The oldest standing lighthouse in North Carolina, Old Baldy has maintained its original form and location for over 187 years. Its purpose was to mark the Cape Fear River entrance for the maritime sailors. Built in 1817 of soft red bricks covered with stucco, the lighthouse keeper would white wash Old Baldy every two years. Once discontinued, large pieces of the stucco began to fall off the lighthouse, and today Old Baldy looks like a patch work quilt of different stuccos. (From Smith Island Museum of History)
