10. Cape Hatteras Lighthouse – Relocation After Erosion
Relentless coastal erosion on North Carolina’s Outer Banks brought the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse dangerously close to the encroaching surf. By 1999, engineers faced a stark choice: risk losing the nation’s tallest brick lighthouse, or undertake a historic relocation. In a remarkable feat, the entire structure was painstakingly moved 2,900 feet inland, safeguarding both its beacon and legacy. This dramatic rescue set a precedent for other threatened coastal lighthouses, as climate-driven erosion continues to reshape shorelines. Discover the full story at the National Park Service.
