The first lighthouse at Ocracoke Inlet was the 1798 Shellcastle Rock lighthouse on an island in the inlet, but its exposed location left it defenseless against storms, tides, and winds, and it was often inoperative when needed most. In 1823 it was replaced by the present light, the Nation's second oldest still in use. Its non-rotating light stands 75 feet above sea level, can be seen in a full 360 degrees, and reaches a distance of fourteen miles. The lighthouse has walls five feet thick at the base, made of brick with a mortar surface. A two story structure originally housed the lighthouse keeper and his family and is now a private residence. A small block building once stored lamp fuel, and whale oil, porpoise oil, and kerosene all served as fuel before the light became electric. The lighthouse is owned and maintained by the United States Coast Guard and is closed to the public.