Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse
Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse sits quietly along Shallowbag Bay, extending about 40 yards out over the water on a charming pier. More like a cozy coastal cottage than a traditional towering beacon, this distinctive lighthouse features bright white siding, black shutters, and a rich red roof. At the top, a historic-style Fresnel lens adds to its character. A walk down the wooden boardwalk leads visitors to peaceful waterfront views and a scenic overlook of the beautiful Roanoke Sound.
The Roanoke Marshes Light name has a long and fascinating history. Two earlier lighthouses built in the 1800s once carried the same name, but both were eventually lost due to harsh coastal conditions, weakened foundations, and years of needed repairs. The lighthouse standing today is a replica of the third Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse, originally built in 1877 in the village of Wanchese on the southern end of Croatan Sound. For local sailors and fishermen, that small but dependable light played an important role in guiding safe passage around Roanoke Island.
As navigation technology improved over time, the original lighthouse was decommissioned in 1955 and later sold to a private owner. Unfortunately, it was lost to the sound during an attempt to relocate it.
The current Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse was completed and dedicated on September 25, 2004, alongside the nearby George Washington Creef Boathouse. Built in the classic screw-pile style, the lighthouse now serves as both a landmark and a small museum, featuring educational displays and maritime exhibits. Among its highlights is a Fresnel lens from the 1800s, on loan from the U.S. Coast Guard to the Town of Manteo. Though modest in size, Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse remains a meaningful piece of the Outer Banks’ maritime heritage.
Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse History
The original Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse, built in 1831
A charming waterfront beacon in Manteo
A small lighthouse with a rich Outer Banks history
Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse as seen at noon.
The Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse in Manteo, North Carolina, is a faithful recreation of the third lighthouse to carry that name, originally built in 1877. Construction of the present-day replica began in 2003 and was completed on September 25, 2004. Today, the lighthouse serves as a small maritime museum where visitors can explore educational exhibits and view an original 19th-century Fresnel lens on loan from the U.S. Coast Guard.
The story of Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse stretches back nearly two centuries. The first lighthouse, built in 1831, was constructed to help guide vessels through Croatan Sound, but over time it fell into poor condition and was eventually abandoned. A second structure replaced it in 1858. This hexagonal lighthouse played its role during a turbulent period in history, including the Civil War, before severe erosion and foundation damage forced it out of service by 1872.
In 1877, a third lighthouse was built in a white, square screw-pile design. It remained in operation for more than 60 years and even required extra support piles after being struck by passing ships. By 1955, advances in modern navigation made the lighthouse unnecessary, and it was decommissioned and sold to a private owner. During an attempt to move the structure inland, it fell into the water and was lost.
The lighthouse visitors see today honors that legacy with an authentic 37-foot-tall reconstruction of the 1877 design. Set along a boardwalk in Shallowbag Bay, it is an easy and scenic stop for those visiting downtown Manteo. More than just a replica, the lighthouse stands as a tribute to the area’s maritime past and the community effort that helped preserve this important piece of Outer Banks history.
Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse
104 Fernando Street
Manteo, NC 27954
Hours
Monday - Friday
9am to 5pm
Contacts
252-475-1750
252-473-4101
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse free to visit?
Yes, Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse in Manteo, North Carolina, is a charming cottage-style replica of the 1877 original and one of the town’s most inviting waterfront landmarks. Set in Shallowbag Bay at the end of a scenic wooden pier, the lighthouse welcomes visitors free of charge to enjoy maritime exhibits and view a historic Fresnel lens that helps tell the story of the area’s coastal heritage.
How tall is the Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse?
The Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse stands approximately 37 feet tall. Rather than rising high above the shoreline like many Outer Banks lighthouses, this river-style beacon is a modest one-story structure with the charm of a compact waterfront cottage.
Is this the original Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse?
1831: The first Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse was built, but it was later abandoned.
1858: A second lighthouse replaced the original, though it too was eventually abandoned due to erosion.
1877: The third lighthouse was constructed and served for decades before being decommissioned in 1955.
Is the Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse a real lighthouse?
Built in the style of a traditional screw-pile lighthouse, this replica honors the kind of structure once used to safely direct water traffic through rivers and sounds. Today, rather than guiding vessels, it preserves local history as a museum and heritage site.
How can the Lighthouse survive being in the water?
Built in the traditional screw-pile style, the structure stands on piles embedded into the sound bottom, a design created to improve stability in coastal waters.
