Manteo’s lighthouse tells a different story

Not all the North Carolina lighthouses were seaside structures. Several small lighthouses were once positioned among sounds and rivers that lie between the Outer Banks and the mainland. 

These smaller lighthouses helped mariners navigate tricky waters in what is now often referred to as North Carolina’s “inner banks” region. 

Although none of the old “river lighthouse” buildings has survived where it was originally built, the legends and lore of an important era of North Carolina maritime history have been preserved. 

For instance, visitors to Roanoke Island, are welcomed by a magnificent replica of the Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse that is now anchored on the downtown Manteo waterfront.

 

The square-shaped, coastal cottage-style structure is located at the end of a 40-yard pier that juts out into Shallowbag Bay. It’s painted bright white with a red roof. You can’t miss it.

 

The lighthouse looks exactly like the third Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse, which was built in 1877. It stood near shore on stilts at the entrance to the “Croatan Narrows” from the Pamlico Sound on the southwestern side of Roanoke Island. 

Its purpose was to guide sailors and local fishermen through the small passageway between Roanoke Island and Manns Harbor on the mainland.

 

A travel writer at OuterBanks.com, a visitors’ and relocation guide, said the original Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse “went into service in 1831 but was abandoned after just eight years because of extensive and neglected repairs.” 

“The second Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse was first lit in 1858…and remained in operation for almost 15 years,” according to the writer’s essay. “Unfortunately, by 1872, a combination of sinking marshes, erosion and shipworms had devastated the foundation structure beyond repair.” 

“A third lighthouse was built and completed in 1877, and this one was a white, square structure supported by seven screw piles,” the writer said. “After a few years of trial and error, and several ships accidently banging into the base of the lighthouse, 80 more piles were installed around the base of the lighthouse.” It remained intact for more than 60 years. 

Dr. Kraig Anderson of Lighthousefriends.com. said: “When the Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse was decommissioned in 1955, a local waterman named Elijah Tate acquired the lighthouse. He paid $10, with the condition that he remove the lighthouse.” 

“Rough seas caused the Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse to topple off Tate’s barge and sink into the sound,” Dr. Anderson said. “The effort to retrieve the submerged lighthouse was deemed too great, and the structure was abandoned.” 

“Decades later, the Town of Manteo decided to build a replica of the lighthouse as a ‘bricks and mortar’ component of the community’s 1999 centennial celebration,” he said.

 

“Funding delays, objections by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Hurricane Isabel (2003) all contributed to push the completion date well beyond the centennial year.” 

“Finally, on Sep. 25, 2004, the replica was dedicated…and opened to the public. The Roanoke Island Maritime Museum operates the lighthouse as part of its facilities,” Dr. Anderson said. 

The new Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse is a modest 37 feet tall. Its fixed white light is illuminated every evening to shine out over Shallowbag Bay.

 

John Wilson, who was Manteo’s mayor in 2004, commented at the dedication ceremony: 

“In the years to come, as islanders mingle with visitors along the Manteo waterfront, let us remember that on this spot, where so many vessels have been built and launched, dreams still light the way. Safeguarding the environment, honoring our past and dreaming of a brighter future is Manteo’s shining path.”