Outer Banks Link Love: 1.20.12 – Lots o’ Local News

Posted on January 20, 2012

Outer Banks Link Love

Here’s this weeks love for all of the links I couldn’t get to. A bunch of local OBX news to pass on.

Enjoy the link love…

Congrats to local Outer Banks surfer, Kim Diggs for landing a full-page spread in the new Surfing magazine. Always great to see an OBX local hit the big time.
New Outer Banks bridge one step closer to being a reality. The final environmental impact study was just released for the Mid-Currituck bridge. What do you think, does the OBX need another bridge?
The Bodie Island Lighthouse restoration is back on! After almost a year in hiatus, the additional funding for the project has been approved, and work should start at the Lighthouse by late February. Hopefully we’ll be climbing to the top come fall!
The Coast Guard earned their pay this week, and hauled in a sailor from a sinking sailboat off of Hatteras.
There’s no doubt Lowe’s is on the OBX. And now that they are here, they are bringing 125 jobs with them.
Looks like NatGeo is going to do a feature on the Outer Banks. We have to wait until June to see it, but pretty cool.
Are you aware that the Outer Banks has some fantastic golf courses? And you can setup an OBX golf package so you can play them all! Sweet.
Check out this awesome story about a horse trainer working with the Outer Banks wild horses. The wild horse whisperer?!
Got any OBX Civil War artifacts? The Outer Banks History Center is on the hunt for OBX Civil War memorabilia for an upcoming exhibit.
Any country music fans out there? How about Randy Thompson fans? Seems that good ol’ boy Randy enjoyed New Year’s on the Outer Banks. Love OBX celebrity sightings!
We’ve been sharing a lot of Outer Banks Everyday Magic stories recently, and here’s a great OBX story that wasn’t so magical…then again, maybe an adventure that turns into a lifelong family story is magical.
I’m not sure if the OBX needs saving, but just in case, here’s your chance to save the Outer Banks.

Outer Banks Lighthouse Exhibit

Posted on March 4, 2011

Outer Banks - Bodie Island Lighthouse Aerial, Restoration

Have you seen the Bodie Island Lighthouse lately? Surrounded by scaffolding the lighthouse is getting a make-over and will be the subject of an upcoming exhibit this Friday March 4, hosted by the Outer Banks History Center.

The news is a sigh of relief from previous reports that the Outerbanks Lighthouse Restoration Hits a Snag, noting multiple safety issues that could substantially delay completion of the restoration process.

Did you know there have been three Bodie Island Lighthouses?! This historic lighthouse, first lit in 1872, is welcoming its 3^rd large restoration project. The first Bodie Island Lighthouse sunk in on one side because of poor foundation and the second one was demolished by Confederate soldiers. The third time will surely be a charm.

Be sure to join the friends of the OBHC, the staff and members of the Outer Banks Lighthouse Society for the opening reception Friday March 4, 2011 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Here you will be able to learn more about this historic lighthouse as well as other early Navigational Aids in America. You can also enjoy a lighthouse keeper’s favorite meal of biscuit and beans and further information on the restoration of this famous OBX landmark.

Outer Banks Lighthouse Restoration Hits a Snag

Posted on January 20, 2011

Bodie Island Lighthouse Restoration

The Bodie Island Lighthouse had been going through major repairs in a restoration effort, and unfortunately, the restoration process has uncovered further issues.

The repairs uncovered significant safety issues as layer upon layer of paint and corrosion were removed. The process revealed troublesome cracks and breaks in the structural supports that hold the balcony and affect the stability of the top of lighthouse.

The cracks and breaks need to be repaired asap so the progress that has been made isn’t lost.

The structural issues will delay progress on the project and require additional funding. The National Park Service is currently seeking additional funding at the Federal and regional levels, and the project will be paused until the additional funding is secured.

Once the project is completed, the Bodie Island Lighthouse will be opened to the public for climbing.

Outer Banks Nature at Bodie Island Lighthouse

Posted on March 31, 2010

Bodie Island Lighthouse - Outer Banks

Bodie Island Lighthouse is a main Outer Banks attraction, but what most visitors do not realize is the that there is a series of trails that offer some of the most scenic walks the OBX has to offer.

The trails wind through the marsh south of Oregon Inlet and through the nearby Bodie Island Lighthouse. These trails are not extremely difficult to find. Head south on Route 12 and turn toward Bodie Island Lighthouse. You will have to keep an eye out for the entrance, but it is opposite from Coquina Beach.

For a little history, Bodie Island was once called Bodies’ Island, allegedly because bodies of shipwrecked sailors washed on shore there. The lighthouse is very close to Oregon Inlet, where many ships have been shipwrecked over the years.

There is an account in “An Outer Banks Reader,” by C. O. Boutelle of a Mr. Midgett who lived on the island and couldn’t get to his house one September storm in 1846 because of the high water. He had to sit on his horse during the storm and hope his home and family were okay while the sound and ocean did their work of cutting a new inlet.

