You can reach this subtropical island only by passenger ferry or private vessel. The bald head island lighthouse, affectionately nicknamed old baldy, is the oldest lighthouse in north carolina, and it stands ninety feet high. It is the second of three lighthouses that have been built on bald head island since the 19th century to help. Bald head island is a twomile journey across the cape fear river from southport, north carolina and the site of old baldy, the states oldest standing lighthouse, circa 1817. Do you want to know the entry ticket price for bald head island lighthouse. Bald head island is nationally recognized for its sea turtle nesting activity. Another historical presence on bald head is the bald head island lighthouse. A week of fun in the sun and exploring the outdoors. All except bald head, which is privately owned, are electronically operated and under the jurisdiction of the u. To visit the bald head island lighthouse, take hwy 211 south from supply until you reach southport.
The proximity to the maritime market is also convenient. The north carolina lighthouses coloring book includes the following lighthouses. Every year during the first weekend in august, pirates invade the island and old baldy in celebration of national lighthouse day. There is a north carolina forest preserve located on bald head island. Includes two master bedrooms and two large screened porches. Apr, 2017 the bald head island lighthouse better knows as old baldy celebrates its 200th birthday this weekend. The decommissioned bald head lighthouse on bald head island on the cape.
The reverse floor plan and openness of the of the top floor is very comfortable. Jan 16, 2007 our family at the top of the bald head island lighthouse, also known as old baldy. Susan grantier, program coordinator for the old baldy foundation, said no records or blueprints explain why the top of the bald head island lighthouse is offset, but she offered a few guesses. There are so many adventures for families to have together on the island. The run for the light is a fundraiser for the old baldy foundation, a 501c 3 not for profit organization. Never miss a story choose the plan thats right for you. It has both indoor and outdoor seating and is a smooth 20minute ride over to bald head island. By the beginning of the twentyfirst century, there were seven lighthouses still standing in north carolina. The unique structure has undergone some interesting natural and manmade changes.
It was soon apparent the bald head lighthouse had been built too close to the islands shore. Climb to the top of the quaint old baldy lighthouse, visit the neighboring smith island museum of history to learn about bald heads history, watch the loggerhead turtles, or take a guided ghost. Find hotels near bald head island lighthouse, us online. It is the second of three lighthouses that have been built on bald head island since the 19th century to help guide ships past the dangerous shoals at the mouth of the cape fear river. Come inside the keepers cottage to purchase tickets for admission to the museum and north carolinas oldest lighthouse. The 10 best hotels near bald head island lighthouse in bald. Bald head island bald head island rentals bald head island nc.
Bald head island bald head island rentals bald head. Family day trip to bald head island driven by decor. Today, thousands of visitors make the exciting journey each year to beautiful bald head island to learn about the islands rich maritime past at the smith island museum of history and experience old baldy. The old baldy foundation is a nonprofit organization established for the preservation of old baldy lighthouse on bald head island, nc and for the promotion of and education about the manmade histories of smith island. Bald head island history of island bald head association. Upon our arrival at bald head, we went directly to riverside adventure company, which is located within a short walking distance of the ferry landing. The most important purpose of old baldy was to mark the cape fear. Throughout the year, you can take a ferry to bald head island, and then. Sorry, there are no tours or activities available to book online for the dates you selected. Old baldy run for the light august 9, 2020 nc race. Bald head lighthouse, known as old baldy, is the oldest lighthouse still standing in north carolina. Thirty years ago connie failed to prevent the suicide of a fellow wac and then lied at the investigation. The shoals club is next to it which offers great food, a pool, and beach gear. May 15, 2009 the ghosts of bald head island tells of bright, ambitious connie edmonds.
Throughout the year, you can take a ferry to bald head island, and then climb to the top of old baldy. Our family at the top of the bald head island lighthouse, also known as old baldy. Baldy, beach and pirate themed mementos, gifts, books, maps, postcards, clothing. At the ferry dock there are four parking lots labeled ad. Historic site the old baldy foundation united states. Bald head lighthouse preprinted postcard text back. It was tucked into the small neighborhood of lighthouse landings with a very short walk to the dock. It was later replaced by oak islands lighthouse in the 50s. Bald head island lighthouse old baldy bald head island, nc. The 10 best hotels near bald head island lighthouse in. There are 108 steps and 5 landings as well as a ladder in the lantern room from the top of the lighthouse you enjoy a 360 degree view of bald head island. When the bald head island lighthouse was put back into service in 1880, the thirdorder fresnel lens was replaced with a fourthorder fresnel lens making it a harbor beacon. For more information about the ferry call 9104575003. Families are flocking to the beaches of bald head island for spring break.
