• Jim Dollar via Flickr
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    Ocracoke Lighthouse, Ocracoke Island, North Carolina

    Built in 1823, Ocracoke Lighthouse is North Carolina's oldest lighthouse and is still operational today. The 75-foot-tall lighthouse was automated in 1955. During the summer months, a U.S. National Park ranger is on duty and tourists can enter the lighthouse's base. To reach the island, visitors can take a 40-minute auto and passenger ferry from Cape Hatteras.