The Old and New Lighthouses at Cape Henry Virginia Probably one of the most anticipated stops on our trip in the summer of 1999, was the site of the two lighthouses at Cape Henry, Virginia. This was the only stop planned where there were two lighthouses on the same site. It was also the site of one of the oldest lighthouse we would see on our trip. The old Cape Henry Lighthouse is the third oldest lighthouse still standing in the United States and the oldest on the Chesapeake Bay. It is very similar to the former Cape Henlopen Lighthouse (1767) in Delaware. Plans for the construction of the Old Cape Henry Lighthouse go back to 1774, but was delayed several times due to lack of funds or war. The construction of the lighthouse stemmed directly from the act, which created the Lighthouse Service, one of the initial acts of the first session of the 1st Congress in 1789. It was made the duty of the Secretary of the Treasury to see that the necessary contracts, to be approved by the President, should be prepared. A few days after the passage, George Washington forwarded a copy of the new act to the Governor of Virginia, Beverly Randolph. The Virginia authorities, long in pursuit of the lighthouse project, moved as quick as they could on approval. On November 13th, the Virginia General Assembly provided for the conveyance of the land for the lighthouse. But a year lapsed between the initial Congressional appropriation and the letting the contract to build the Old Cape Henry Lighthouse. It was signed on March 31st, 1791, by Alexander Hamilton and John McComb Jr. "of the State of New York, Bricklayer, " as builder and "undertaker." The contract is an interesting document and rich in descriptive details. It called for McComb with "all convenient speed, to build and finish in good workman like manner a Light House of stone, faced with hewn or hammer dressed stone ... from the bottom of the water table up to the top of the stone work." It was to be shape of an octagon, having three windows in the east and four in the west." Finally, "electrical conductors to secure it from the effects of lightning" from a provision of the contract. Other details of the construction contract specified provisions for the Keeper's house and oil storage. Even though quite a few changes were made before it was all done, the entire project was built for $17,700. In October 1792, the 90 foot, unpainted, sandstone tower was finished, the first Keeper, Laban Goffigan moved in, and lit the fish oil burning lamps for the first time. Over the years repairs, replacements and additions were made to the tower, with a "dioptric Fresnel Lens" being installed in 1857. Confederate raiders destroyed the lantern, but I was fixed in 1863.
Great view from the lantern room of the "Old" lighthouse looking at the "New" Cape Henry Lighthouse.
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During an inspection in 1872, was the stability and safety of the old
tower first questioned. Eight years earlier, it was noted that there were "large
cracks and openings" in the original masonry of six of the eight faces. A report was
issued that year that called for a new tower to be built.
The recommendations of 1872 did not get immediate
attention or at least approval and were repeated yearly. Finally, $75,000 was appropriated
on June 10th 1878 for the construction of a new lighthouse and it’s
associated facilities. These were completed at a site some 357 feet southeast from the old
tower in 1881. The last keeper of the old light and the first keeper of the new facility,
Jay D. Edwards, lighted the new beam on December 15th, 1881.
It was thought that the old tower would collapse, but to it is still standing today, even though cracks are visible and approximately seven feet of the Aquai sandstone foundation has been exposed. On April 29th 1896, the president and other officers of the Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities placed upon the old lighthouse a tablet marking the first landing of English colonist on Virginia soil. This became the forerunner of the Cape Henry Memorial, marking the location that the settlers stared from to found the Town of Jamestown. As the official symbol of the City of Virginia Beach, Virginia, the Cape Henry Lighthouse receives about 60,000 visitors a year. It will cost you $2 per person to climb the lighthouse. At the top of the stairway inside is a small ladder that goes through a very small opening to the lantern room. From the lantern room you can see the new lighthouse. The New Cape Henry Lighthouse is a 164-foot octagonal tower
made up of masonry inner-walls and cast iron plated outer-walls, making it the tallest
such lighthouse in the U.S. It has a first-order Fresnel lens and is painted in black and
white alternating vertical stripes. The light was automated in 1984 and has an intensity
of 80,000 candlepower. Overlooking the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, its
20-second flashing light can be seen for only about 15 miles out to sea because of the
bright lights from the surrounding city. Both Lighthouses, the gift shop and the Cape Henry Memorial are located on the Fort Story Army Base. There was no guard present and we drove right in. The Lighthouse is open 10am till 5pm in the summer and only until 4pm in the winter. It’s easy to find and definitely worth a visit.
Looking down the hatch from the lantern room of the old Cape Henry Lighthouse |
 I love this picture that Elizabeth took of me standing next to the Old Cape Henry Lighthouse.
This little house is on the property next to the New lighthouse.
How to get there From the Oceanfront in Virginia Beach, take Pacific Ave (Route 60) north, or Atlantic Ave. – The two will merge. Near 82nd street the road will make a turn to the left. There is a traffic signal there. Follow the road to the right (Atlantic Ave.) and into the main gate of Fort Story. Follow this road it will take you right to the lighthouse. The phone number for information is 757-422-9421
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