Cape Henry Light

The Cape Henry Lighthouse is a lighthouse in Virginia. It is near Virginia Beach, Virginia. For a long time, it has been important for the large amount of shipping entering the Chesapeake Bay from the Atlantic Ocean. The first building was the first lighthouse authorized by the U.S. government. It was built in 1792.  The lighthouse was also the first federal construction project under the Constitution. It was expected to cost $15,200 to build. Another $2,500 was needed to finish the lighthouse. A second lighthouse was built in 1881 a short distance away. It was built because people were worried the first building was not stable.

History
The Cape Henry Lighthouse was the first work of the new U.S. Federal government. It was built of stone by John McComb, Jr.. The building was finished in October, 1792. McComb was one of the architects that helped build New York City Hall. He also designed other lighthouses. The lighthouse's design was based on the 1767 Cape Henlopen Light.  The lighthouse was damaged by Confederate forces during the American Civil War. It was repaired by Union forces in 1863. Union forces needed the light for navigation.  In the 1870s, people worried about the condition and safety of the old lighthouse at Cape Henry. Because of this, the New Cape Henry Lighthouse was built in 1881. The new lighthouse is  southeast of the old lighthouse. The old tower was not destroyed. It is still standing. The old lighthouse is still a daymark used for triangulation.  The lighthouse was fully automated in 1983.Catherine E. Dean, "The Old Cape Henry Lighthouse", 2006, APVA Preservation Virginia, ISBN=189146848-0

Description

The new lighthouse is  tall. It was built of cast iron and wrought iron. It also has a more powerful light.

Preservation
Preservation Virginia took control of the older lighthouse in 1930. Preservation Virginia was known as the Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities at the time.  A brick lining and an iron stairway have been added to the lighthouse. The lighthouse is open to the public.  It was made a National Historic Landmark on January 29, 1964.  In 2002 the American Society of Civil Engineers listed the lighthouse a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark.

The lighthouses are located in the city of Virginia Beach within the boundaries of Joint Expeditionary Base East, a Navy base.  The Cape Henry Memorial is next to the lighthouses.

References

Other websites

 Lighthousefriends: Cape Henry Lighthouse
 Cape Henry Lighthouse webpage on the Preservation Virginia website 
 Cape Henry Lighthouse info 
Chesapeake Bay Lighthouse Project – Old Cape Henry Light
Chesapeake Bay Lighthouse Project – New Cape Henry Light

Category:Buildings and structures in Virginia
Category:Virginia Beach, Virginia
Category:Lighthouses
Category:1792 establishments in the United States
Category:1881 establishments in the United States