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Structural Concerns Close Cape Lookout Lighthouse

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By NPT Staff - March 28th, 2021

The Cape Lookout Lighthouse won't open to the public this year due to structural issues/NPS

Structural concerns with the Cape Lookout Lighthouse at Cape Lookout National Seashore in North Carolina  have forced its closure until repairs can be made. Renovations could take two years.

During a preseason safety inspection in February, engineers raised concerns with flooring and rails on the lighthouse gallery, separations between the iron stairs and masonry, cracks in the iron landing plates, and separation from the iron stairs and the central support.

As a result of these safety concerns, the lighthouse will not be open for climbing this season, the National Park Service announced Friday.. The Cape Lookout Lighthouse Keepers Quarters Museum, located near the base of the lighthouse, will be open.

Cape Lookout Lighthouse is scheduled to begin a major renovation this fall/winter that will address these issues and many other needed repairs. As plans are finalized for the renovation, the park staff will provide dates for the scheduled re-opening.

The Cape Lookout Lighthouse stands 163 feet tall and was designed and constructed between 1857–1859. Since then, there have been numerous times that the lighthouse underwent repairs and upgrades to various aspects of the tower. Most recent repairs to the tower included repairs to the cast iron flooring and rails around the gallery. These safety-oriented repairs took place in 2010 to allow visitors to tour the iconic structure.  

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