Lighthouses

From the introduction to Brilliant Beacons, A History of the American Lighthouse by Eric Jay Dolin, published by W.W. Norton & Company, Inc:

"The sea is a dangerous place, and the greatest dangers loom closest to shore. Although storms imperil mariners wherever they are, they can confidently maneuver their ships on the open ocean without the fear of encountering unseen hazards or running aground. But as ships graze the coast, their risks multiply....

"The history of American's lighthouses is wondrously wide ranging. It is about the farsighted colonies that built the first lighthouses on the east coast to welcome commerce to their shores, embracing the founding of the nation and its dramatic expansion across the continent...."

The Ocracoke lighthouse was built in 1823. It remains intact, virtually unchanged, and shining brightly for nearly 200 years.

Although Ocracoke is the shortest lighthouse on the Outer Banks, many consider it the most picturesque. Located in the village of Ocracoke in a spacious yard and surrounded by gnarled cedars, the keeper's quarters, and its various outbuildings, the lighthouse is a popular destination for artists, photographers, historians, and casual visitors.

This month's Ocracoke Newsletter is a contemporary account of the December 24, 1899 wreck of the Steamship Ariosto. You can read the Newsletter here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news072117.htm.