LIGHTHOUSE XIV

BODIE ISLAND LIGHTHOUSE, NORTH CAROLINA

Order No. 109

HISTORY: Details: Height of tower: 165 feet. Year completed: 1872. Signal distance: 19 nautical miles.

Bodie Island Lighthouse is south of Nags Head and West of Coquina Beach on the outer banks of North Carolina. This is actually the third Bodie Island Lighthouse as the first two were not constructed in a sturdy enough manner to survive. In 1852 Congress ordered a new one with a new look—conical, brick, iron lantern room, a Fresnel lens and a solid foundation. Sturdy construction however did not keep the Confederate soldiers from destroying it to keep the Union Navy from using its service. It was transferred from the U.S. Coast Guard to the National Park Service in 2000 although the USCG maintains the active first-order Fresnel lens.

The163 foot tower is again in need of complete restoration and the Outer Banks Lighthouse Society is assisting with those plans. When volunteers are present, the lower portion of the lighthouse is open to visitors. The lighthouse was automated in 1931 and it remains and active aid to navigation. The Fresnel lens casts a light 18 miles out to sea.

STITCHING INFORMATION: Stitch count: 88 stitches wide x 166 high. Our model was stitched on a 12" x 16" piece of white 16-count AIDA fabric. To use a different type of fabric or different AIDA sized fabric, give the stitch count to your fabric store and they will help you select the correct amount of fabric to complete this design. Our threads were carefully chosen to depict the actual colors of the lighthouse to give it the most realistic appearance possible.