Ella Walter
The Frying Pan Tower, a decommissioned Coast Guard lighthouse, is located 32 miles southeast of Bald Head Island, North Carolina, in the Atlantic Ocean. The tower, which rises 135 feet above the ocean, has been through several ownership changes and hurricanes since its construction in 1964. Richard Neal, the current owner, is restoring the tower and has set up a 24-hour live webcam providing panoramic views of the surrounding ocean and coastal areas of North Carolina. Holden Beach, NC, is located in one of these coastal areas, so it is likely that the Frying Pan Tower is visible from Holden Beach.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | 32 miles (51 km) southeast of Bald Head Island, North Carolina |
| Height | 135 feet above the Atlantic Ocean |
| Year Built | 1964 |
| Year Decommissioned | 2004 |
| Current Owner | Richard Neal of Charlotte, North Carolina |
| Current Use | Being restored for use as a bed and breakfast and a resource for education and research |
| Power Source | 98% powered by stored solar energy |
| Features | 5,000 square foot living area with seven bedrooms, kitchen, office, storage area, recreation area, and toilet facilities; 6,000 square foot helipad |
| Accessibility | Accessible by helicopter and boat |
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What You'll Learn
Frying Pan Tower is 32 miles southeast of Holden Beach, NC
The tower was built in 1964 and was originally staffed year-round by a four-person crew until the operation of the light was automated in 1979. It was ultimately decommissioned in 2004 due to the use of GPS systems on ships, rendering it obsolete. The tower was sold to a private individual, Richard Neal, in 2010, who has since been working on restoring the tower.
Neal, from Charlotte, NC, purchased the tower from the government auction after seeing an advertisement in the back pages of comic books. He has described his focus as being on restoring the tower, which had been long neglected. The tower has received national attention, including a mention in Time magazine's travel section, and Neal is confident it will become a popular destination once fully refurbished.
The Frying Pan Tower offers panoramic views of the ocean and unique experiences such as group cooking and cleaning activities, fishing, and diving. It has withstood several hurricanes, including Hurricane Irene in 2011, when it was directly hit by winds of 67 mph and 28-foot waves. The tower is accessible by helicopter and boat and has a helipad that captures rainwater.
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The tower is being restored by volunteers
The Frying Pan Tower, a decommissioned Coast Guard lighthouse, is being restored by volunteers through FPTower Inc., a 501(c)3 non-profit organisation. The tower, located 32 miles off the coast of North Carolina, rises 135 feet above the Atlantic Ocean.
FPTower Inc.'s mission is to restore, protect, and preserve the tower, providing safety to mariners and local sea life, as well as facilitating environmental research. The tower has suffered damage from hurricanes in recent years, including Hurricane Irene in 2011, which caused significant deterioration to the structure.
Volunteers have been instrumental in the restoration process, with skilled individuals contributing their time and talents to the project. FPTower Inc. organises volunteer trips and coordinates the efforts of these skilled volunteers. The non-profit provides food, leisure activities, and sleeping accommodations for volunteers, creating a relaxed community feel.
The restoration has been accelerated by donations of steel and building materials, as well as solar energy sponsorships from several vendors. The tower is now 98% powered by stored solar energy, with fossil fuel generation reserved for heavy power usages such as welding.
The unique location of the tower has also attracted the attention of several universities and governmental agencies, which have utilised the site for vital research over the last decade. With its transformation into a bed and breakfast also in progress, the Frying Pan Tower is receiving national attention and is expected to become a popular destination for guests once fully refurbished.
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It's been damaged by hurricanes in the past
The Frying Pan Tower has indeed been damaged by hurricanes in the past. In 2011, the tower was directly hit by Hurricane Irene, with winds of 67 mph (108 km/h) and waves of 28 feet (8.5 m). However, an observational flight after the storm showed that the tower had miraculously sustained no visible damage. In 2012, Hurricane Sandy passed within a few dozen miles of the tower, but due to its low category, the only issue was some disturbed ceiling tiles due to a window being left open.
