In 1859 the present 169 foot structure was put into operations. Construction began 2 years earlier in 1857. Measured at the base, the wall of this tower is an astonishing eight feet thick. Historically, the warning beam of this light was generated by using whale oil lamp and lens. In 1950 the USCG automated this light. The lighthouse is located at Shell Point on Core Banks Island in Cape Lookout National Seashore. It is reached by either passenger ferry or boat.
