Tuesday, February 09, 2016

Lighthouse Steps

Last summer Lou Ann discovered that Brook Ashley had the only photograph I am aware of that shows the original wooden stairs in the Ocracoke Lighthouse.

Compliments of Brook Ashley


















Pictured on the stairs is Dare Wright (1914-2001), model, photographer, and author of popular mid-twentieth century children's books, including The Lonely Doll, and Holiday for Edith and the Bears (set on Ocracoke Island).

According to a 1975 clipping from the Coastland Times, "The wooden stairs inside the Ocracoke Island lighthouse were replaced [in 1950] with a steel spiral stairway at a cost of about $3,000." Indications of the original stairs are still visible on the inner wall of the lighthouse.

Photo by Philip Howard













For more information about Dare Wright and her books, including Ocracoke in the Fifties (edited by Brook Ashley and John Ogilvie), visit http://www.darewright.com.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is about islanders who worked on the water, and lost their lives at sea. You can read the Newsletter here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news012116.htm.

2 comments:

  1. Anonymous4:38 PM

    Philip I suppose you know all about Dare Wright...I clicked on the links to her site....as a person was uncommon. Very interesting person though somewhat sad. Thank you for this link. This link departs from your usual subjects.

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    Replies
    1. Yes, an uncommon person, and very interesting. I don't remember ever meeting, or even seeing, her. I guess I was too young when she visited Ocracoke.

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