The First and Second Cape Henry Lighthouses are located close together and are both designated as National Historic Landmarks.
The First Lighthouse was constructed in 1792 and was the first federal construction project under the Constitution. The original contract amount was for $15,200, but an additional $2,500 was required to finish the project. (This seems to have set a precedent for Federally funded construction project cost overruns!)
The Lighthouse design was based on the 1767 Cape Henlopen Light and the structure was built of Aquia and Rappahannock sandstone and described as "an octangular truncated pyramid of eight sides, rising 90 feet to the light." Dimensions of the lighthouse were 26 feet in diameter at the base and 16 fee in diameter at the top. Aquia Creek sandstone was used for constriction and the sandstone used was from the same source as the sandstone used for the White House.
During the Civil War the lighthouse was damaged by Confederate forces, but it was repaired by Union Forces in 1863 because they needed the light for navigation purposes.
In the 1870s the lighthouse was struck by lightning that caused a large crack in the structure, so in 1881 a new light was constructed 350 feet to the northeast of the original lighthouse.
The new lighthouse was built of cast iron and is 157 feet tall.
In the same general area (GPS: 36 55 38.50, -76 00 30.12) there is an amphibious vehicle on display and while I was taking pictures, Navy Helicopters keep flying by. Maybe picture taking was not allowed, but I did not see any warning signs.
The Battle of Chesapeake Capes (also known at the Battle of the Virginia Capes) was a crucial naval battle during the Revolutionary War and was the only British Royal Navy defeat in the 18th and 19th centuries. It has been reported that "The victory by the French fleet prevented the Royal Navy from resupplying the forces of General Lord Charles Cornwallis at Yorktown, Virginia. It also prevented interference with the supply of troops and supply from New York to the armies of General George Washington through Chesapeake Bay. As a result, Cornwallis surrendered after the Battle of Yorktown and Great Britain later recognized the Independence of the Unites States." There is a nice boardwalk from the parking lot that leads to a lookout point of the Atlantic Ocean. (Mary said that the vines with blue berries look like Virginia Creepers!)
Also, at the same location, there is a Memorial Cross that was erected in 1935 by the Daughters of the American Colonists, recognizing that on April 26, 1607 colonist from England first landed at Cape Henry before continuing up the James river to establish James Fort on May 14, 1607.
The Chapel of St.Theresa is located on the base of Fort Story, but the chapel is open to the public.
I drove across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge/Tunnel; but I either did not take any pictures of the bridge, or I somehow misplaced the pictures. However, I did walk out on a pier to take some pictures of Chesapeake Bay.
The Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge is located north of the Chesapeake Bay bridge/tunnel on the Delmarva Peninsula. Before becoming a wildlife refuge, the land was part of Fort John Custis. Because of its strategic location at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay, this was an important fort. During WW II the military built large bunkers that housed 16-inch guns to protect naval bases and shipyards in the Virginia Beach and Norfolk areas in case of an attack from hostile forces.
There was also a nice pier near Cape Charles and not too far away was an abandoned rail line.
While we were in the area, we also drove by an ornate Methodist Church. The church had an interesting history, but I somehow misplaced my notes and I can not remember the name of the church or the history. Maybe it was not even a Methodist Church!
Since it was getting late in the evening, we stopped for dinner at the Bay Creek Resort and watched the sun set over Chesapeake Bay.
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