Inventory of Historic Light Stations--North Carolina Lighthouses--Bald Head "Old Baldy" Light

Inventory of Historic Light Stations
North Carolina Lighthouses

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BALD HEAD "OLD BALDY" LIGHT

State: NORTH CAROLINA
Location: BALD HEAD ISLAND / CAPE FEAR RIVER
Nearest City: SOUTHPORT
County: BRUNSWICK
U.S.C.G. District: 5
Year Station Established: 1794

Photo courtesy Old Baldy Foundation

Existing Historic Tower:

Year Light First Lit: 1817
Is the Light Operational? NO
Date Deactivated: 1930
Automated: N/A
Foundation Materials: DRESSED STONE
Construction Materials: BRICK
Markings/Patterns: MOTTLED STUCCO/PLASTER
Shape: OCTAGONAL
Relationship to Other Structures: SEPARATE
Tower Height: 100
Original Optic: 15 LAMPS & REFLECTORS
Year Original Lens Installed: 1851
Present Optic: REMOVED
Year Present Lens Installed:
Height of Focal Plane: 110
Fresnel Lens Disposition:

Previous Tower(s):

1. Construction Date: 1794
Description: OCTAGONAL STUCCO-FINISHED BRICK
Fate/Disposition: LOST TO EROSION 1813

Modern Tower? NO

Existing Sound Signal Building? NO

Existing Keepers Quarters? NO, DESTROYED (REPLICA BUILT IN 2000)

Other Structures: BRICK OIL HOUSE (USED AS RESTROOMS), DECREPIT DOCK

Current Use: HISTORIC SITE/KEEPERS SERVES AS MUSEUM

Owner/Manager: OLD BALDY FOUNDATION

Open to the Public? YES (Go to Lighthouses to Visit for access information)

Web Site: LINK

National Register Status: LISTED; Reference #75001242
Name of Listing: BALD HEAD ISLAND LIGHTHOUSE
On State List/Inventory? YES; Year Listed:

Miscellaneous:
CAPE FEAR LIGHTHOUSE, SKELETON TOWER, ERECTED ON SMITH ISLAND IN 1903 W/FIRST ORDER LENS, DEMOLISHED 1958; BALD HEAD SOLD BY COAST GUARD IN 1963; RENOVATED 1990-1993

Last Modified: Tues, Mar 05 2002 5:17:02 pm EDT
JMP

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