List of lighthouses in the United States

Last updated

Boston Light, the oldest light station and second oldest lighthouse structure in the US Boston Light.jpg
Boston Light, the oldest light station and second oldest lighthouse structure in the US
Charleston Light, the last manned lighthouse built on shore in the United States Charleston Light 1962.jpg
Charleston Light, the last manned lighthouse built on shore in the United States

This is a list of lighthouses in the United States. The United States has had approximately a thousand lights as well as light towers, range lights, and pier head lights. Michigan has the most lights of any state with over 150 past and present lights. Lighthouses that are in former U.S. territories are not listed here.

Contents

Most of the lights in the United States have been built and maintained by the Coast Guard (since 1939) and its predecessors, the United States Lighthouse Service (1910–1939) and the United States Lighthouse Board (1852–1910). Before the Lighthouse Board was established, local collectors of customs were responsible for lighthouses under Stephen Pleasonton. As their importance to navigation has declined and as public interest in them has increased, the Coast Guard has been handing over ownership and in some cases responsibility for running them to other parties, the chief of them being the National Park Service under the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act of 2000.

New England

Boon Island Light in Maine is the tallest in New England. Boon Island Lighthouse.jpg
Boon Island Light in Maine is the tallest in New England.
State Tallest [1] (H)Shortest [1] (H)Oldest [2]
(currently standing)
Maine Boon Island Light
133 ft (41 m)
Pond Island Light
20 ft (6.1 m)
Portland Head Light
(1791) [3]
Massachusetts Cape Ann Light
124 ft (38 m)
Disputed A Boston Light
(1783) [4]
New Hampshire Isles of Shoals Light
58 ft (18 m)
Portsmouth Harbor Light
48 ft (15 m)
Isles of Shoals Light
(1859) [5]
Rhode Island Sakonnet Light
66 ft (20 m)
Ida Lewis Rock Light
13 ft (4.0 m)
Poplar Point Light
(1831) [6]
Connecticut New London Harbor Light
89 ft (27 m) [7]
Mystic Seaport Light
25 ft (7.6 m)
New London Harbor Light
(1801) [7]
Vermont Windmill Point Light
40 ft (12 m)
Whipple Point Light
13 ft (4.0 m)
Juniper Island Light
(1846) [2]

New Hampshire

The state of New Hampshire only has two lighthouses, both of which are located along the Atlantic coastline. [8]

NameImageLocationCoordinatesYear first litAutomatedYear deactivatedCurrent lensFocal height
Isles of Shoals Light Lighthouse on the Rock.jpg Isles of Shoals 42°58′02″N70°37′23″W / 42.96722°N 70.62306°W / 42.96722; -70.62306 (Isles of Shoals Light) 18591987Active VLB-44 LED unit82 ft (25 m)
Portsmouth Harbor Light Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse.jpg New Castle 43°04′15″N70°42′30″W / 43.07083°N 70.70833°W / 43.07083; -70.70833 (Portsmouth Harbor Light) 18781960ActiveFourth order Fresnel 48 ft (15 m)

Vermont [9]

