Discover lighthouse icons and architectural treasures from Ireland, Europe, the USA, and beyond.
Bodie Island
Bodie Island Lighthouse stands tall along North Carolina’s Outer Banks, with a history marked by challenges and resilience. The current lighthouse, completed in 1872, is the third structure to serve as a beacon for sailors navigating the dangerous waters of the Atlantic. The first lighthouse, built in 1847, began to lean just two years after construction and was ultimately deemed unsafe. The second lighthouse, built in 1859, was tragically destroyed during the Civil War when retreating Confederate troops blew it up to prevent it from falling into Union hands.
Today, Bodie Island Lighthouse is one of the most iconic landmarks on the Outer Banks, offering a striking contrast to the surrounding natural beauty of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. With its bold black-and-white striped design, the lighthouse remains an essential guide for ships navigating the area’s treacherous shoals, a symbol of both the resilience of maritime navigation and the rich history of North Carolina’s coastal region.