These four dwellings were provided by the government for the keepers of the Cape Fear Lighthouse and their families. Captain Charles Swan, the first keeper of the light, lived with his family and staff in these homes from 1903 until 1933. The smallest building of the four was used for storing food and supplies. These structures were abandoned following deactivation of the light in 1958, and were placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974.