Roanoke Marshes Light

The Roanoke Marshes Light, on the Manteo waterfront, is a reproduction of a lighthouse of the same name that was located off Wanchese marking the southern entrance to the Croatan Sound. It's an example of a screw-pile light, which were scattered along North Carolina's rivers and sounds to guide mariners in the shallow waters and around treacherous shoals.

These structures were built over the water on a base of 6 or 8 metal pilings that were actually screwed into the riverbed or sound bottom. Original designs were six-side, but were later built with four sides and looked very much like a traditional house that would be built on land.

The first screw-pile lighthouses in North Carolina were constructed prior to the Civil War. While many land-based lighthouses were located in isolated areas, nothing could compare with the isolation keepers of screw-pile lighthouses faced. The 1,000 square-foot structures included living area, office space, watch area and the lantern room.

Boats were hung beneath the lighthouse and food and supplies were also stored there.

Although Lighthouse Service policy sometimes forbade families from living at the screw-pile lighthouses, this rule was often ignored. Fortunately, approaching watercraft could be seen for miles and if it was thought that a lighthouse inspector was making a visit, the keeper's wife and children could hide in the wood closet until the inspection was over.

The reproduction Roanoke Marshes Light marks Shallowbag Bay with a fourth order Fresnel lens. The interior features exhibits about local history.