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Norfolk City Lighthouse Lighthouse

Fl White 10s🇺🇸Hampton, USOperational

Location & Light Range

About Norfolk City Lighthouse Lighthouse

This cylindrical cast iron lighthouse, built in 1914, stands 12 meters tall on an iron caisson. Its red tower is topped with a black lantern, and it emits a white flash every 10 seconds, visible for 12.3 nautical miles. The structure integrates a three-story keeper's house and galleries. It was established in 1914, replacing earlier screwpile lights, and has undergone significant restoration and repairs. The lighthouse was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2002.

Why it matters: Recognized on the National Register of Historic Places, this lighthouse marks a high-traffic area where the Elizabeth River estuary meets Hampton Roads, guiding vessels near the port of Hampton Roads.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl White 10s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White
Interval
10s
Raw Code
Fl W 10s
Focal Height
16.5m
Geographic Range
12.3NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1914
Heritage Status
National Register of Historic Places 2002

Significant events: Previous screwpile lighthouse burned in 1880; another screwpile lighthouse burned in 1909 after a collision with a ship; current lighthouse established 1914; extensively restored by Coast Guard in 1988; repainted and repaired in 1997; placed on National Register of Historic Places in 2002; offered for transfer under NHLPA in 2003-04 with no applications; sold at auction for $65,000 to Peter Jurewicz in 2005; endangered in 2021

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Hampton Roads(5.3 km)
Admiralty No.
J1416
USCG No.
2-9310
ARLHS No.
USA-842

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
12m
Tower Shape
cylindrical
Tower Color
red with black lantern
Material
cast iron

Structure: A 12m (40 ft) round sparkplug-style cast iron tower with lantern, upper and lower galleries, and an integrated 3-story keeper's house, mounted on an iron caisson. It is painted red with a black lantern.

Location

City
Hampton
Country
🇺🇸United States
Region
Virginia
Sea Region
Thimble Shoal, Chesapeake Bay, near Norfolk, Virginia, marking a high-traffic area where the Elizabeth River estuary meets Hampton Roads
Latitude
37.0146°
Longitude
-76.2397°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Norfolk City Lighthouse Lighthouse at night?+
Norfolk City Lighthouse displays the characteristic Fl White 10s. Each lighthouse has a unique flash pattern published in the List of Lights, allowing mariners to positively identify it and distinguish it from other navigation aids in the area. The white color may indicate a specific sector or warning zone.
Which ports and harbors does Norfolk City Lighthouse Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Norfolk City Lighthouse Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is HAMPTON at 5 NM to the W. Other ports served include Hampton Roads (5.3 NM WSW), Hampton Roads Pt (6 NM WSW), LANGLEY (6.2 NM NW), Norfolk (8.7 NM SW). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Norfolk City Lighthouse Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Norfolk City Lighthouse Lighthouse is currently operational. It is actively maintained and continues to emit its characteristic light signal for marine navigation. Most modern lighthouses are automated and monitored remotely by the national maritime authority.
What shipping routes pass near Norfolk City Lighthouse Lighthouse?+
Norfolk City Lighthouse Lighthouse is located within the US East Coast shipping lane — a major shipping corridor serving ports along the Atlantic seaboard of the United States. This makes it an important navigation reference for commercial shipping traffic in the region.
How can I track vessels near Norfolk City Lighthouse Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Norfolk City Lighthouse Lighthouse in real time using MarineRadar. The platform shows live AIS positions of ships in the area, including vessel name, type, flag, speed, and course. Use the "Track Vessels Nearby" button on this page to open the live map centered on this lighthouse.