The Frying Pan Tower faced another threat in September 2018 when it was in the path of Hurricane Florence. The storm caused the American flag on the tower to be torn to shreds by the extreme conditions, capturing the hearts and minds of thousands of viewers who watched the live stream. The tower, located about 34 miles off the coast of North Carolina, has served as a Coast Guard light station, marking dangerous shoals for ships.
In 2019, the Frying Pan Tower faced yet another challenge as it was in the eye of Hurricane Dorian. During the storm, a weather station on the tower reported a pressure of 959.5 mb. Over the years, the tower has sustained damage from the hurricanes that have struck the region. The lower stairs to the light tower were destroyed, and the mid to upper section stairs have experienced significant deterioration due to the salty environment.
Despite the damage caused by hurricanes, the Frying Pan Tower remains a resilient structure. Volunteers and organizations have worked to restore and refurbish the tower, transforming it into a unique travel destination and a resource for education and research. The tower has received national attention for its restoration efforts and has been featured in publications such as Time magazine. It stands as a testament to the resilience of the community and their dedication to preserving this piece of American Coast Guard history.
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The tower is accessible by helicopter and boat
The Frying Pan Tower is accessible by helicopter and boat. The tower features a nearly 6000-square-foot helipad that has been deemed capable of supporting a helicopter. The helipad also captures rainwater. The tower is located 23 miles from the coast of Bald Head Island, meaning that there is no land in sight, and the journey takes about ten minutes. However, there are weight restrictions for helicopter travel, and luggage may need to be limited.
Boat travel to the tower can be bumpy and takes about two and a half hours from Southport, NC. The sea conditions can also impact the journey. The eighty-foot distance between the water and the tower means that supplies need to be lifted up to the tower. The boat journey also allows for more luggage to be brought onto the tower.
The tower is located in the Atlantic Ocean and is 32 miles southeast of Bald Head Island, North Carolina. It is 135 feet above the ocean and is a decommissioned Coast Guard lighthouse. The tower is currently being restored by volunteers through FPTower Inc., a nonprofit organisation. The tower is 98% powered by stored solar energy, with fossil fuel generation reserved for heavy power usages. The tower features a recreation room, seven bedrooms, a kitchen, an office, storage area, and toilet facilities.
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Richard Neal bought the tower for $85,000
Richard Neal, a resident of Charlotte, North Carolina, bought the Frying Pan Tower in 2010 for $85,000. The tower is located 32 miles southeast of Wilmington, North Carolina, in the Atlantic Ocean. Neal purchased the tower from a government auction, and it was previously owned by the U.S. Coast Guard.
Neal has since turned the tower into a unique bed-and-breakfast establishment and a marine conservation outpost. The tower offers a one-of-a-kind, off-the-grid experience for guests, with hot showers, full electricity, a stainless steel kitchen, and a recreation room. It is accessible via helicopter or boat, and Neal provides free room and board for volunteers who help with restoration work.
The Frying Pan Tower has a rich history, having been built in the 1960s by the U.S. Coast Guard to guide ships through North Carolina's treacherous coastline, nicknamed the ""Graveyard of the Atlantic." The tower is located in the heart of the Atlantic Ocean's hurricane alley, making its preservation a challenging labor of love.
In 2018, Neal put the tower up for auction, attracting offers from potential buyers with various intentions. However, Neal ultimately decided to end the auction, choosing instead to adopt a limited fractional ownership model with bylaws to ensure the tower's continued maintenance and preservation.
Today, the tower stands as a testament to Neal's dedication and the efforts of volunteers and contributors who have helped restore and maintain this unique piece of American history.
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Frequently asked questions
The Frying Pan Tower is located 32 miles southeast of Bald Head Island, North Carolina, and 25 miles southeast of Southport.
Richard Neal of Charlotte, North Carolina, purchased the tower in 2010.
The Frying Pan Tower is a decommissioned Coast Guard lighthouse located near the end of the Frying Pan Shoals. It was built in 1964 and is currently being restored by volunteers through FPTower Inc., a nonprofit organization.
The Frying Pan Tower is accessible by helicopter and boat, but it is currently occupied by Richard Neal, who is living there full-time while overseeing the restoration project.