NameImageLocationCoordinatesYear first litAutomatedYear deactivatedCurrent lensFocal height
Burlington Breakwater North Light Burlington Breakwater North VT.JPG Burlington 44°28′50″N73°13′47.2″W / 44.48056°N 73.229778°W / 44.48056; -73.229778 1857
(original)
2003
(current)
2003
(replica)
ActiveUnknown35 ft (11 m)
Burlington Breakwater South Light Burlington Breakwater South VT.JPG Burlington 44°28′12.1″N73°13′32.4″W / 44.470028°N 73.225667°W / 44.470028; -73.225667 1857
(original)
2003
(current)
2003
(replica)
ActiveUnknown12 ft (3.7 m)
Colchester Reef Light Colchester reef light nps.jpg Shelburne 44°22′31″N73°13′53″W / 44.3753°N 73.2314°W / 44.3753; -73.2314 1871Never1933None35 ft (11 m)
Isle La Motte Light ILMLight.jpg Isle La Motte 44°54′23″N73°20′37″W / 44.9065°N 73.3435°W / 44.9065; -73.3435 1856
(original)
1881
(current)
UnknownUnknown300mm25 ft (7.6 m)
Juniper Island Light Juniper island light.JPG South Burlington 44°27′00″N73°16′35″W / 44.4500°N 73.2763°W / 44.4500; -73.2763 1826
(original)
1846
(current)
Never1954None25 ft (7.6 m)
Maxfield Point Light Orleans Unknown1879UnknownUnknownNone40 ft (12 m)
Newport Wharf Light Orleans Unknown1879UnknownUnknownNone37 ft (11 m)
Windmill Point Light Windmill Point Light VT.JPG Isle La Motte 44°58′54″N73°20′30″W / 44.9818°N 73.3418°W / 44.9818; -73.3418 1830
(iriginal)
1858
(current)
UnknownActive
(inactive: 1931–2002)
300 mm40 ft (12 m)
Whipple Point Light Orleans Unknown1879Unknown1906None25 ft (7.6 m)

Mid-Atlantic

Sandy Hook Lighthouse is the oldest still standing in the United States. SH Light crop.jpg
Sandy Hook Lighthouse is the oldest still standing in the United States.
State Tallest [1] (H)Shortest [1] (H)Oldest
(currently standing)
New York Fire Island Lighthouse
168 ft (51 m) [10] B
Cape Vincent Light
15 ft (4.6 m)
Montauk Point Light
(1797) [11]
New Jersey Absecon Light
171 ft (52 m) [12]
Ludlam's Beach Light
36 ft (11 m)
Sandy Hook Light
(1764) [13]
Pennsylvania Presque Isle Light
68 ft (21 m)
Turtle Rock Light
30 ft (9.1 m)
Erie Harbor Light
(1857)
Delaware Liston Range Rear Light
120 ft (37 m) [14]
Cherry Island Light
35 ft (11 m)
Fenwick Island Light
(1858) [15]
Maryland Craighill Channel L.R.R.
105 ft (32 m) [16]
Craighill Channel U.R.F.
15 ft (4.6 m) [17]
Pooles Island Light
(1825) [18]

Midwest

Michigan has more lighthouses (still standing) than any other state with over 120 listed. Including historical lighthouses, there were 150 built. (Tawas Point Light is shown here.) Tawaspoint3.jpg
Michigan has more lighthouses (still standing) than any other state with over 120 listed. Including historical lighthouses, there were 150 built. (Tawas Point Light is shown here.)
State Tallest [1] (H)Shortest [1] (H)Oldest
(currently standing)
Colorado Dillon Reservoir Lighthouse
26 ft (7.9 m)
Dillon Reservoir Lighthouse
(circa 1963)
Illinois Grosse Point Light
113 ft (34 m)
Waukegan Harbor Light
35 ft (11 m)
Grosse Point Light
(1873)
Indiana Buffington Breakwater Light
55 ft (17 m)
Gary Breakwater Light
30 ft (9.1 m)
Old Michigan City Light
(1858) [20]
Michigan White Shoal Light
121 ft (37 m)
Cheboygan Crib Light
25 ft (7.6 m)
Fort Gratiot Light
(1825) [21]
Minnesota Duluth South Breakwater I.L.
70 ft (21 m)
Grand Marais Light
34 ft (10 m)
Two Harbors Light
(1892) [22] C
Nebraska Linoma Lighthouse
100 ft (30 m)
Lake Minatare Light
55 ft (17 m)
Ohio Northwood Light
161 ft (49 m) [23]
Port Clinton Light
20 ft (6.1 m)
Marblehead Light
(1821) [24]
Wisconsin Rawley Point Light
111 ft (34 m)
Baileys Harbor Front RL
21 ft (6.4 m) [25]
Baileys Harbor Light
(1853) D

