Cape Hatteras Lighthouse Dare County, North Carolina
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- 1861
- During the Civil War, Confederate forces are prevented from destroying the lighthouse, but do manage to take the Fresnel lens.
- 1862
- The lighthouse is functioning again but is in disrepair; studies show it would be most economical to replace the tower with a new one.
- 1867
- Congress appropriates $75,000 for a new Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. (The final cost will be $167,500.)
- 1868
- Construction of Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. Upon completion, the original Fresnel lens from the 1803 lighthouse is transferred to the new tower.
- 1873
- The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is given its distinctive stripes by order of the Lighthouse Board. The Board assigned each lighthouse a distinctive daymark and nightmark paint pattern to enable mariners to recognize it during the day and night.
- 1919
- Once more than 1,500 feet from the shoreline, the lighthouse is now only 300 feet from the water due to erosion.
- 1936
- The National Park Service assumes ownership of the abandoned lighthouse. The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) begin building sand dunes to prevent further erosion.
- 1942
- The National Park Service leases the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse to the Coast Guard for use as observation tower during WWII.
