Interior of Ocracoke

My daughter just sent me these photos from inside the base of Ocracoke Lighthouse. Apart from the fact that she referred to her mother as a lighthouse freak while talking to the volunteer, I was very happy that she was reporting back on her visit. They are just cell phone pictures...


Maybe I will get there this summer.

Thanks Laura. We know that "lighthouse freak" is an acceptable synonym for "lighthouse wacko".

Those are some unusual spiral staircase. I can't recall seeing such steps that weren't butted up against the inside walls.

Anyone else know of another lighthouse with "free-standing" spiral stairs like these?

Key West has similar stairs. I will have to post a pic when I get home.

You can see in the second photo that the current stairs are not the originals. You can see where the old stairs used to connect to the outer wall.

Lighthouse Freak = Lighthouse Wacko = Lighthouse Loon

She said these stairs were added in 1952. I found this link for Key West stairs
stairs

Thanks for your daughters pics, they are real good phone images..

Cape Florida has free standing stairs also. When we climbed it a couple years ago the whole stairway kind of sways back and forth - not a real secure feeling. But according to the ranger there at the time, it's perfectly normal and safe.

Larry