Colorado

The state of Colorado has only one lighthouse, the Dillon Reservoir Lighthouse, also known as the Lake Dillon Lighthouse. It is located in the Dillon Reservoir (also referred to as Lake Dillon) in Summit County, Colorado. Although the exact completion date of the 26-foot tall tower is unknown, it was constructed along with the reservoir itself, which was completed in 1963. The lake is at an elevation of 9017 ft (2748 m), making this the highest elevation lighthouse in the U.S. [26] [27] [28] [29]

Nebraska

The state of Nebraska has at least two faux lighthouses which were first lit in 1939. There is no evidence that either were used for navigational purposes as the state has no large bodies of water that would require the need. Linoma Lighthouse is located on a privately owned recreation area which was developed around an artificial lake, while Lake Minatare Lighthouse was "built to simulate a lighthouse". Also of note is a faux lighthouse called Rock Garden Lighthouse (not listed below), located in Kearney. [30] [31]

NameImageLocationCoordinatesYear first litAutomatedYear deactivatedCurrent lensHeight
Linoma Lighthouse Linoma Beach 2.jpg Gretna 41°3′44″N96°19′8″W / 41.06222°N 96.31889°W / 41.06222; -96.31889 1939AlwaysActiveDecorative100 ft (30 m)
Lake Minatare Lighthouse Lake Minatare Lighthouse.jpg Scottsbluff 41°55′50″N103°30′05″W / 41.93056°N 103.50139°W / 41.93056; -103.50139 1939AlwaysActiveDecorative55 ft (17 m)

Pacific (states)

Clover Island Lighthouse (built 2010) in Washington is the first to be built in the United States since 1962. Clover Island Lighthouse.jpg
Clover Island Lighthouse (built 2010) in Washington is the first to be built in the United States since 1962.
State Tallest [1] (H)Shortest [1] (H)Oldest
(currently standing)
Alaska Cape Decision Light
75 ft (23 m)
Point Sherman Light
20 ft (6.1 m) E
Eldred Rock Light
(1906) [33]
Washington Grays Harbor Light
107 ft (33 m)
Turn Point Light
20 ft (6.1 m)
Cape Disappointment
(1856)
Oregon Yaquina Head Light
93 ft (28 m) [34]
Warrior Rock Light
25 ft (7.6 m)
Cape Blanco Light
(1870)
California Pigeon Point Light
Point Arena Light
115 ft (35 m) F
Lime Point Light
20 ft (6.1 m)
Point Pinos Light
(1855)
Hawaii Moloka'i Light
138 ft (42 m)
Kuki'i Point Light
22 ft (6.7 m)
Moloka'i Light
(1909) G

South

America's tallest lighthouse, Cape Hatteras Light, located on the Outer Banks of North Carolina Cape Hatteras Lighthouse 1.jpg
America's tallest lighthouse, Cape Hatteras Light, located on the Outer Banks of North Carolina
State Tallest [1] (H)Shortest [1] (H)Oldest
(currently standing)
Alabama Sand Island Light
131 ft (40 m) [35]
Middle Bay Light
54 ft (16 m) [36]
Sand Island Light
(1873)
Florida Ponce de Leon Light
175 ft (53 m)
Cedar Key Light
23 ft (7.0 m) [37]
Amelia Island Light
(1838)
Georgia Tybee Island Light
145 ft (44 m) [38]
Cockspur Island Light
46 ft (14 m)
Sapelo Island Light
(1820)
Louisiana UnknownUnknown New Canal Light
(1839 [39] )
Mississippi Biloxi Light
61 ft (19 m)
Tie
30 ft (9.1 m) I
Biloxi Light
(1848)
North Carolina Cape Hatteras Light
210 ft (64 m)
Bald Head Light
(1817)
South Carolina Morris Island Light
161 ft (49 m)
Haig Point F. R. Light
18 ft (5.5 m)
Cape Romain Light (Old)
(1827)
Texas Point Bolivar Light
116 ft (35 m)
Point Isabel Light
(1852)
Virginia Cape Charles Light
191 ft (58 m)
Deepwater Shoals Light
(1855)
Cape Henry Lighthouse
(1792)

