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The 76-foot tall Ocracoke Lighthouse on Ocracoke Island is
the oldest active lighthouse in North Carolina and is the second
oldest operating lighthouse in the nation. It is listed on the
National Register of Historic Places.
The present structure replaced two previous lighthouses. The solid brick
lighthouse was built in 1823 and was controlled by both the northern and
southern troops during different periods of the Civil War. In 1868 the
tower was cemented and covered with its first coat of whitewash making it
brilliant white. Whale oil was first used to light the lanterns which were
then changed to kerosene. A fourth-order Fresnel lens was installed in
1854. Electricity now powers the light which shines 14 miles out into the
Atlantic Ocean.
The Ocracoke Lighthouse Ornament is an ideal gift for any
lighthouse collector. Tom Pollard Designs specializes in
designing the finest gold-plated brass light house ornaments.
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