The tower itself was supposed to be a specific height with walls a certain width, 5 feet thick at the base, for instance, grantier said in an email. Climb to the top of the quaint old baldy lighthouse, visit the neighboring smith island museum of history to learn about bald head s history, watch the loggerhead turtles, or take a guided ghost. The location is very nice, with a golf course view and easy access to the bald head island club and beach access. Bald head lighthouse is the oldest standing lighthouse in north carolina.
Bald head island boasts a maritime forest that is among the largest and most prized examples of its kind on the east coast. Old baldy was built in 1817 and it gives the island a feeling of rich history and nostalgia. The bald head island lighthouse is a mustsee when visiting bald head island. By 1810,officials were required to place wooden breakwaters near the base of the brick lighthouse in an. It is only accessible by ferry from the nearby town of southport.
Bald head island lighthouse bald head island, north carolina. Congress took on responsibility for lighthouse construction and maintenance in 1784, but it was 1792 before funds were appropriated for the bald head light. The clubs golf shop is located in the same building as the fitness center, adjacent to the clubhouse. The mystery at oak island lighthouse adventure book. It has been kept up, but they are still keeping it the way it would be because of the age. The climb to the top is 108 stairs and then by ladder through a rather narrow opening. The ghosts of bald head island tells of bright, ambitious connie edmonds. See more ideas about bald head island, bald heads and fun. Enjoy a wonderful trip to the bald head island lighthouse.
I have been to bald head many times and i love going up and looking across the island. Coloring, educational facts, trivia and activities will provide hours of fun for boys and girls perfect for home, car or even a ship. To access bald head island, visitors must take a privately run passenger ferry that departs southport on the hour, and which glides across the cape fear river on a 20 minute trip to the northern portion. The gift shop at old baldy lighthouse, bald head island nc. The resort town of bald head island is unique for a variety of reasons, but most notable is its transportation both to and around the island. From southport, take 9th street to the bald head island passenger ferry. The island may look familiar to you, this was the island that. Bald head island lighthouse picture 1 bald head island lighthouse picture 2. This was really fun and i love the way it looks inside. The old baldy lighthouse is one of the most distinctive beacons in north carolina for a variety of reasons. Just two miles off north carolinas southern coast, bald head island offers a way of life unlike anywhere else.
There is also a shop that sells books, shirts, and various lighthouse related items. Today, old baldy lighthouse and the adjacent reconstructed keepers cottage are open to the public. Day trip to bald head island wilmington, southport. May 10, 20 susan grantier, program coordinator for the old baldy foundation, said no records or blueprints explain why the top of the bald head island lighthouse is offset, but she offered a few guesses. In 1789, work began on a lighthouse at smith island, also known as bald head island, at the mouth of the river, and plans were also underway to build an ocracoke lighthouse. It is the second of three lighthouses that have been built on bald head island since the 18th century to help guide ships past the dangerous shoals at the mouth of the cape fear river. Today, thousands of visitors make the exciting journey each year to beautiful bald head island to learn about the islands rich maritime past at the smith island museum of history and experience old baldy up close including the climb to the top for a. The murder and betrayal of bald head island police officer davina buff jones. The lighthouse and property on which old baldy stands and the current smith island museum were deeded over to the old baldy foundation by the mitchell family in 1987. The states first lighthouse was built at bald head on smiths island just off southport smithville. Theres more to bald head island than old baldy news. Currituck, bodie island, hatteras, ocracoke, cape lookout, oak island, and bald head island. Oct 29, 2019 bald head lighthouse, known as old baldy, is the oldest lighthouse still standing in north carolina. Bald head lighthouse is commonly referred to as old baldy.
Three additional appropriations were required to cover cost overruns before. To help mark the date, the old baldy foundation commissioned a commemorative book by. Each of the three first lights, however, soon faced even more serious problems. The currituck beach lighthouse, located in the heart of corolla, borders the historic whalehead in historic corolla and still functions as a guide for passing mariners. The 10 best things to do in bald head island 2020 with. The same year, the federal government assumed control of all maritime aids to navigation in the country. Duffus has, in fact, turned in a fine history of the early settlement of. The bald head island lighthouse better knows as old baldy celebrates its 200th birthday this weekend. Bald head island is accessible by passenger ferry from deep point marina located at 1 ferry rd, southport, nc 28461.