United States territories

Garapan Light in Saipan, one of only two remaining lighthouses built during Japanese occupation JAPANESE LIGHTHOUSE.jpg
Garapan Light in Saipan, one of only two remaining lighthouses built during Japanese occupation
TerritoryTallest (H)Shortest (H)Oldest [2]
(currently standing)
Puerto Rico Punta Higüero Light

69 ft (21 m)

Los Morrillos Light
40 ft (12 m)
Port San Juan Light

(1846)

American Samoa Breakers Point Light 190 ft (58 m) Aunu'u Light

25 ft (7.6 m)

Guam Ritidian Point Light 574 ft (175 m) Apra Outer Harbor Range Front Light

39 ft (12 m)

Orote Point Light (1929) [40]
Northern Mariana Islands Japanese Light (a.k.a. Garapan Light)

(Unknown)

Japanese Light (a.k.a. Garapan Light)

(1934)

Virgin Islands Hams Bluff Light 394 ft (120 m) Fort Luise Augusta Light 58 ft (18 m) Fort Luise Augusta Light (1919)

United States Minor Outlying Islands

This table lists lighthouses that are in insular areas of the United States. All of the islands listed below are uninhabited, and have not been formerly incorporated into the country. [41] [42] [43]

NameImageLocationCoordinatesYear first litAutomatedYear deactivatedCurrent lensHeight
Baker Island Light Baker Islands Tower (14571847073).jpg Baker Island 0°11′44.8″N176°29′03.4″W / 0.195778°N 176.484278°W / 0.195778; -176.484278 1935Never1942None16 ft (4.9 m)
Howland Island Light
(aka: Earhart Light)
Earhart Light.jpg Howland Island 0°48′20.6″N176°37′08.6″W / 0.805722°N 176.619056°W / 0.805722; -176.619056 1937Never1942None20 ft (6.1 m)
Jarvis Island Light Jarvis Island October 2003.jpg Jarvis Island 0°22′13.6″S160°00′24.1″W / 0.370444°S 160.006694°W / -0.370444; -160.006694 1935Never1945None16 ft (4.9 m)
Navassa Island Light NavassaLighthouse.jpg Navassa Island 18°23′50.7″N75°00′46.2″W / 18.397417°N 75.012833°W / 18.397417; -75.012833 191719291996None161 ft (49 m)
Sand Island Aviation Light Midway Atoll 28°12′42.7″N177°22′36.4″W / 28.211861°N 177.376778°W / 28.211861; -177.376778 UnknownUnknownActiveUnknown46 ft (14 m)
Wake Island Aviation Light Wake Island 19°17′02.0″N166°39′05.2″E / 19.283889°N 166.651444°E / 19.283889; 166.651444 UnknownUnknownActiveUnknown52 ft (16 m)