Bodie Island Lighthouse Restoration

You may wonder why there are hunting lodges in the sound if you cross the Bonner Bridge. Both Bodie Island and Pea Island to the south have been the winter home of many species of birds for hundreds of years. You will not want to forget your binoculars and bird identifier book so you can add a few new feathered folk to your life list.

The current events at Bodie Island Lighthouse are pretty active; the lighthouse is currently under some much need renovation, so hopefully the view from the top will be available in the near future.

Progress Made on Outer Banks Lighthouse Restoration

Posted on February 11, 2010

Bodie Island Lighthouse

Progress on Bodie Island Lighthouse Restoration Project

Bodie Island Lighthouse in the Cape Hatteras National Seashore is in the process of undergoing major restorations. As the project progresses, the National Park Service will provide periodic updates.

The work is being accomplished by restoration contractors, Progressive Contracting Company, LLC from Edenton, NC, United Builders Group, LLC from New Bern, NC and the metal restoration work will be handled by Enberg Mold and Tool from Jacksonville, FL.

Despite inclement weather, the work is progressing very well. Work accomplished to date includes:

Exterior scaffolding erection is 98% complete
Documentation of existing windows that will require repair
Work with the negative air contractor to put a system in place while the work is conducted
Metal patterns being made and molded
Temporary shed structure at Oil House 50% complete
Interior scaffolding started
Temporary interior floor protection installed

For more information on this project, contact the Public Affairs Office at 252-473-2111 ext. 148.

Outer Banks Lighthouse Set for Restoration

Posted on September 11, 2009

Bodie Island Lighthouse Bodie Island Light Station is set for much needed restoration.

The grounds and surrounding buildings are in the first stages of preparation for major restoration at the Bodie Island Light Station, just south of Nags Head.

Three historic buildings were recently relocated from the oceanfront to the station’s entrance road in preparation for rehabilitation. Two of the buildings that were relocated, a boathouse built in 1916 and a life saving station from 1879, will be secured on pilings near the lighthouse on the west side of N.C. 12 and prepared for future use. The buildings are expected to be used as a ranger station and garage. The third building, a Coast Guard station built in 1925, will be boarded up until funds are secured to restore it. It’s future use is still undecided, but it could become a visitor center, lifeguard housing or education center. Once funds are secured for the restoration, there will be a public meeting to determine future use.

The restoration project is estimated at $4.5 million. In addition to the restoration of the three buildings, the project will include:

Restoration of the tower and original lens from 1872. Workers this month are prepping the lighthouse by removing the original First Order Fresnel lens.
A new boardwalk from the lighthouse to the Pamlico Sound
Replacing the roof and walkway at the lightkeeper’s station
Widening the entrance road and adding bike paths

When the project is completed visitors will be able to climb the to the top of the lighthouse and see the amazing view of the Atlantic Ocean and Pamlico Sound for the first time in decades. The improved light station should develop increased popularity because visitor’s have not been able to climb it for so long, and it is located in close proximity to the more urban areas of Nags Head, Kill Devil Hills, and Kitty Hawk.

Outer Banks Lighthouse Being Restored

Posted on June 19, 2009

Ocracoke Lighthouse is getting some much needed maintenance.

The 65-foot white lighthouse, built in 1823, will be closed for up to six months, most likely beginning in early August.

The renovations will include restoration of the metalwork on the 80 steps of the spiral staircase, repainting walls and cast iron and installing new lightning protection.

Funds Secured for Outer Banks Lighthouse Restoration

Posted on April 30, 2009

Funds have been secured for the restoration of the Bodie Island Lighthouse.

It is estimated that the project will cost a total of $3 million. The project consists of repairing corrosion, repairing of a portion of the spiral staircase, and the replacement of the $100,000 1^st Order Fresnel lens that sits on top of the lighthouse.

Secondary focus will be paid to the restoration of masonry and stone, rehabilitations to sections of the flooring windows and framing, and an upgrading on electrical systems.

The project is scheduled to begin in August and should be completed within 18 months.

Outer Banks Lighthouse Misses Out on Restoration Contest

Posted on October 31, 2008

Bodie Island Lighthouse was one of three finalists in a national lighthouse restoration contest that ended September 7. Jeld-Wen Windows & Doors held the contest to determine which lighthouse was most deserving of new windows and doors.

The New Canal Lighthouse in New Orleans was announced as the winner this week.

Bodie Island Lighthouse is in dire need of restoration, and these new windows and doors would have been a welcomed improvement, but unfortunately it will have to wait for next year’s contest. In the meantime, restoration is under progress, but funds are very limited.

Outer Banks Lighthouse Chosen as a Finalist for Restoration

Posted on September 25, 2008

Bodie Island Lighthouse, located in the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, has been selected as a finalist in a restoration contest sponsored by JELD-WEN of Klamath Falls, Ore., a window and door manufacturer.

The lighthouse is one of three finalists. 50 lighthouses were nominated initially, and the public poll cut 12 finalists to three last week. The finalists are Bodie Island, Grand Traverse Lighthouse in Michigan, and New Canal Lighthouse in Louisiana.

JELD-WEN will evaluate the lighthouses and determine a winner later this year.