North Carolina's "Old Baldy"

From the July 30, 2010, "Some Tomorrow's Morning" by Dan Hardison.

Featuring a 1940s-1950s postcard of "Old Baldy" lighthouse on Bald Head Island, also called Smith Island.  This is North Carolina's oldest standing lighthouse built in 1817, the second one built on the island using the brick from the first one.

The 110 foot high brick octagonal lighthouse is 36 feet wide at its 5-foot thick base tapering to two feet thick at its top.  A spiral staircase goes up to the offset lantern room which can be reached by a narrow ladder through a small opening in the floor.

During the Civil War, Confederates built Fort Holmes near it.

The lighthouse was used until 1935.  From World War II to 1958. a radio beacon was used for navigation.

It is open to the public and a replica 1850s keepers cottage at its base is also a museum.

We'll Leave the Light On for You.  --Cooter