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With Hatteras Beacon's short life cycle and short history. This place has been known to withstand many things that nature threw at it. It Was moved many times in the past in Cape Hatteras after its construction in 1855 and made entirely of wood.
The Beacon was looked after by a third assistant that was supervised by the main lighthouse keeper. Until 1897 where it was recorded that it was the final time that it was lit. After, it was shut down and removed with no traces left behind.
Even with its short lifespan, it was able to be added to the light list and the island, which also was home to a small community of people. With that many can enjoy some of the few attractions that remain.
Whether you want to go to the lighthouse station there, go on a nature walk through the woods. Even stop by for some homemade ice cream while playing a game of Mini Golf. Hatteras Beacon has certainly left its mark on here for years to come.
Cape Hatteras is on Hatteras Island, which is one of the barrier islands of North Carolina. The barrier island is known for surviving an onslaught of the wind and sea for thousands of years. With dunes, marshes, and maritime forest making it a unique environment for the winds and waves to shape the features of the beach.
Cape Hatteras National Seashore protects parts of three barrier islands. Which are, Bodie, Hatteras, and Ocracoke Island. Also, a small community known as Buxton resides inland of the Cape, at the widest part of the island.
Buxton
Buxton is an unincorporated community and census-designated place on the island. It is a part of Dare County in North Carolina, and as of the 2010 census, it has a population of around one thousand people.
Being at the widest part of the island, Buxton is the largest community there. Allowing them to have schools and public buildings and offices to operate in. It’s also linked to highway 12 so that it can reach other communities in outer banks.
It is also famous for being the location of Cape Hatteras Light and the beaches surrounding it. As well as the home of the Cape Hatteras Anglers Club. Lastly, it is governed by a commission and is part of district 4.
When it comes to its recreation it’s known for having watersports played on both Pamlico Sound and the Atlantic Ocean. Its most common is surfing where many go to the Gulf stream to participate on the east coast.
For a Fun fact, in May 1942, the body of a British seaman washed ashore on the beach. It’s believed that the seaman came from the HMT Bedfordshire which was sunk by a German U-boat during World War II.
Long story short, a month before that a British sailor from a sunken merchant ship the San Delfino was buried in Buxton. The Seaman that washed ashore a month later was interred adjacent to him. In which a British Cemetery was created.
Cape Hatteras Beacon was constructed in 1855 and was moved around a few times throughout its career. Due to the position that it had, it took on many storms that came from the Atlantic Ocean taking many hits along the way.
It was a short square tower that was constructed using wood. Not much is known, except that it was assigned the third assistant keeper of the lighthouse to look after the beacon. While working under the keeper’s supervision.
According to records, Tilman Smith was the head keeper from 1887 to 1897. Recorded that the last time the beacon was lit was in 1898. After that, it was shut down and replaced by a smaller post light by the point. Unfortunately, there are no traces of the lighthouse as of today.
Sometime after it was taken down. Hatteras Beacon was added to the United States Light list. Where you can find more information ranging from reference numbers and descriptions each year that it was operational.
Even though Buxton is a small island there’s plenty of things to do and go see during your visit here. For example, you can explore the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, which is considered the tallest brick lighthouse on the east coast.
If you love going hikes then the Buxton Woods Nature Trail is the place for you. With the shade and the beauty of nature all around. You can come here after you came from the beach or pay a visit to the lighthouse.
If going to a historic site or taking a nature walk isn’t your thing. You can’t go wrong with Uncle Eddy’s Frozen Custard and 18-Hole Mini Golf. Here you can enjoy homemade custard ice cream, of course, while playing a game of mini-golf with friends and families.
If you’re still not sure what you want to do, then you can’t go wrong with a tour to get some sightseeing in. Hatteras Tours is the right place for the job. Where you can book a trip to see all the major sights on the island. Many people have recommended the trip, even saying how comfortable and educational it was for them.
Lastly, you can’t go wrong with stopping at the gift shop before you leave. With Buxton Village Books filling you can get a hold of non-fiction, contemporary fiction, YA books, even some local history books, and greeting cards. It’s not your traditional gift shop, but gifting a book is the best kind.
However, if books aren’t your thing, then try out the Elegant Attic. Where you can eye antiques and other items for sale. It has been said to be an amazing place to lose track of time in and the staff there are knowledgeable of the history there. So, why not check it out before you go.
After getting accepted to ECU, I started looking for things to do in and around Greenville, NC. However, my searches kept taking me to places in South Carolina! There must be things to do around ECU, so I started asking other students. They kept telling me to graduate and move away! This inspired me to begin exploring eastern North Carolina and build this website as a showcase of the places to go, sights to see, and things to do all over eastern NC. I have fallen in love with this region and started taking up roots here. After graduating, I didn't move away - I bought a house here and continue to explore eastern North Carolina.
