Things To Do Archives - Page 2 of 9 - Bald Head Island NC

The Oak Island Lighthouse

The Oak Island Lighthouse was completed in 1958. It was once the second brightest light in the world. The total cost of construction was $110,000.00 (it would be millions of dollars today!).

The lights are 169 feet above the water. The structure is 148 feet tall, but it stands on a slight hill.

There is no spiral staircase as are found in most older lighthouses, but instead there is a series of ships ladders with a total of 131 steps to the lantern gallery level.

The base is set upon 24 concrete-filled steel pilings 10 3/4 inches in diameter and 67 feet deep. The pilings are capped by a 30 foot wide by 3 foot deep octagonal concrete base upon which the tower structure was built.

The main tower is 128 feet tall, built of monolithic reinforced concrete. It was poured continuously into a movable form that was raised by jacks at the rate of one foot per hour.

To accomplish this task a concrete mixing plant was set up on the site to allow for the continuous 24 hour a day operation for days.

The tower has a uniform inside diameter of 16 feet 4 3/4 inches. The wall is 8 inches thick, and the three stripe color pattern is permanently cast into the concrete.

To establish a color for each section the first forty feet is the natural gray of Portland cement. The next fifty feet was poured with white Portland cement and white quartz aggregate for the white color. The top fifty two feet is gray Portland cement with black coloring.

The smaller diameter concrete section at the top was formed with stationary metal forms after the top floor was poured. Windows in the tower were constructed of stainless steel but sashes have been replace with vinyl.

The 11 foot tall aluminum lantern housing was installed by Marine Corps helicopters. Total height of the structure above the foundation slab is 153 feet.

The characteristic flashing pattern for the light is four one-second flashes every 10 seconds.

The lighting apparatus in the Oak Island Lighthouse is made up of 8 aero beacon lighting fixtures, 4 on top and 4 on the bottom.

When first activated in 1958, the lower bank used carbon-arc mercury lamps in 36-inch reflectors. These reflectors with their housings were adapted from aircraft spotlights used in World War II.

When these lamps were in use the Oak Island light was the second brightest in the world. When the upper bank of lights, comprising of 24 inch theatrical lights and 1,000 watt Quartz lamps became the primary beacon and the bottom were decommissioned, it lost that distinction!

Today the brightest light along this part of the Atlantic coast is the Sullivan’s Island Light near Charleston, South Carolina which was erected in 1962.

Free tours are given on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 10 AM till 2 PM starting on the Wednesday before Memorial Day until the Wednesday After Labor Day. Tours are to the 2nd level ONLY.

· Weekly seasonal tours are only to the 2nd level of the tower, NOT to the observation balcony at the top!

· Children MUST be 7 years or older to enter the lighthouse due to government safety regulations.

· No more than 15 visitors will be allowed inside the tower at any time.

· Visitors are requested not to wear flip-flops, high heels, open-toed or hard leather heels/soles. Sneakers are the preferred shoes.

· Climbers are required to have both hands free for climbing due to the steepness of our steps. No exceptions will be made!

· Weather permitting (visitors are not allowed in the lighthouse if there is lightning in the area)

· There are no Restroom facilities on site

· All tours are free of charge

Beaches are fine after Hurricane Arthur, Ready for July 4th!

Hurricane arthur made its way past the beaches of North Carolina yesterday. And while it was a rainy and windy day, our area fared just fine! 4th of July festivities will all resume today and the weather couldn’t be better!

So put on some red, white and blue, and light up that grill! Happy Independence Day!

Weather Update: Hurricane Arthur

Update: Hurricane Arthur, currently a category 1 is expected to be a category 2 upon landfall.

Hurricane Arthur continues to make it’s way up the coast, and is moving to the north at 6 mph. The storm will move to the north, then northeast. The latest weather update has the storm nearing the Outer Banks early Friday morning. The storm will be at its closest approach to the Brunswick County area Thursday night.

Hurricane Arthur developed from a Tropical Storm into a weak hurricane on Thursday morning, just as it moved off southern North Carolina coastal area. The highest sustained peak winds will occur across portions of Brunswick County Thursday night. Peak gust to around 50 mph are possible, mainly along the immediate coastal areas.

Based on the latest track the bulk of the rainfall generated by Arthur will remain off the coast. One to two inches is possible across the coastal area. Large waves and currents will make the ocean dangerous Thursday through Friday morning. The threat of dangerous rip currents will increase through Thursday, and will persist through all of Friday.

PLEASE NOTE: SWIMMING IS NOT ADVISED DUE TO THE ROUGH SURF AND POTENTIAL FOR STRONG CURRENTS.

Updates will be made as they become available.

Below is a list of Holiday events cancelled or rescheduled due to the storm:

Shallotte Town Concert on July 3rd will be cancelled and rescheduled for a later date.

The NC 4th of July Festival held in Southport will cancel all outdoor events for July 3rd. July 4th events remain the same.

