Cape Henry Lighthouse facts for kids
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Cape Henry Lighthouse
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In 2017
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 Location in Virginia
Location in the United States
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| Location | Virginia Beach, Virginia |
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| 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 |
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| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1966, December 2, 2002 |
| Designated NHL | April 15, 1970 |
The Cape Henry Lighthouse is a famous lighthouse located at Cape Henry in Virginia. This spot is very important because it marks the southern entrance to the Chesapeake Bay. Many ships travel through here to reach harbors and rivers.
The first lighthouse built here was special. It was the very first construction project approved by the U.S. government under the new Constitution in 1792. Later, in 1881, a second, taller lighthouse was built nearby. This happened because people worried the first one wasn't safe anymore. Both of these historic towers are now recognized as a National Historic Landmark.
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History of the Lighthouses
The first Cape Henry Lighthouse was built by John McComb Jr.. He was a famous architect who also worked on New York City Hall. The lighthouse was finished in October 1792. It was made from strong stone called Aquia and Rappahannock sandstone.
During the American Civil War, the lighthouse was damaged by Confederate forces. But Union forces quickly fixed it in 1863. They needed the light to guide their ships safely.
In the 1870s, the old lighthouse got a large crack after being hit by lightning. This made people worry about its safety. So, a new, taller lighthouse was built in 1881. It stands about 350 feet (107 meters) away from the first one. The old tower was kept as a "daymark." This means it was used to help ships navigate during the day.
The new lighthouse became fully automatic in 1983. This means it runs by itself without someone needing to be there all the time. It is still used today.
What the Lighthouses Look Like
In 1798, a visitor named Benjamin Henry Latrobe described the old Cape Henry Lighthouse. He said it looked like an "octangular truncated pyramid." This means it had eight sides and got narrower towards the top, like a pyramid with its top cut off. It was about 90 feet (27 meters) tall.
The old lighthouse is 26 feet (8 meters) wide at its bottom and 16 feet (5 meters) wide at its top. It was built using Aquia Creek sandstone. This is the same type of stone used to build the White House!
The newer lighthouse is 157 feet (48 meters) tall. It was built using strong materials like cast iron and wrought iron. It has a very powerful light called a first-order Fresnel lens. This special lens helps the light shine very brightly and far out to sea. It's the only lighthouse in Virginia that still uses this type of powerful lens.
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Two Lighthouses at Cape Henry
Keeping Them Safe
The older lighthouse was bought in 1930 by an organization called Preservation Virginia. They work to protect important historical places. Inside the old lighthouse, a brick lining and an iron stairway were added to make it stronger.
Today, you can visit the old lighthouse! You can climb to the top and enjoy an amazing view from its observation platform. In 1964, it was named a National Historic Landmark. This means it's a very important historical site in the United States. In 2002, it was also named a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark. This award recognizes its importance in engineering history.
Both lighthouses are located in Virginia Beach, Virginia. They are inside a Navy base called Joint Expeditionary Base Fort Story. The Cape Henry Memorial is also right 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
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