Cape Hatteras Lighthouse

Lighthouses Short & Tall

Cape Hatteras Lighthouse

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Readers Guide

Refer to page 15 of Lighthouses Short and Tall for Cape Hatteras Lighthouse

This description of Cape Hatteras Light contains some new words. Do you wonder what frustum means? Plinth? Quoin? Cornice? You can look them up.

Each light has its distinctive markings as well as its distinctive light pattern. Why would it be important to identify a lighthouse in the daytime? Why would that matter? How would mariners know the different patterns?

Early airplane pilots followed roads and railroads and navigated by landmarks such as lighthouses before planes had sophisticated navigational equipment.

How many steps in the tower? Find out at the website "Climbing the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse"

Cape Hatteras Light Station in the late 19th century

Fifth Lighthouse District

Can you find Cape Hatteras Lighthouse on this map? What is the light's characteristic?

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Source: 1881 Annual Report of the U.S. Light-House Board

Sandbags being placed before a storm to protect the tower at its old location.

Do you wonder how it was possible to move the tallest lighthouse in the United States? You’ll find photos and a description on the Internet at www.nps.gov/caha/lrp.htm

This Reader's Guide is intended to be used with Lighthouses Short and Tall, a book for readers 11 and up written by Mary Louise and Candace Clifford. It is available from the publisher, Cypress Communications, by using their book order form.

For more information contact books@lighthousehistory.info