The Cape Henry Lighthouse is the first federally funded public works project of the newly formed United States government. It was authorized by George Washington and overseen by Alexander Hamilton in 1792. Today the lighthouse is located in the Fort Story Army and Navy Base. It sits on the southern entrance to Chesapeake Bay. I was a little concerned because you have to enter the military base and was not sure if they would search my vehicle. Weapons are not allowed to be brought on the base and I also have bear spray. They check you at the gate, run a check on your license or passport, but you really don’t drive into the base. You park just inside the gate and a shuttle takes you to the lighthouse.
Not only is the lighthouse historic, but after four and a half months crossing storm swept seas 144 weary Englishmen made land-fall in April 1607. They anchored their ships in the protected waters of the bay and landed a small party upon the shore. They built a wooden cross and planted it in the sand naming the place Cape Henry. They would travel down the Chesapeake and establish America’s first colony, Jamestown.
There are 191 steps to the top and you can still climb the lighthouse. It was de-commissioned 1881 and a new Lighthouse is just yards away. You cannot visit the new Black and White Lighthouse as it is still an active lighthouse run by the Coastguard.
