Lighthouse Privy

According to a National Park Service Cultural Landscape Report on the Ocracoke Light Station, "One of the most essential support buildings included in the original 1823 specifications [for the construction of the Ocracoke Lighthouse] was a privy."

Lighthouse Privy, 2017

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The Report goes on to say, "[The privy] is recorded on the earliest site plan of 1890 and...[in] 1893.... It was frame with a wood foundation.... Plat maps show that the privy was always located along the east property line although, typical of privies, it was moved several times in the general area."

The privy was repaired or rebuilt several times, including in the early 1880s, 1913, and 1916. The privy was totally reconstructed, according to the original design, in 2004 and 2010.

Although most visitors to the Ocracoke Light Station focus their attention on the lighthouse, several other structures are located on the property. The privy can be seen to the left of the keeper's quarters as you walk up the boardwalk toward the lighthouse.

This month's Ocracoke Newsletter is the entertaining story of Calvin Wilkerson and his Condomed Nautilus. You can read it here: https://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news042117.htm.