The Old Cape Henry Lighthouse is located at the entrance of Chesapeake Bay in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Built in 1792, it was the first federally funded lighthouse in the United States. Standing 90 feet tall, the lighthouse features a distinctive conical shape and is made of sandstone. It was designed to guide ships safely into the bay. The lighthouse was in operation until 1881 when a new lighthouse, known as the Cape Henry Lighthouse, was constructed nearby. Today, the Old Cape Henry Lighthouse is a historic site and is open to the public for tours, allowing visitors to climb its spiral staircase for a view of the surrounding area.