Buxton in Dare County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Inching Inland

Cape Hatteras National Seashore

Photographed by Steve Stoessel, May 13, 2026

1. Inching Inland Marker

Inscription. Starting June 17, 1999, engineers began a monumental job: to move the nation's tallest lighthouse away from the shore. First, workers lifted the 4,830-ton structure from its foundation. Then they eased the lighthouse onto a platform atop a 700-foot rail system. Push jacks moved the frame five feet at a time, with each push taking about one minute. As they inched inland, workers dismantled and rebuilt the rail system, creating a smooth path for the lighthouse's journey. On the lighthouse, 60 sensors tracked load, vibration, and tilt to ensure stability.

On July 9, the lighthouse reached its destination, 2,900 feet from its original location and safe from the sea for decades to come by re-establishing the 1,500ft distance from the ocean.

Rolling Along
Rollers served as the lighthouse's "wheels." This roller-smaller than those used during the move-is shown upside down. Flipped over, 100 rollers fit onto the rail system's steel beams.

You are standing on the lighthouse move path. Workers cleared and graded a path over a half-mile long and 100 feet wide. As you walk the path, look out for medallions marking the move's

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progress,

Erected by National Park Service.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical date for this entry is June 17, 1999.

Location. 35° 15.113′ N, 75° 31.565′ W. Marker is in Buxton, North Carolina, in Dare County. It can be reached from Lighthouse Road. Marker is on the bicycle path. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Buxton NC 27920, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Coastal Plain and on the Outer Banks.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in the Tidewater,

and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within one mile of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Keepers of the Light (about 500 feet away, measured

Photographed by Steve Stoessel, May 13, 2026

2. Inching Inland Marker

in a direct line); A Shifting Shoreline, An Imperiled Lighthouse (approx. 0.2 miles away); Life at the Light (approx. 0.2 miles away); Commonwealth War Graves Commission (approx. half a mile away); Honoring Their Sacrifice (approx. half a mile away); Cape Hatteras Lighthouse (approx. 0.9 miles away); Diamond Shoals (approx. one mile away); Welcome to Buxton… (approx. 1.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Buxton.

Another marker is no longer nearby. "Paukenschlag" (was approx. half a mile away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.

Lighthouse Move Path and Circular Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Steve Stoessel, May 13, 2026

3. Lighthouse Move Path and Circular Marker

Lighthouse Move Path Marker - Day 11 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Steve Stoessel

4. Lighthouse Move Path Marker - Day 11

June 27, 1999. Moved 108 feet, 1717 feet to go.

Lighthouse Move Path Marker - Day 12 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Steve Stoessel, May 13, 2026

5. Lighthouse Move Path Marker - Day 12

June 28, 1999. Moved 98 feet, 1619 feet to go.

Lighthouse Move Path Marker - Day 13 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Steve Stoessel, May 13, 2026

6. Lighthouse Move Path Marker - Day 13

June 29, 1999. Moved 288 feet, 1331 feet to go.

Lighthouse Move Path Marker - Day 15 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Steve Stoessel, May 13, 2026

7. Lighthouse Move Path Marker - Day 15

July 1, 1999. Moved 355 feet, 772 feet to go.

Lighthouse Move Path Marker - Day 16 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Steve Stoessel, May 13, 2026

8. Lighthouse Move Path Marker - Day 16

July 2, 1999. Moved 122 feet, 650 feet to do.

Light House Move Path Marker - Day 17 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Steve Stoessel, May 13, 2026

9. Light House Move Path Marker - Day 17

July 3, 1999. Moved 25 feet, 625 feet to go.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 23, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 24, 2026, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York. This page has been viewed 20 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 24, 2026, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York. 3. submitted on June 2, 2026, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York. 4. submitted on May 24, 2026, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York. 5. submitted on June 1, 2026, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York. 6, 7, 8, 9. submitted on June 2, 2026, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York.