Cape Hatteras Lighthouse and others Historic buildings had stood since 1870 on a shore of North Carolina. Because of the natural process of erosion and the the lighthouse was just 15 feet from the ocean's edge and was in imminent danger. Thus, they were relocated 2,900 feet in 1999. The project of moving the light house was unprescidented engineering project and won an Civil Engineering Achievement award from the American Society of Civil Engineers.