Surf City: Officials have canceled the July 3 Independence Day Concert and Fireworks. Music and fireworks have been rescheduled for Aug. 29.

Carolina Beach Fireworks by the Sea: Fireworks for 9 p.m. July 3 are canceled, but larger weekly displays will be conducted on the following Thursdays for the rest of the summer

WECT Sounds of Summer Concert Series: July 3 concert has been canceled.

Calabash Summer Concert scheduled for July 3rd has been cancelled.

Labor Day Weekend

Labor Day on Bald Head Island is full of summer activities, an art show, delicious food and entertainment. Celebrate the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity and well-being of our country and join us on the island this Labor Day.

Outdoor enthusiasts can choose from a variety of excusions such as crabbing & cast-netting, birding and turlte walks. Shoppers can enjoy several boutiques on the island and Saturday’s Artisan Show & Sale. Competitors may show their strengths in the Adult Tennis Tournament or Turtle Trot Race. Be sure to book your island favorites such as paddleboarding, kayaking and sailing in advance.

On Saturday evening, the Shoals Club will host its’ Annual Labor Day Members Party. This event, happening from 7-11 p.m., will feature entertainment by the Craig Woolard Band and a variety of food samplings. Reservations are required by calling the Shoals Club at 910-454-4888. Party reserved for full members and their accommpanied guests.

On Sunday evening from 6-10 p.m. at the Shoals Club don’t miss the always popular Annual Texas Bar-B-Q featuring North Carolina’s favorite beach music act, Band of Oz. The Texas Bar-B-Q themed buffet will feature slow smoked beef brisket and all the trimmings.

For more information visit the Bald Head Island Shoal’s Club Website.

Great Bald Head Island Holiday Gifts!

Looking for a great holiday gift for someone special? How about a Giclée Print of a local landmark or their favorite vacation spot? Take them back to their beloved Bald Head Island all year long with a print, a book, or a piece of artwork from Islands Art!

Islands Art is proud to offer Giclée prints by nationally renowned local nature photographer and artist, Ken Buckner and Giclée print of original paintings by local artist & author Miller Pope.

All prints fit standard frames including our hand painted textured sand frame, add one to your order for a complete gift for as low as $15.95!

We also have a large selection of local books, cook books, and children’s books. Islands Art is your place for all of your holiday shopping!

You can buy everything at Islands Art & Books store on hwy 179 between Ocean Isle and Sunset Beach or online at: https://islandsartstore.com/

Bald Head Island Lighthouse Print by Ken Buckner

Giclée Print by nationally renowned local nature photographer and artist, Ken Buckner. “I explore beauty with my camera. The photos show the journey” – Ken Buckner

All photos have titles in the white margins and Ken’s signature is printed in the image digitally. A light gray mat is also printed around the white area.

All photos are signed and titled digitally and reproduced as high quality Giclées. A grey mat is printed around the image . All prints fit standard frames.

Buy It Here

Tales of the Silver Coast by Miller Pope and Jacqueline DeGroot

A Secret History Of Brunswick County – From the earliest days of European exploration to the golf courses and beach resorts in this fascinating and fast-growing region, Brunswick County has attracted settlers, invaders, and visitors of all descriptions.

In these pages you’ll read about Steve Bonnet, the “Gentleman Pirate,” who hid his ships in Brunswick’s moss-draped creeks but unfortunately underestimated the ebbing tide; “Mrs. Calabash,” who’s said to have lent her name to the famous sign-off for Jimmy Durante’s classic radio shows; and Topsy the Elephant, who swam for the Brunswick riverbank after breaking loose from circus handlers in the 1920s.

Follow the struggles and victories that shaped Brunswick County, from the first contact of Europeans with native Americans, to successive administrations of the Lords Proprietors, the royal governors, the British crown, and the leaders of a new nation—many at whom hailed from this small but influential corner of North Carolina. Discover Brunswick’s rich Civil War history, scenic roadways and waterways and current-day towns and townships.

Buy It Here

Sand Castle Print by Miller Pope

Giclée Print by nationally renowned local author and artist, Miller Pope.

All photos have titles in the white margins.

All prints are titled digitally and reproduced as high quality Giclées. A light gray mat is also printed around the white area. All prints fit standard frames.

Buy It Here

Favorite Beach Photos by Ken Buckner

Hardcover coffee table edition with 128 high quality 8×10 pages with 100 full color photographs – personally signed by the author.

Stroll sandy shores by the sea or the beaches of a lovely lake and see sunrises, sunsets and wildlife just as nationally renowned local nature photographer and artist, Ken Buckner viewed them through his camera.Most of the photos were taken near his home in the South Brunswick Islands of North Carolina.

The book includes the occasional “story behind the picture.” Ken wants the reader to feel some of the excitement he experienced capturing these special moments in time. “

Buy It Here