Built - 1859

Operational - Yes

Height - 160 Feet

Signal Visible - 19 miles

The original Cape Lookout Lighthouse was completed in 1812. It was a brick tower that was 96 feet. In times of bad weather it's signal could not be seen because it was too short. Congress authorized the construction of the current lighthouse in 1857 and construction was completed in 1859. Since the Cape Hatteras, Bodie Island, and the Currituck Lighthouses were modeled after the Cape Lookout Lighthouse, the diamond pattern was painted 1873 to help sailors distinguish it during the daylight.