Coastal Virginia Magazine: The First Beacon

It's been in print for awhile, but Coastal Virginia Magazine has finally posted my feature article on Cape Henry Lighthouse in Virginia Beach. 

Constructed in 1792, Cape Henry Light was the very first Federal works project (overseen by none other than George Washington and Alexander Hamilton) and will finally be getting needed repairs and fortification later this year after two decades of planning and fund-gathering. 

The story begins:

By all accounts, John McComb made stuff to last. Born in 1753, the master bricklayer built New York’s City Hall and was also responsible for Gracie Mansion, the New York City Mayoral residence. During his career, he also constructed three lighthouses, all still standing.      

The most famous of these beacons, the old Cape Henry Lighthouse, stands on the edge of First Landing State Park and the Fort Story military base in Virginia Beach, not far from where the original Jamestown settlers made a historic pit stop in 1607.       

Read all about America's "first beacon" by clicking right here.

And for more on Cape Henry Lighthouse, which is owned and maintained by Preservation Virginia, you can go to this spot.