Here, the island is dense with live oaks, dogwoods, sabal palms, cedars, yaupons, wax myrtles and junipers. Postedupdated by bryan penberthy on 20304 as commercial activity flourished in north carolina in the mid1700s to the 1800s, wilmington became one of the largest ports in the state. The bald head island lighthouse bald head island, nc. The murder and betrayal of bald head island police officer davina buff jones buff, elaine on. The golf shop stocks an array of mens, womens, and junior golf apparel, golf equipment, and shoes as well as croquet apparel and equipment and general club apparel. In 1991 the old baldy foundation launched a campaign, steps to the top, to repair the steps to.
Old baldy lighthouse on bald head island, pictured in 2002, is a piece of history that draws thousands of people each year. The bald head island lighthouse, also known as old baldy, is one of the oldest structures in north carolina. The wacs father, a prominent senator, vows to make her life miserable. A radio beacon replaced the fresnel lens in the lantern in 1941 until 1958. The actual cape fear itself the point, thanks to island inhabitants and the developer, was purchased from the developer and placed in the smith island land trust, where it will be. Bald head lighthouse bald head island, north carolina the oldest lighthouse in north carolina, bald head, guided marine craft up the cape fear river. For years visitors to old baldy could climb literally at their own risk. Its great for kids and you learn about the history of the lighthouse. The story of cape fear and bald head island by kevin p.
The mission of the old baldy foundation is the historic preservation and maintenance of the old baldy lighthouse, north carolinas oldest standing lighthouse, and historical education and outreach of the rich maritime history of the cape fear region. The north carolina lighthouses coloring book includes a history of the lighthouses, a fresnel lens, and funfilled activities for the kids. Old baldy run for the light august 9, 2020 nc race timing. At 162 feet tall, the lighthouse s first order fresnel light, the largest size available for american lighthouses, can be seen for 18 nautical miles as the light rotates in. Guilt from her actions, added to pressure from the senator, push connie to a nervous breakdown. Bald head island lighthouse, oak island ticket price. Bald head lighthouse is ncs oldest lighthouse and once inside, it looks it. In southport, make a right onto 9th street until it ends at the ferry dock at indigo plantation.
Old baldy lighthouse on bald head island is a piece of history that draws thousands of people each year. We also took a day trip to bald head island, which we last visited in our prekid days. Many of the islands support organizations also began about that time, including the bald head association in 1982 and the bald head island conservancy in 1983. As the oldest standing lighthouse in the state, with the patchworked repairs and rugged exterior to prove it, the structure is an icon in the area, and is quintessentially linked with bald head island. Here are a few of our favorite family things to do during spring. At 162 feet tall, the lighthouses first order fresnel light, the largest size available for american lighthouses, can be seen for 18 nautical miles as the light rotates in 20 second increments. The ocracoke island lighthouse may not be the most imposing of the outer banks lighthouses, but as north carolinas oldest lighthouse in operation, and the second oldest in the united states, it is certainly one of the most beloved. For nearly 200 years, north carolinas oldest standing lighthouse, old baldy, has marked the mouth of the historic cape fear river. I have been there many times and it has always been great.
Dive into the rich history of bald head island by climbing old baldy and touring the smith island museum of history. Bald head island lighthouse 2020 all you need to know before. The island is home to old baldy, the states oldest lighthouse, and is a favorite nesting ground for loggerhead turtles. I love bald head island because i love too walk the beach, bird watch, and bicycle.
Lighthouse board keepers of the light lighting a lighthouse timeline north carolina lighthouses currituck lighthouse bodie island lighthouse roanoke river lighthouse cape hatteras lighthouse ocracoke lighthouse cape lookout lighthouse bald head island lighthouse oak island lighthouse south carolina lighthouses georgetown lighthouse cape. Compared to the city of wilmington to the north, the village of bald head island is small and somewhat remote. Amid the islands 12,000 acres, youll find 10,000 untouched acres of beach, marsh. Enjoy the sweeping views while running at dusk toward the light of the old baldy lighthouse. Welcome to englands blessing on bald head island bald. Loved the peace and quiet, enjoying coffee on the deck, listening to fish jump out on the dock, playing pictionary with the kids, and hosting friends for a chili dinner. This beautiful bald head island vacation rental home offers spectacular views of old baldy lighthouse, a lagoon and the golf course. The run for the light course is a scenic run near coastal dunes and through the maritime forest on bald head island, nc.
Old baldy is a 5minute walk from the ferry landing. It has been kept up, but they are still keeping it the way it. In fact, the original old baldy was always bright white during its years of operation. Bald head island lighthouse 2020 all you need to know. It, unlike the infamous pirates of yore, still remains on the island. The actual cape fear itself the point, thanks to island inhabitants and the developer, was purchased from the developer and placed in the smith island land trust, where it will be left in its natural state, never to be developed. It continued to serve this purpose until its deactivation in 1935. Table of contents introduction all about lighthouses u.
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