See also

Further reading

Notes

A. ^ The shortest lighthouse in Massachusetts is either Palmer Island Light at 24 ft (7.3 m) or Brant Point Light at 26 ft (7.9 m). Sources remain split on this issue, with at least one claiming the latter as the shortest in New England. [44] [45] [46] [47]
B. ^ The Perry Monument in Ohio and the Statue of Liberty in New York City are not classified as lighthouses. They would come in as the two tallest lighthouses in the United States otherwise. [1] [48]
C. ^ Minnesota Point Light was built in 1858, but only half of the now ruined tower remains. [49]
D. ^ The oldest light station is Pottawatomie Light which was established in 1836; however, the current buildings date to 1858. [50]
E. ^ The shortest height is for a skeletal tower which was placed in 1981. For "traditional" lighthouses, Point Retreat Light and Cape Spencer Light are tied at 25 ft (7.6 m) each.
F. ^ These two lighthouses are tied at 115 ft (35 m) each.
G. ^ The oldest lighthouse in Hawaii was called "Lahaina Lighthouse", which was built in 1905 before it was replaced. [51] Moloka'i Light is the oldest currently standing lighthouse; it was first lit a month before the still standing Makapuu Point Light. [52] [53]
H. ^ Pass A L'Outre Light was originally constructed in 1852 elsewhere and moved to its present location. [54] [55]
I. ^ Cat Island Light (first tower), Pass Christian Light, and Ship Island Light were all 30 feet tall.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 "Lighthouse Listing By Tower height". www.us-lighthouses.com. Retrieved September 14, 2017.
  2. 1 2 3 "The Oldest Lighthouse in Each New England State". New England Historical Society. January 20, 2018. Retrieved August 27, 2018.
  3. RJ Heller (May 8, 2018). "Fog and lighthouse as mother and father". Bangor Daily News. Retrieved August 27, 2018.
  4. "Oldest U.S. lighthouse, the Boston Light, celebrates 300 years". Accociated Press via Navy Times. September 14, 2016. Retrieved August 27, 2018.
  5. "Isles of Shoals (White Island) Lighthouse". Lighthouse Friends. Retrieved August 27, 2018.
  6. "Lighthouses of Rhode Island MPS (PDF pp. 46–50)" (PDF). Rhode Island Preservation. Retrieved November 10, 2014.
  7. 1 2 Susan Hodara (August 15, 2014). "Taking In the History of New London, a City Shaped by the Sea". The New York Times.
  8. "Historic Light Station Information and Photography: New Hampshire". United States Coast Guard Historian's Office. Archived from the original on May 1, 2017.
  9. "Historic Light Station Information and Photography: Vermont". United States Coast Guard Historian's Office. Archived from the original on May 1, 2017.
  10. Marlo Jappen (July 22, 2015). "Secrets of the Fire Island Lighthouse". Newsday. Archived from the original on August 27, 2018. Retrieved August 27, 2018.
  11. Unknown Author (March 11, 2011). Lighthouses of the Mid-Atlantic Coast. Voyageur Press. p. 145. ISBN   9780760339510 . Retrieved August 27, 2018.{{cite book}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  12. Linda J. Barth (June 25, 2018). New Jersey Originals: Technological Marvels, Odd Inventions, Trailblazing Characters & More. Arcadia Publishing. p. 86. ISBN   9781467139267 . Retrieved August 27, 2018.
  13. Francis Ross Holland (January 1, 1988). America's Lighthouses. Courier Corporation. p. 11. ISBN   9780486255767 . Retrieved August 27, 2018.
  14. "Liston Range Rear Light, DE". Kraig Anderson. Retrieved September 17, 2017.
  15. Unknown Author (March 11, 2011). Lighthouses of the Mid-Atlantic Coast. Voyageur Press. p. 149. ISBN   9780760339510 . Retrieved August 27, 2018.{{cite book}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  16. "Craighill Channel Lower Rear Lighthouse". Lighthouse Friends. Retrieved September 20, 2017.
  17. "Historic Light Station Information & Photography Maryland". United States Coast Guard. Retrieved September 20, 2017.
  18. Rowlett, Russ. "Lighthouses of the United States: Maryland". The Lighthouse Directory. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill . Retrieved September 17, 2017.
