Buxton, NC – Rising 210 feet above the windswept sands of the Outer Banks, the Cape Hatteras lighthouse stands as a sentinel of maritime history, its iconic black-and-white spiral pattern a symbol of resilience against the relentless Atlantic. Known as America’s tallest lighthouse, this 155-year-old beacon has guided countless mariners through the treacherous “Graveyard of the Atlantic.” Approximately 500,000 people visit the Cape Hatteras Light Station annually and approximately 1,500 people climb the lighthouse daily between April and October. Today, it is the focus of a $20 million restoration project aimed at preserving its legacy for generations to come. But as work progresses, unexpected challenges have emerged, testing the resolve of those dedicated to its survival.
A Storied Past
The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, first lit in 1870, was not the first to stand on this perilous stretch of coast. Its predecessor, built in 1803, was plagued by structural flaws and relentless erosion, barely surviving the Civil War when Confederate forces removed its lens to thwart Union navigation. By 1868, Congress approved a new lighthouse, designed by engineer Dexter Stetson, to withstand the elements. Completed at a cost of $167,500, the lighthouse was equipped with a state-of-the-art Fresnel lens, casting a beam visible 24 miles out to sea. Its distinctive spiral pattern, painted in 1873, made it a navigational landmark and a cultural icon.
The lighthouse’s greatest challenge came not from storms but from the shifting sands of Hatteras Island. By the 1990s, erosion had brought the ocean within 100 feet of the structure, prompting a daring relocation. In 1999, the National Park Service (NPS) orchestrated a $12 million engineering feat, moving the 4,800-ton lighthouse 2,900 feet inland over 23 days. The move, hailed as a triumph of preservation, ensured the lighthouse’s survival but could not halt the wear of time.
A Lighthouse in Need
By 2016, a National Park Service report revealed the toll of decades of exposure. The lighthouse was rated in “fair” condition, with serious maintenance issues: corroded ironwork, cracked masonry, deteriorating windows, and a lantern room battered by salt air. The interior paint, laden with lead, posed health risks, and the marble flooring showed signs of wear. Without intervention, this national treasure risked further decay.
In September 2023, the NPS awarded a $19.2 million contract to Stone & Lime Historic Restoration Services, Inc., launching an 18-month restoration project. The effort, which began with a ceremonial groundbreaking on February 14, 2024, aimed to address every facet of the lighthouse’s deterioration. Plans included repairing masonry, replacing corroded metal components, restoring windows, refinishing marble floors, and rehabilitating the lantern room to its original glory. New pathways were also planned to improve visitor access, ensuring the lighthouse grounds remained welcoming even as the tower itself was closed to climbers.
Summary of Restoration Project:
During the 18-month project, Stone & Lime Historic Restoration Services, Inc. will perform extensive restoration work inside and outside the lighthouse, and improve the landscape for a better visitor experience. Read the Summary Report for a detailed list of projects. Hightlights include:
Fresnel Lens Replica:
Under this project, the current spotlight/beacon will be replaced with a replica of a first-order Fresnel lens. The lens will include a fabricated pedestal, working clockwork, and a replica counter-weight system. The workings of the pedestal will be visible to visitors at the top of the lighthouse during lighthouse climbs.
Repainting:
The exterior and interior of the Lighthouse will have the existing paint removed and new paint applied.
Restoring the Ironwork:
Over the last 150 years, the salt air has greatly impacted the intricate ironwork of the lighthouse. This is most noticable in the lantern room, on the watch deck, in the window structures and on the stairs. The restoration project will repair the iron where possible, and provide for accurate recasting where ironwork has to be replaced. The historic iron fence surrounding the lighthouse will also be replicated and restored.
Restoring Missing Defining Features:
Window pediments (ornamental structures above the windows) are no longer present. If you look closely, you can see where these features used to be. These will be restored, along with a replica of the metal ornamental fence surrounding the light house.
Landscape Enhancements:
The Cape Hatteras Light Station attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors a year. This project will improve pedesterian flow by expanding walkways, improving viewsheds, and providing expanded historical interpretation along the paths. The defining fence along the principal and double keepers’ quarters will also be restored, and the Keepers’ Stones will be relocated along the path to allow for better interpretation and enjoyment.
Progress and Perils
As of June 2025, the restoration has made significant strides. A major milestone was reached earlier this year when 99.9% of the interior lead paint was removed, a painstaking process that required precision to protect the lighthouse’s historic fabric. Scaffolding now envelops the structure, a testament to the scale of the work underway. Yet, recent discoveries have complicated the timeline and budget.In early 2025, inspectors uncovered extensive corrosion in the lighthouse’s iron brackets and support structures, far worse than anticipated. Cracks in the masonry walls, likely exacerbated by decades of coastal storms, have also raised concerns. These issues have driven costs upward, with estimates now nearing $20 million, and pushed the expected reopening beyond the original summer 2026 target. The NPS has indicated that the lighthouse may remain closed into 2027, depending on the timeline for bracket repairs.
A Community’s Commitment
For the people of Hatteras Island, the lighthouse is more than a landmark—it’s a source of identity and pride. The NPS has worked to maintain community engagement, building pathways to allow visitors to explore the grounds even as the tower remains off-limits.The restoration has also drawn national attention, with preservationists lauding the NPS’s commitment to saving this piece of Americana.
Looking to the Future
As the restoration continues, the NPS faces the delicate task of balancing historical accuracy with modern safety standards. The Fresnel lens, a marvel of 19th-century engineering, will be meticulously preserved, ensuring its light continues to shine. Meanwhile, the lighthouse’s grounds are being reimagined to enhance accessibility, with new interpretive displays planned to tell its story.The challenges of corrosion and cracks may delay the project, but they have not dimmed the resolve to see it through. For mariners, tourists, and locals alike, it remains a beacon worth preserving.
For more information on the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse restoration, visit www.nps.gov.