Inventory of Historic Light Stations--Virginia--Cape Henry Lights

Inventory of Historic Light Stations
Virginia Lighthouses

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CAPE HENRY LIGHTS

State: VIRGINIA
Location: CHESAPEAKE BAY
Nearest City: VIRGINIA BEACH
County: VIRGINIA BEACH
U.S.C.G. District: 5
Year Station Established: 1792
Cape Henry Light (Second Tower)

First Tower (above): NPS photo by Ralph Eshelman, 1995; Second Tower (at left): NPS photo by Candace Clifford, 1989

First Existing Historic Tower:

Year Light First Lit: 1792
Is the Light Operational? NO
Date Deactivated: 1881
Automated: N/A
Foundation Materials: NATURAL/EMPLACED
Construction Materials: SANDSTONE W/BRICK LINING
Markings/Patterns: EXPOSED SANDSTONE
Shape: OCTAGONAL
Relationship to Other Structures: SEPARATE
Tower Height: 90
Original Optic: 18 ARGAND LAMPS/12-INCH REFLEC
Year Original Lens Installed: 1792
Present Optic: REMOVED
Year Present Lens Installed:
Height of Focal Plane: 72
Fresnel Lens Disposition: FIRST ORDER FRESNEL (1857) MOVED TO SECOND TOWER

NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARK Study

Second Historic Tower:

Year Light First Lit: 1881
Is the Light Operational? YES
Date Deactivated: N/A
Automated: 1984
Foundation Materials: TIMBER/GRANITE
Construction Materials: CAST IRON PLATE ON MASONRY
Markings/Patterns: VERTICAL BLACK/WHITE STRIPES
Shape: OCTAGONAL PYRAMIDAL
Relationship to Other Structures: SEP
Tower Height: 163
Original Optic: FIRST ORDER, FRESNEL
Year Original Lens Installed: 1881
Present Optic: FIRST ORDER, FRESNEL
Year Present Lens Installed: 1881
Height of Focal Plane: 164
Has tower been moved? NO

Fresnel Lens Disposition: FIRST ORDER FRESNEL (1855) REMOVED IN 1861 AND REPLACED 1863; CURRENT FIXED FIRST ORDER LENS IN SECOND TOWER WAS MADE BY BARBIER & FENESTRE IN 1880

Previous Tower(s): N/A

Modern Tower? NO

Existing Sound Signal Building? NO

Fog Signal Type: BELL (1857)

Existing Keepers Quarters? YES

Year Constructed:
Number of Stories: 2
Architectural Style:
Construction Materials: FRAME

Other Structures: FIRST ASSISTANT & SECOND ASSISTANT KEEPERS, OIL HOUSE, SEVERAL SHEDS

Current Use: FIRST TOWER IS HISTORIC SITE / SECOND TOWER IS ACTIVE AID TO NAVIGATION

Owner/Manager: FIRST TOWER--ASSOCIATION FOR THE PRESERVATION OF VA ANTIQUITIES (APVA) / SECOND TOWER--U.S. COAST GUARD

Open to the Public? YES (Go to Lighthouses to Visit for access information)

National Register Status: LISTED; Reference #66000910
Name of Listing: CAPE HENRY LIGHTHOUSE
On State List/Inventory? YES; Year Listed: 1969

Miscellaneous:
FIRST LIGHT CONSTRUCTED BY U.S. GOVERNMENT; BUILT BY JOHN MCCOMB, JR.; FIRST FEDERAL WORKS PROJECT

Last Modified: Thu, Feb 10 2005 2:41:02 pm EDT
JMP

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