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This Light was built in Hyde County, on Ocracoke Island, North Carolina in 1823 by Massachusetts builder Noah Porter. The lighthouse stands 75 feet (23 m) tall. Its diameter narrows from 25 feet (7.6 m) at the base to 12 feet (3.7 m) at its peak. The lighthouse was built to help guide ships through Ocracoke Inlet into Pamlico Sound.

In 1864, Confederate troops dismantled the fourth-order Fresnel Lens, but Union forces later restored it.

Ocracoke Light is the oldest operating light station in North Carolina and the second oldest lighthouse still standing in the state. The lighthouse was automated in 1955. During the summer months when there is a U.S. National Park Ranger on duty, visitors may access the base of the lighthouse. Access to the top of the lighthouse is not allowed due to the simple steel spiral staircase being safe only for maintenance activity.

However, this is not the original staircase; the original staircase was a wooden step spiral built into the i...

Charles Hite is a life-long resident of Lexington County, in South Carolina. His professions have included, the U.S. Army (serving in Germany), licensed professional land surveyor, sales/customer service rep, and right-of-way agent with the SCDOT. In addition to photography, his hobbies include astronomy and landscape gardening. His venture into serious photography began in 2009 at age 60. At the encouragement of family and friends, he began selling his photos in late 2012 at Soda City Market in Columbia, SC. His love of nature in all aspects can be seen in his photos. He enthusiastically enjoys sharing the stories of his photos with others, and listening to their stories. Most of his scenic photos are from SC and the Midlands,...