Through the Years

Through the Years. The lighthouse was always threatened by the shifting and eroding sands.. , In 1798, architect Benjamin Latrobe visited the lighthouse and noted issues with the sand. He wrote, "the lighthouse, which sits on a fifty-six-foot high sand dune, creates a whirlwind about it which kicks up the sand and heaps it around the form of a basin. The sandy rim, while it protects the keeper from the storms, renders his habitation one of the dreariest abodes imaginable.", 1844: An 8-foot retaining wall of Gneiss stone was built on the north side of the dune to stabilize the sand and prevent the wind from eroding the sand dune., 1867: The original interior wooden steps and landings in the lighthouse were replaced by the cast iron spiral staircase that is inside the tower today. An interior cylinder of brick was added to support the cast iron staircase., 1878: After the cast iron staircase was installed, cracks began to appear on the exterior of the lighthouse. This encouraged the erection of a new lighthouse at Cape Henry., 1881: The New Cape Henry Lighthouse was completed and lit. Typically, old lighthouse towers would be demolished when a replacement was constructed; however because of the old Cape Henry Lighthouse's historic significance, it remained standing., 1930: The Cape Henry Lighthouse was deeded to the Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities (now Preservation Virginia) provided it was maintained and kept open to the public., 1953: Hurricane Barbara blew the lantern room off of the top of the lighthouse. A replacement lantern room was installed that resembled the original 1792 window configuration.