Cape Henry Lighthouse in Virginia Beach, Virginia

Atlas Obscura reports that Cape Henry near Virginia Beach is home to two lighthouses: one from seventeen ninety-two, one from eighteen eighty-one. The original was the first construction project authorized by President George Washington and the first lighthouse authorized by the federal government, overseen by Alexander Hamilton. It was built from Aquia sandstone, the same stone used for many buildings in Washington, D.C., and it remains open to the public with panoramic coastal views. A First Landing Memorial on the grounds commemorates English colonists who arrived here in sixteen oh seven.

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