As a tour guide specializing in Cape Charles Lighthouse, allow me to paint a vivid picture of this remarkable beacon for you.

Imagine yourself standing on the shores of Smith Island in Northampton County, Virginia. Just offshore, about 600 feet away, stands the towering figure of Cape Charles Lighthouse, a cast iron skeleton structure rising an impressive 191 feet into the sky - making it the tallest lighthouse in Virginia and second tallest in the entire United States!

The current lighthouse, built in 1895, has quite the storied past. Its origins date back to 1828 when the first lighthouse was completed. That one was funded by an $40,000 appropriation from Congress in 1826 - quite a hefty sum for those times! A new tower was approved in 1856, but alas, its construction began during the Civil War and remained unfinished for years due to the turmoil of war.

But lets take you back to what stands before us today. The current lighthouse is an octagonal, pyramidal skeleton tower with a single-flashing white light at a focal plane height of 180 feet above mean water level. This beacon plays a crucial role in ensuring safe passage for mariners navigating the waters around Cape Charles.

So as you stand there, taking in the grandeur and historical significance of this towering structure, remember that its more than just an impressive sight; its a symbol of resilience and survival against time and tide, and its light continues to guide us into the future.