Lighthouses are built along coasts to signal to passing ships. Lighthouses are tall buildings of wood or stone or brick with large bright lights on top.

 Every night they shine lights to warn ships about dangerous areas where there are rocks, low water levels, or strong currents.

The lighthouses along North Carolina's coast are recognized as signs of safety for travelers at sea

Over the years, fierce ocean storms have sent many ships crashing into the North Carolina coast. Other boats have been lost in wars. During World War Two, for example, German submarines sank many allied transport ships in that area. History experts say more than 600 ships have been wrecked near the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Storms still uncover the ruins of wrecked ships along the Outer Banks

The Outer Banks is a group of narrow islands stretching along the North Carolina coast in the Atlantic Ocean.  

Each island of the Outer Banks has its own lighthouse with a special design and history. In addition, each lighthouse has its own signal, which boats see from a distance. The different light signals help sailors identify their position from the land.

Today, the light signals work on an electrical timing system. In the past, workers living in the lighthouses had to turn the lights on and off.