Light Hearted ep 339 – Travis Gilbert and Logan Merchant, Old Baldy, NC

About this episode

This episode features a discussion about the Old Baldy Lighthouse and its historical significance with guests Travis Gilbert and Logan Merchant.

Old Baldy Lighthouse, USLHS photo by J. Candace Clifford There’s been a lighthouse standing on Bald Head Island at the entrance to the Cape Fear River in the southeast corner of North Carolina for more than two centuries. The original lighthouse began service in 1795 and was the first lighthouse in the state. The Old Baldy Lighthouse that stands today—officially known as Bald Head Island Lighthouse—was built in 1817. The 110-foot tower is constructed of soft red bricks and covered with stucco. Today, after taking the ferry from the mainland, visitors can climb the lighthouse for a view of Bald Head Island. Next to the lighthouse, the Smith Island Museum offers more information about the lighthouse, pirates, surfmen of the United States Lifesaving Service, and other island history. We have two guests in this episode. Travis Gilbert is a public historian and preservationist and the director of philanthropy for the Old Baldy Foundation. Logan Merchant is on the board of directors of the Old Baldy Foundation and is also an educator in the Wake County Public School System. Nineteenth century view of Bald Head Island Light Station from the National Archives.

People in this episode

Host: Jeremy D'Entremont

Guests: Travis Gilbert, Logan Merchant

Topics covered

• lighthouses
• history
• North Carolina
• public history
• preservation
• education

Keywords

• Old Baldy Lighthouse
• Bald Head Island
• North Carolina
• lighthouse history
• public historian
• preservationist

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Old Baldy Foundation, Wake County Public School System

Books & works: Old Baldy Lighthouse

Places: Bald Head Island, North Carolina

More episodes of Light Hearted

• Light Hearted ep 344 – Rear Admiral Bill Merlin, U.S. Coast Guard Retired · May 3, 2026 · 46 min
• Light Hearted Live! #3 – Therese Woelfel, author of “Our Guiding Light.” · April 26, 2026 · 1h 2m
• Light Hearted 343: Joy and Patrick Tubby, Happisburgh Lighthouse, UK · April 19, 2026 · 1h 5m
• Light Hearted 342 – Mary Jo Marquis, Burnt Island, ME · April 12, 2026 · 35 min
• Light Hearted 341 – Rick St. Pierre, Coast Guard keeper at Boon Island, Maine · April 5, 2026 · 58 min
• Light Hearted Live #2: Dave Waller, owner of Graves Light in Boston Harbor, MA · March 29, 2026 · 52 min