One hundred fifty years ago, a new light cut through one of the darkest stretches of the East Coast. On December 1, 1875, the Currituck Beach Lighthouse gave its first sweep of light across the Atlantic, guiding ships off the coast of northeastern North Carolina to steer clear of dangerous shoals.
For the rest of this month and on December 1, 2025, Currituck Beach Lighthouse in Corolla is celebrating the 150th anniversary of the first illumination of the 162-foot tower that presides over Corolla.
The light was an essential part of East Coast navigation and a legendary piece of Outer Banks history, and the fact that it is still shining today is remarkable. Many historic lighthouses along the nation's coasts have gone dark, but Currituck’s first-order Fresnel lens continues to send its beam 18 nautical miles offshore. Its survival and continued operation are the result of decades of dedicated, hands-on preservation by Outer Banks Conservationists, Inc. (OBC) the nonprofit that stepped in when the lighthouse compound was closed and in disrepair.
Photo: The Little Keeper's House is now the Museum Shop, which is open when the lighthouse is open.
A Look Back at 150 Years of Light
The story began in 1873, when Congress funded a lighthouse to illuminate the final 40-mile dark gap between Cape Henry and Bodie Island lighthouses. Construction started in 1874, requiring roughly one million bricks to build the 162-foot tower. When the beacon was first lit on December 1, 1875, it completed the network of major lights along the East Coast.
Life at Currituck Beach Lighthouse was demanding. More than two dozen lighthouse keeper families lived in the 1876 duplex Keepers’ Dwelling, maintaining the flame, polishing the lens, repairing the machinery and riding out the isolation of barrier-island life. Over time, technology changed — mineral oil replaced lard oil in 1884, electricity arrived in 1933, and the Coast Guard took over U.S. lighthouse operations in 1939.
After World War II, the Coast Guard vacated the property. By the 1950s, the site had been sold, and its future was bleak.
A turning point came in 1980, when the locally based nonprofit Outer Banks Conservationists Inc. (OBC) incorporated with a clear mission to restore the abandoned 1876 Keepers’ Dwelling and save the Currituck Beach Lighthouse. One of the OBC founders, John Wilson, is the great-grandson of the station’s final keeper, Principal Keeper Homer Treadwell Austin. Within a decade, OBC had nearly fully restored the dwelling and reopened the lighthouse to the public as a historic attraction. From 1980 to 2002, OBC restored the entire compound, and in 2003 the deed officially transferred to the nonprofit organization. Today, the lighthouse is open for climbing seven days a week from mid-March to December. The restored Double Keepers’ House is not open to the public on a regular basis, but the Little Keeper’s House has been restored and is used as a museum shop. The buildings and grounds are meticulously kept, making site a popular spot for weddings.
Photo: Currituck Beach Lighthouse has a first-order Fresnel lens, the largest of the seven Fresnel lens sizes.
Because of OBC’s work, Currituck Beach Lighthouse is a functioning first-order Fresnel lens lighthouse and an irreplaceable piece of Outer Banks history. It is self-sustaining thanks to climbing fees, weddings and donors.
150th Illumination Celebration Events
As OBC marks 150 years since Currituck Beach Lighthouse was first illumined, Site Manager Meghan Agresto says they “are excited to honor the keepers, descendants, visionaries, public servants, docents, climbers and the community who have kept this aid to navigation active and the light station itself a place that shines."
To honor 150 years of light, Currituck Beach Lighthouse and Outer Banks Conservationists are hosting nearly three weeks of special programs highlighting history, community, culture and coastal heritage. The celebrations include 12 days of Keepers' Dwelling tours as well as programs, presentations, parties, community celebrations and free lighthouse climbs.
“The events leading up to and the celebration on December 1 will be a fun tribute as well as what we hope will be an inspiring launch into the next century and a half of preservation of the wonder and breathlessness people feel here on site and up on top,” Agresto says.
Photo: A view of the Keepers' Dwelling from the lighthouse tower.
November 12 to 23: Keepers’ Dwelling Tours
Guided tours inside the restored 1876 Keepers’ Dwelling are held at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. It’s a rare treat to see inside the Keepers’ House as it is typically not open to the public. The house has been fully restored and is decorated with period furnishings. Reservations encouraged, and donations are welcome. Call (252) 453-4939 or email currituckbeachlighthouse@obcinc.org for reservations.
Friday, November 28: Corolla Craft Village & Corolla Village Holiday Market
Spend the day with local makers, music, lights and coastal holiday cheer in historic Corolla Village. The Craft Village is held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and the Holiday Market is held from 4 to 8 p.m.
Saturday, November 29: History, A Performance & the Corolla Village Holiday Celebrations
From 4 to 5 p.m. there will be a short history talk about the lighthouse paired with Augustin Fresnel: Through a New Lens, a one-man performance celebrating the physicist whose invention revolutionized lighthouse design. The Corolla Village Holiday Market continues from 4 to 8 p.m.
Sunday, November 30: History, Heritage & Nature Day
From 11 a.m. to noon there will be a second Fresnel performance of Augustin Fresnel: Through a New Lens. At 2 p.m. there will be a guided nature walk with the Corolla Wild Horse Fund on the Currituck Banks Maritime Trail.
Monday, December 1: Anniversary Day - Free Climbs & Sunset Celebration
Enjoy free lighthouse climbs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (donations appreciated). At 4 p.m. there will be a community celebration with sparklers, cake, speeches and a Champagne toast to the next 150 years.
Photo: The Keepers' Dwelling before restoration by Outer Banks Conservationists.
Honoring the Light — and Those Who Saved It
As Currituck Beach Lighthouse marks its 150th anniversary of illumination, it’s worth remembering that this milestone did not happen by chance. It happened because people in this community believed that history mattered enough to restore it and save it for all of us to enjoy.
If you love this lighthouse, this is the perfect season to climb it, explore it, learn its stories and support the work that keeps its beam turning over the Outer Banks.
Outer Banks Conservationists is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that owns two historic sites: Currituck Beach Lighthouse in Corolla and Island Farm on Roanoke Island. You can support OBC’s work in general or designate your donation to one of the sites in particular. Click here to donate. You can also buy a season pass to either site.
Currituck Beach Lighthouse
1101 Corolla Village Road, Corolla
(252) 453-4939
currituckbeachlighthouse@obcinc.org
obcinc.org/currituck-beach-lighthouse/
All photos courtesy of Currituck Beach Lighthouse Facebook
About the Author Molly Harrison
Molly Harrison is managing editor at OneBoat, publisher of OuterBanksThisWeek.com. She moved to Nags Head in 1994 and since then has made her living writing articles and creating publications about the people, places and culture of the Outer Banks.
