Cape Henry Lighthouse
Comisioned in the first session of the first Congress of the United States of America in 1789, this lighthouse became the the first federally funded project in our country
It was built to guide maritime commerce at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay.
Standing near the “First Landing” site where English settlers arrived in 1607
Stood sentinel since it was completed in 1792
Authorized by George Washington and overseen by Alexander Hamilton
Designed by New York architect John McComb
It was built with Aquia Creek sandstone from the same source as the White House, Mount Vernon and the US Capital buildings.
The lighthouse was damaged by Confederate forces during the American Civil War, but was repaired by Union forces in 1863, who depended on the light for navigation.
In active use for nearly a century before being replaced by a new cast iron lighthouse still standing nearby.The lighthouse was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1964 and a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark in 2002.
"New" Cape Henry Lighthouse
The second Cape Henry Lighthouse was completed in 1881 and sits approximately 350 feet from the first lighthouse.
This lighthouse is maintained and operated by the U.S. Coast Guard, has been automated and remains in service today. It is not open to the public.
At 157 feet tall, it is the tallest cast-iron, fully enclosed lighthouse in the United States.
Its black and white checkerboard pattern is one of the most distinctive daymarks to be found on a lighthouse anywhere in the world.
Fort Story, a military base operated by the U.S. Navy, lies within the city of Virginia Beach. Visitors should be aware that you must enter through Fort Story's security gates. All visitors over the age of 16 will be required to present valid identification.
First Landing
The Plaque Reads:
HERE AT CAPE HENRY FIRST LANDED IN AMERICA, UPON 26 APRIL 1607, THOSE ENGLISH COLONIST WHO, UPON 13 MAY 1607, ESTABLISHED AT JAMESTOWN VIRGINIA, THE FIRST PERMANENT ENGLISH SETTLEMENT IN AMERICA.
