The octagonal iron pyramidal tower was built by the Russel Wheel and Foundry in Detroit Michigan after entering the lowest bid at $24,000. The only other bid came from the Atlanta Machine Works, Atlanta, GA for $26,747. Work commenced in August 1905 working off plans for identical towers on Cape Fear, Cape Charles and Hog Island (of the three, only Cape Charles remains). Documents from the Foundry and William Craighill (District 7 &amp; 8 Engineer in charge of the project) detail numerous errors which may have helped in the demise of the Cape Fear light. In the 1920's, errors in reporting began several myths that persist to this day. Among the long held myths are the origins of the tower which stated that this lighthouse was built by a Chicago steel firm for the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair. It was then disassembled and moved to Hillsboro Inlet. The J.H. Gardner Construction Company of New Orleans, Louisiana cleared the land, laid the foundations and re-assembled and erected the lighthouse. The construction is held together with bolts there are no welds. Iron piping held together with 192 special cast iron joints and 80 tension rods with turnbuckles make up the structure.