  19. "No two lighthouses are alike". Tri County Times. June 29, 2017. Retrieved September 29, 2017.
  20. "Old Lighthouse Museum oldest in Indiana". The Michigan City News Dispatch. August 14, 2014. Retrieved September 4, 2018.
  21. "Fort Gratiot Lighthouse". PH Museum. Archived from the original on March 19, 2011. Retrieved September 4, 2018.
  22. Martin Hintz (2003). Minnesota Family Weekends. Big Earth Publishing. p. 78. ISBN   9781931599221 . Retrieved September 4, 2018.
  23. "Northwood, OH". Lighthouse Friends. Archived from the original on March 31, 2014. Retrieved September 28, 2017.
  24. "Marblehead Lighthouse". Lighthouse Friends. Retrieved September 4, 2018.
  25. Ken Wardius, and Barb Wardius (2000). Wisconsin Lighthouses: A Photographic & Historical Guide. Big Earth Publishing. p. 72. ISBN   9781879483606 . Retrieved August 27, 2018.
  26. Colorado's only lighthouse is the highest in the United States
  27. Dillon Reservoir
  28. Lighthouses of the United States: Colorado
  29. Colorado is Home to the Highest Lighthouse in the Country
  30. Lighthouse and rock garden at Harmon Park
  31. English: Harmon Park
  32. Kennewick's Clover Island Lighthouse gets its lid Published 2010-01-07
  33. "Eldred Rock Lighthouse". Sheldon Museum. Retrieved September 4, 2018.
  34. "Yaquina Head Lighthouse". Bureau of Land Management. Archived from the original on May 22, 2021. Retrieved November 11, 2014.
  35. "Inventory of Historic Lighthouses - Sand Island". National Park Service. Archived from the original on June 25, 2007. Retrieved February 18, 2008.
  36. "Inventory of Historic Lighthouses - Mobile Middle Bay". National Park Service. Archived from the original on June 25, 2007. Retrieved February 18, 2008.
  37. "Inventory of Historic Lighthouses - Cedar Keys". National Park Service. Archived from the original on July 12, 2007. Retrieved May 6, 2008.
  38. "Home | Tybee Island Light Station And Museum". tybeelighthouse.org. Retrieved January 12, 2021.
  39. Cipra, David L. (1997). Lighthouses, Lightships, and the Gulf of Mexico. Cypress Communications. ISBN   0963641212.
  40. Rowlett, Russ. "Lighthouses of Guam". The Lighthouse Directory. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill . Retrieved October 20, 2017.
  41. Rowlett, Russ. "Lighthouses of U.S. Pacific Remote Islands". The Lighthouse Directory. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill . Retrieved November 6, 2016.
  42. Rowlett, Russ. "Navassa Island Lighthouse". The Lighthouse Directory. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill . Retrieved November 6, 2016.
  43. NGA List of Lights – Pub.111 Retrieved November 6, 2016.
  44. "Palmer Island, MA". Lighthouse Friends. Retrieved August 28, 2018.
  45. "Palmer Island Light Station". National Park Service. Archived from the original on November 23, 2008. Retrieved August 28, 2018.
  46. Ray Bartlett (June 14, 2016). Moon Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard & Nantucket. Avalon Publishing. ISBN   9781631212697 . Retrieved August 28, 2018.
  47. Amy Jenness (October 7, 2014). On This Day in Nantucket History. Arcadia Publishing. ISBN   9781625851598 . Retrieved August 28, 2018.
  48. Dave Wobser. "Perry's Memorial Monument". lighthouse.boatnerd.com. Archived from the original on March 13, 2017. Retrieved August 27, 2018.
  49. "Minnesota Point, MN". LighthouseFriends. Retrieved September 4, 2018.
  50. "Pottawatomie (Rock Island) Lighthouse". Lighthouse Friends. Retrieved October 16, 2017.
  51. "Lahaina Lighthouse". Lighthouse Friends. Retrieved August 27, 2018.
  52. "Makapu'u Lighthouse". Lighthouse Friends. Retrieved October 16, 2017.
  53. "Moloka'i (Kalaupapa) Lighthouse". Lighthouse Friends. Retrieved October 16, 2017.
  54. Lighthouse Board; Homans, Isaac Smith (November 24, 1856). Northeast Pass Lighthouse; Mouths of the Mississippi River. Vol. 36. p. 367. Retrieved September 6, 2017.{{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  55. Rowlett, Russ. "Lighthouses of Louisiana". The Lighthouse Directory. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill . Retrieved September 5, 2017.

General

Great Lakes