Old Cape Henry Lighthouse, a beacon of history

Roy Bahls - 

The Old Cape Henry Lighthouse stands as a silent sentry at one of our nation's most historic spots - the entrance of the Chesapeake Bay.

The shining beacon became a guidepost for mariners in October 1792 when its whale oil lamps were first fired atop the octagonal sandstone structure. It remained operational for 90 years, and its image adorns the Virginia Beach city seal.

"It was the first federal project of the United States government, commissioned by George Washington in the first session of the first Congress, Aug. 7, 1789," said John Starling.

He has climbed the 191 steps from the base of the hill to the lantern room many times to take in the view.

"Cape Henry is the point where the colonization of our nation began and the downfall of the British rule of the Colonies," he said. "It led to our independence."

Starling, 70, has worked at the lighthouse 34 years, starting as a volunteer after retiring from the Navy after 20 years. In 1995 he became the site coordinator for Preservation Virginia, the nonprofit group that maintains the lighthouse. He is always ready to serve a helping of history.

"The sandstone the lighthouse is constructed from came from the Aquia and Rappahannock quarries here in the commonwealth," he said, "which were the same quarries the Capitol, the White House and Mount Vernon were constructed from."

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