Did you know that North Carolina is one of only a few states that does not have an official state logo We have so much pride in our state, that we are on a mission to have our lighthouse logo adopted as our official symbol. Why a lighthouse There are many reasons. The lighthouse is important to us because it reminds us of our Grandpa Baker and the trip we took with him last Summer to visit each of the twelve famous North Carolina lighthouses. Grandpa Baker was stationed in Okracoke, in 1955 and 1956, during his years serving our country in the Coast Guard. He had a fascination with these lighthouses and wanted to share his knowledge and experience with us. After we returned from our trip, Grandpa Baker passed away. We will always cherish these memories of our Grandpa Baker and the lighthouses he loved. The lighthouse is also important as our history as a state began on the coast, as did the history of our great country. In 1587, long before the 13 Colonies were established along the American coast, over 100 men, women and children journeyed from England to Roanoke Island on North Carolina's coast and established the first English settlement in America. Within three years, they had vanished with scarcely a trace and one of America's most enduring legends was born. The lighthouse in our logo is inspired by the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. Built in 1870, it is the tallest lighthouse in the nation. The beacon from the light can be seen 20 miles out to see and has warned sailors for nearly 140 years of the treacherous Diamond Shoals. So important is the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse to North Carolina history, that in 1999 it was moved from its original location to save it from erosion and the rising waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Our logo was designed by North Carolina Law Enforcement Officer, Mark Coyle. Several years ago, while riding up I-77, he took notice of the South Carolina Palmetto Tree and Crescent Moon logo and began to wonder why North Carolina did not have a state symbol. After many ideas, research and drawings, Mark decided that the lighthouse with the NC from the state flag at the base and a brilliant sun was the perfect logo that North Carolinians could be proud of. Please show your support for our North Carolina logo, by signing our petition! We will be traveling to the state capital soon to lobby the North Carolina State Legislature to adopt our lighthouse logo as the official state symbol. Wish us luck! Ruth and J.J. Jackson