Cape Henry Lighthouse in Virginia Beach, VA got its origin in 1792, when it was the first lighthouse to be authorized by the United State government. George Washington is the man the helped to finalize the construction of the lighthouse. Laban Goffigan was the first person to light up Cape Henry. It was also the first construction project set up by the federal government via the Constitution for a fee of $15,200 in addition to the $2,500 needed to do the lighthouse until it was completed. The total cost was more than $2,000 of the original estimate. The location of the lighthouse is Cape Henry, which is actually a headland or cape situated on the Atlantic shoreline in Virginia.
The Cape Henry Lighthouse is very important for shipping goods across the ocean from it harbor to different ports of Chesapeake Bay as well as harbors and rivers along the way.
The original Cape Henry Lighthouse was obtained by the Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities in 1930. After this acquisition, they added an iron stairway and brick lining to the original structure. It still stands in its original location next to a newly built lighthouse, giving the area two lighthouses. The public is welcome to view the Cape Henry Lighthouse on a seasonal schedule. The lighthouse has also been designated a Historic Landmark.
Since the Cape Henry Lighthouse is located near the Fort Story military base, you must go through the security gates of Fort Story. You must present a photo id if you are 18 or older. For security purposes, you may also have your vehicle searched before you're allowed to enter the base. While you're there, visit the museum store that's at the site.
