Critical missing date from Ocracoke Lighthouse history discovered by local islander

Article originally published at Island Free Press

When was the lamp at the top of the lighthouse first lit?

As Ocracoke Island and the National Park Service prepare to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the island’s most famous site, one startling mystery remains: when exactly in 1823 was the lamp at its top first lit? (It’s actually a trick question; read on for the answer!)

Cape Hatteras Lighthouse has a month, day, and year, (December 16, 1870), Bodie Island Lighthouse has a month, day, and year,(October 1, 1872), Currituck Beach Lighthouse has a month, day, and year, (December 1, 1875), but Ocracoke? Our Ocracoke is an orphan, seemingly destined to celebrate its birthday at an unofficial date.

Read the full article at Island Free Press.