Cape Hatteras Lighthouse Timeline

Source: National Park Service

Here's a look at the history of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse and efforts to save it from the sea.

1797
Congress approves the erection of a lighthouse at the treacherous Diamond Shoals at Cape Hatteras. The first lighthouse is completed 1 mile inland five years later, but is considered inadequate because it is too short. The new Hatteras Lighthouse, the tallest in the United States, is completed in 1870 about 1,500 feet from the ocean.

1919
The ocean advances to within 300 feet of the lighthouse.

1930
About 900 feet of interlocking steel sheet pile groins are installed along the shoreline.

1930s
The Civilian Conservation Corps begins building a barrier sand-dune system along the entire length of Hatteras Island. Additional sheet pile groins installed.

1935
The ocean advances to within 100 feet of the tower.

1936
The U.S. Coast Guard abandons the lighthouse. Ownership is transferred to the National Park Service.

1950
The Coast Guard reactivates the lighthouse when the erosion problems seem to have stabilized.

1966
About 312,000 cubic yards of sand are pumped from the Pamlico Sound onto the beach 1 mile west of the lighthouse.

1967
Large nylon sand-filled bags are placed in front of the lighthouse.

1969
U.S. Navy builds three reinforced concrete groins to protect the Naval Facility and the lighthouse.

1971
About 200,000 cubic yards of sand are moved from Cape Hatteras Point to the beach in the lighthouse area.

1973
An additional 1,300,000 cubic yards of sand are moved from Cape Hatteras Point to the beach.

1975
Storms partially destroy the groins that the Navy built in 1969. They are repaired with sheet steel piling.

1980
A severe blizzard in March destroys the remaining lighthouse groins. The groin nearest the lighthouse is extended 150 feet after storms flank the beach anchor point. The ocean washes completely around the extension in December and forces an emergency protection project, which pushes the sea back from the lighthouse to about 100 feet. It had reached 50 feet.

1981
William Garrett installs the first of 250 units of "Seascape," polypropylene devices of hollow gravel-filled tubes with connecting fronts, linking them into an underwater sandbar, thereby helping build up the beach. In November, a severe northeaster causes another emergency protection project. In December, the groin nearest the lighthouse is extended another 150 feet. United States Senator Jesse Helms and Governor Jim Hunt unite to sponsor a "Save the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse Committee."

1982
The Corps of Engineers develops protection alternatives, including a seawall encircling the lighthouse. Other alternatives are moving the lighthouse, offshore breakwaters, and more groins. In September, about 700 sandbags are placed in a protective dike around the lighthouse. In October, an additional 5,000 units of "Seascape" are installed. The groin nearest the lighthouse is extended 150 more feet.

1983
The Corp of Engineers develops plans for a scour-protection mat for the south groin to ensure its integrity. The mat is installed in 1984.

1986
Specifications for the seawall are completed. About 2,700 units of fake seaweed are placed in the ocean.

1987
Money is secured for a seawall. A private group, "Move the Lighthouse Committee," presents documentation of relocation technologies not previously available. The National Park Service contracts with the National Academy of Sciences for an independent review of all protection plans.

1988
The academy recommends that the lighthouse be moved.

1989
The National Park Service announces that relocation is its preferred protection plan.

1990
The sandbag revetment is refurbished. A contract is awarded to perform structural integrity restoration work on the lighthouse.

1993
Relocation is put on hold so money can be used for emergency interim protection measures. Hurricane Emily damages the lighthouse lantern deck handrail and windows.

1994
The southern-most groin is repaired. Hurricane Gordon results in extensive erosion and dune breaching, and significant damage to the sandbag revetment. The revetment is repaired with 380 3,000-pound sandbags.

1995
The south groin is rehabilitated with 184 feet of steel sheetpiling.

1996
The Corps of Engineers issues a report for a fourth groin alternative. Approximately 300 sandbags are placed to both the north and south sides of the lighthouse. N.C. State Senate Pro Tem Marc Basnight commissions a team of N.C. State University engineers and coastal geologists to revisit and assess the National Academy of Science's initial recommendation to move the lighthouse.

1997
The NCSU team endorses the NAS recommendation to move the lighthouse so it can be enjoyed by future generations.