Fort Story in Virginia Beach, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Old Cape Henry Lighthouse
1791
Photographed by Kevin W., September 27, 2014
1. Old Cape Henry Lighthouse Marker
Land given by the State of Virginia 1789
First Lighthouse built by the United States Government
Deeded by Congress in 1930 to the Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities
Erected by Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Lighthouses series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1789.
Location. 36° 55.533′ N, 76° 0.47′ W. Marker is in Virginia Beach, Virginia. It is in Fort Story. It is on Atlantic Avenue just east of Cape Henry Road, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Virginia Beach VA 23459, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Virginia’s Hampton Roads, specifically in Coastal Virginia, and in the Hampton Roads Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, and in the Tidewater. 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 walking distance of this marker: A different marker also named Old Cape Henry Lighthouse (here, next to this marker); Through the Years (within shouting distance of this marker); First Public Works Project of the United States Government (within shouting distance of this marker); History of Cape Henry Lighthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Aids to Navigation (within shouting distance of this marker); The Cottages of Cape Henry at Fort Story
this page online
Also see . . . Old Cape Henry Lighthouse. Preservation Virginia Website entry:
(The successor to the Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities) (Submitted on September 29, 2014, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia.)
Photographed by Kevin W., September 27, 2014
2. Old Cape Henry Lighthouse Marker
Marker is in the alcove to the right and below the lighthouse.
Photographed by Larry Gertner, May 25, 2021
3. Cape Henry Lighthouse
NPS National registry of Historic Places nomination form
Click for more information.
Click for more information.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 21, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 29, 2014, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,118 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on September 29, 2014, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. 2. submitted on September 30, 2014, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. 3. submitted on May 25, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.
