Cape Charles Lighthouse

This lighthouse is a 191-foot iron tower reinforced by an octagonal pyramidal steel superstructure. It was built in 1894 almost a mile inland from the previous site. Although completed in December 1894, its Fresnel lens was installed late and the light finally was illuminated on August 15, 1895. The curent tower is painted all white except for the top section, which is black. It was automated in 1963 and the first-order Fresnel lens and the lantern were removed and replaced with a 5 second flashing airport-style searchlight beacon. It now shows a 1.2 million candlepower light, visible up to 24 miles away, the brightest in the entire Chesapeake Bay region. The Cape Charles Fresnel lens is on display at the Mariners' Museum in Newport News, and is shown in the pictures below. The lighthouse is operated by the U.S. Coast Guard and remains an active aid to navigation. It is not open to the public. On July 13, 2000 the keeper's house burned down. Since it was extremely difficult for firefighters to reach the island, they could not save the house. The first level's brick walls are all that remain. The lighthouse was undamaged.

More photos of Cape Charles.

HISTORY
The current lighthouse is the third one in this area. The first light was a white 55-foot stone tower built in 1828. But light could only be seen 12 miles away. The second light was a 150-foot brick tower located 1.25 miles southwest from the first site. It was completed on May 7, 1864. It was two years late because Confederate raiders completely destroyed it when it was 83 feet high. It had a first-order Fresnel lens. This tower was painted white with a middle band of red. The lighthouse became a victim to beach erosion in 1892. Actually, the condemned tower managed to stand until 1927. Rubble is still visible in the surf. Six lightships served near here beginning in 1888. The second ship started in 1891, the third (what is now the Portsmouth Lightship) in 1916, fourth in 1924, fifth in 1927. The station was moved in 1933 (served by a sixth ship) to where the Chesapeake Tower now stands. Located near the lighthouse are three towers that were used as artillery fire control and observation posts for the gun batteries at nearby Fort John Custis. Two more Army towers are located on Mockhorn Island just to the north of here. The fort was later converted into the Cape Charles Air Force Base. The Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge now occupies the site of the World War II fort. Except for a couple of bunkers and the towers, there is very little evidence that the military was ever here.

Learn more about Fort John Custis.

Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge: (757) 331-2760
Cape Charles Historical Society and
the Cape Charles Museum and Welcome Center: (757) 331-1008
Broadwater Bay Ecotours: (757) 442-4363

HOW TO SEE IT

• Your best bet is to charter a boat.
• On a clear day it can be seen from a distance as you drive north across the North Channel Bridge and Fisherman's Island sections of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel. But please keep in mind that you are not supposed to stop except for emergencies.
• You may also see it from the Marsh Overlook at the Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge.
• Another interesting viewpoint is at the end of Magotha Road (Rt 655), just off of Seaside Road (Rt 600).

As you drive across the southern or middle sections of the Bridge-Tunnel you may be able to spot the two Cape Henry lighthouses.

1994 USGS Satellite image of the Cape Charles Lighthouse

courtesy of Microsoft TerraServer

2/19/06