Compared to the other lighthouses on the North Carolina coast, the Bodie Island Lighthouse has arguably the most interesting history, beginning with its name. Originally spelled "Body" and still pronounced that way by the locals, there are several beliefs about the origins of this name. Some believe that the island was named after a family with the last name "Body," while others believe that the name derives from the island being a "body" of land. However, the most well known belief is that Bodie Island was the point where all of the bodies from the shipwrecks of North Carolina's infamously dangerous coastline would wash to shore. This last belief, of course, would make for a very good reason to build a lighthouse in this spot.
Construction on the third and final Bodie Island Lighthouse began in 1871 and was completed a year later in 1872. Standing at 156 feet tall, the lighthouse was fitted with a First Order Fresnal lens that can be seen for 19 nautical miles. The Bodie Island Lighthouse is distinguished by it black and white stripes as well as a flash pattern of 2.5 seconds on, 2.5 seconds off, 2.5 seconds on, then 22.5 seconds off.
While the lighthouse is still operational, it is in need of major repairs and not open to the public. It currently owned by the National Park Service and part of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore.
The Bodie Island Lighthouse is 165' tall The stripes on the lighthouse are 22' tall There are 214 steps to the top of the lighthouse The Bodie Island Lighthouse has a range of 19 nautical miles
Bodie Island Lighthouse Links
The National Park Service's Bodie Island Lighthouse Page
Bodie Island Information and Photo Galleries
Bodie Island Lighthouse@Outerbanks.com
