Back in 1721, Alexander Spotswood – governor of the Virginia colony for the British – had an idea for a lighthouse to be built at Cape Henry, but it was 1774 before the colonies of Virginia and Maryland agreed to construct it. Materials were brought to the site and work began, but the funds ran out and the Revolutionary War put the project on hold.

In early 1790, George Washington made history by approving the construction of Cape Henry Light – the first to be authorized by the new government. It was completed in 1792, becoming the first lighthouse to be built entirely by the new United States. The 90-foot tower was lighted by 18 argand lamps and 12-inch reflectors, which were replaced by a 1st Order Fresnel Lens in 1857. The lens and lighthouse were damaged during the Civil War, and although repairs were made, it was evident that the old lighthouse needed to be replaced.

Funds for the second tower were approved in 1878, and plans were made to construct the new sentinel a few hundred feet southeast of the old structure. The second Cape Henry Light was finally lit on December 15, 1881 and the old light extinguished. The new 163-foot tower was built of cast iron plated masonry in an octagonal pyramidal shape. The 1st Order Lens was built by Barbier & Fenestre in 1880 and is still in use, flashing a 20-second light that can be seen 15 miles out to sea. In 1923, the lantern received electricity and was fully automated in 1984.

Located on the grounds of Fort Story, an Army installation, the black and white Fort Henry light is maintained by the Coast Guard and is not open to the public. Both lighthouses are National Historic Sites, and the decommissioned sentinel is open to the public and maintained by the Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities.