Cape hatteras lighthouse stripe

Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, the tallest brick lighthouse in the US, is famous for its black and white spiral stripes that make it a visual icon.

About this subject

Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, located on Hatteras Island, North Carolina, is one of the most recognizable structures in the world thanks to its unique black and white spiral stripe pattern. Completed in 1870, it replaced an earlier lighthouse damaged during the Civil War. Standing at 210 feet (63 meters) tall, it is the tallest brick lighthouse in the United States and a National Historic Landmark.

The spiral stripes are not merely decorative; they serve as a daymark for mariners, distinguishing the lighthouse from others in the region. The black and white pattern was chosen for contrast against sky and sea, making it visible from great distances. Each stripe is about 7 feet (2.1 meters) wide and wraps around the entire tower, which is built of red bricks covered with a layer of painted mortar.

The lighthouse is crucial for navigating the dangerous Diamond Shoals, an area known as the "Graveyard of the Atlantic" due to the high number of shipwrecks. Its light, powered by a first-order Fresnel lens, reaches 24 nautical miles (44 km) out to sea. In 1999, the lighthouse was moved 2,900 feet (870 meters) inland to save it from coastal erosion, an engineering feat that relocated the 4,800-ton structure intact.

Today, Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is a popular tourist attraction, open for climbing during the season. Its spiral-striped image on T-shirts and postcards has become a symbol of the North Carolina coast. The pattern is so iconic that it has inspired miniature reproductions and decorations worldwide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Cape Hatteras Lighthouse have spiral stripes?

The spiral stripes serve as a daymark for mariners, distinguishing the lighthouse from others in the region. The black and white pattern was chosen to maximize contrast against the sky and sea.

How tall is Cape Hatteras Lighthouse?

The lighthouse is 210 feet (63 meters) tall, making it the tallest brick lighthouse in the United States.

Was the lighthouse moved? Why?

Yes, in 1999 the lighthouse was moved 2,900 feet (870 meters) inland to protect it from coastal erosion, which threatened to topple it into the sea.