Lower Cedar Point Light

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Lower Cedar Point Light
Lower Cedar Point Light
Locationin the center of the Potomac River 1.5 mi south of the Harry W. Nice (US 301) Bridge
Coordinates 38°20′24″N76°59′35″W / 38.340°N 76.993°W / 38.340; -76.993
Tower
Foundation screw-pile
Construction cast-iron/wood
Shapesquare house
Light
First lit1867
Deactivated1951
Focal height11.5 m (38 ft)  OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
Lensfourth-order Fresnel lens
Characteristic Fl G 2.5s  OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg

The Lower Cedar Point Light was a historic lighthouse in the Potomac River near its eponymous point, south of the present Governor Harry W. Nice Memorial Bridge, which carries U.S. Route 301 between Maryland and Virginia. It has been replaced by a skeleton tower.

Contents

History

Lightships were stationed at this location beginning in 1825. In 1861, during the Civil War, the lightship at the station was burned by Confederate forces.

A screw-pile lighthouse was constructed on the spot in 1867. This light burned on Christmas Day in 1893 and was rebuilt in 1896. In 1951 the house was removed and a skeleton tower erected on the old foundation.

References

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