virginia took control of the older lighthouse in 1930. Preservation Virginia was known as the Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities at the time. A brick lining and an iron stairway have been added to the lighthouse. The lighthouse is open to the public. It was made a National Historic Landmark on January 29, 1964. In 2002 the American Society of Civil Engineers listed the lighthouse a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark.

Modern photo

U.S. Coast Guard Archive

The second lighthouse

The lighthouses are located in the city of Virginia Beach. They are inside of the boundaries of Fort Story. It is an Army base. The Cape Henry Memorial is next to the lighthouses.

Images for kids

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  First tower in 1995 (NPS)

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  Second tower, modern photo

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  Second tower, U.S. Coast Guard Archive

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  The first Cape Henry Lighthouse, erected 1792, in 2017

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  The second Cape Henry Lighthouse, erected 1881, in 2017

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  Both Lighthouses in 2017