Assateague Light, Maritime navigation beacon on Assateague Island, Virginia, United States.
Assateague Light is a red and white striped lighthouse on Assateague Island in Virginia, standing about 141 feet (43 meters) tall. Inside, a narrow spiral staircase leads up to the lantern room, where rotating light beams guide ships along the coast.
The current tower was built in 1867 to replace an earlier, shorter lighthouse that did not give ships enough warning along the Virginia coast. Congress ordered the new structure after it became clear that the original tower was too small for the waters it was meant to serve.
The lighthouse stands within the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge and acts as a natural reference point for visitors exploring the shoreline and wetlands. Its red and white stripes are visible from a distance, making it one of the most recognizable landmarks on the island.
The tower is open to climb on Saturdays from April through November, with morning and afternoon sessions available. The interior staircase is narrow and steep, so wear sturdy shoes and take your time going up.
Although the tower is listed as a historic landmark, it still sends out an active light signal used by ships at sea today. This makes it one of the few historic towers on the East Coast that is both open to visitors and in full working use.
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