DATE: Tuesday, September 30, 1997           TAG: 9709300285

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B2   EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA 

DATELINE: BODIE ISLAND                      LENGTH:   24 lines

LIGHTHOUSE CELEBRATES 125 YEARS

Wednesday marks the 125th anniversary of the lighting of the current Bodie Island Lighthouse. The tower was completed in 1872 and is the third and most successful attempt to light the coast surrounding Oregon Inlet.

The first two Bodie Island towers lasted a total of about 15 years, and were built south of Oregon Inlet. The first was abandoned in 1859. The second was destroyed in the Civil War.

The current tower was the result of intense lobbying by mariners, and construction began in 1871 on a 15-acre site north of Oregon Inlet. A powerful First Order Fresnel lens was installed and the light was ``exhibited'' for the first time on Oct. 1, 1872.

The light was electrified in 1932 and the property transferred to Cape Hatteras National Seashore in 1953. The U.S. Coast Guard retains ownership of the tower itself. The tower remains closed to the public during its restoration, but the adjacent keepers' quarters now serves as a National Park Service Visitor Center and is open every day, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., until the end of November. For information, contact Andrew King, (919) 995-4474.

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