What's the latest on restoration of the Price's Creek Lighthouse? | MyReporter

Some call it “the mini lighthouse,” and because it is not open to the public and located on private property, others neglect to mention it all.

But the Price’s Creek Lighthouse, located along the banks of the Cape Fear River in Southport, has gotten a lot more attention in recent years.

Just last year, Archer Daniels Midland Company invited a “senior restoration specialist” and local historians to the lighthouse to inspect it .

Here's a look at what’s happened since.

Have restoration efforts begun?

No restoration work has occurred on the lighthouse, according to ADM spokesperson Dane Lisser.

“Regular visual inspections of the Price’s Creek Lighthouse are conducted as part of the Southport manufacturing facility’s preventative maintenance program,” Lisser said in an email. “We will provide more details if improvements are scheduled.”

What about informational signage or a historical marker?

Last year, local historians mentioned an effort to establish informational signage about the lighthouse at the Southport-Fort Fisher Ferry Landing — the only place where the lighthouse can be viewed by the public. The Maritime Museum and Southport Historical Society were involved in the effort, and both the N.C. Department of Transportation and ADM would have to approve any signage.

When asked about the project’s status, Lisser said ADM has “not finalized any plans yet.”

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Will the lighthouse ever be open for tours?

Last year, an ADM representative said the company was considering offering tours on designated days and did hold some tours earlier this year.

“We do plan to conduct more tours in the future,” Lisser said in an email. “We have not finalized those plans but will provide more details as they become available.”

How old is the lighthouse?

Built in 1849, the Price’s Creek Lighthouse was one of eight lighthouses located along a 25-mile stretch of the Cape Fear River. It originally was part of a range light system that included the 20-foot brick tower and the lightkeeper’s quarters — a square brick building topped with a lantern for a total of 35 feet.

While the keeper’s quarters fell victim to hurricanes and storms, their ruins remain behind the Price’s Creek Lighthouse, which still stands today.

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: What's the latest on restoration of the Price's Creek Lighthouse? | MyReporter