U.S. Lighthouse Service ::Roanoke River Lighthouse Plymouth North Carolina

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The history of the Roanoke River Lighthouse
Excerpt from story and photos by Petty Officer 2nd Class Kip Wadlow

Third Time is a Charm

Plymouth, located on the southern bank of the Roanoke River, was the fifth largest shipping port in the state of North Carolina during the 19th century. The Roanoke River's deep draft made Plymouth an ideal spot for transferring cargo from the large, ocean-going vessels sailing into Albemarle Sound, to smaller ships traveling along the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway or to railroads for shipment to major cities further inland.

The original lighthouse, built upon a screw pile foundation in 1866, was located six miles down river from Plymouth on the east side of the channel in Batchelor's Bay off the Albemarle Sound. It served the area until a fire destroyed it in March of 1885.

A second lighthouse was quickly erected and operating by late summer 1885 at the mouth of the Roanoke River. The new structure survived until January 1886 when heavy ice-build up damaged the support pilings, causing it to collapse into the sound.

The construction of a third lighthouse began in September of 1886. This lighthouse became operational in February 1887 and came under Coast Guard's jurisdiction when the Lighthouse Service became part of the Coast Guard on July 1, 1939 and continued operating until it was decommissioned in the early 1950's.

Living History: A cannon is fired at the Roanoke River Lighthouse dedication ceremony in Plymouth, N.C. The artillery men are dressed as members of the Confederate armed forces who fought against Union forces in and around Plymouth during the Civil War.

Home Sweet Home

A local salvage operator purchased the lighthouse after its decommissioning, moved it to Edenton, N.C., and turned it into a private residence where it remains to this day.

After trying unsuccessfully to purchase the original lighthouse structure, the Washington County Waterways Commission, decided to build a replica of the original 1866 lighthouse in an effort to revitalize the town's historic waterfront district and introduce tourists to the town's unique past.

The U.S. Lighthouse Service flag flies over the Roanoke River during a lighthouse dedication ceremony in Plymouth, N.C., Saturday, Sept. 15, 2007. The ceremony celebrated the official completion and opening of the lighthouse to visitors.

For more info: roanokeriverlighthouse.org

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