List of lighthouses in the United States
(Redirected from Lighthouses 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.
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.
- Note: Click on the state of your choice in the tables below to link you to lighthouses in that state.
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) | DisputedA | 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]
| Name | Image | Location | Coordinates | Year first lit | Automated | Year deactivated | Current lens | Focal height |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Isles of Shoals Light |  | Isles of Shoals | 42°58′02″N 70°37′23″W / 42.96722°N 70.62306°W | 1859 | 1987 | Active | VLB-44 LED unit | 82 ft (25 m) |
| Portsmouth Harbor Light |  | New Castle | 43°04′15″N 70°42′30″W / 43.07083°N 70.70833°W | 1878 | 1960 | Active | Fourth order Fresnel | 48 ft (15 m) |
Vermont
- Note: All entries here show the current tower's status; more details can be found in the lighthouse articles.
| Name | Image | Location | Coordinates | Year first lit | Automated | Year deactivated | Current lens | Focal height |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burlington Breakwater North Light |  | Burlington | 44°28′50″N 73°13′47.2″W / 44.48056°N 73.229778°W | 1857 (Original) 2003 (current) | 2003 (Replica) | Active | Unknown | 35 ft (11 m) |
| Burlington Breakwater South Light |  | Burlington | 44°28′12.1″N 73°13′32.4″W / 44.470028°N 73.225667°W | 1857 (Original) 2003 (current) | 2003 (Replica) | Active | Unknown | 12 ft (3.7 m) |
| Colchester Reef Light |  | Shelburne | 44°22′31″N 73°13′53″W / 44.3753°N 73.2314°W | 1871 | Never | 1933 | None | 35 ft (11 m) |
| Isle La Motte Light |  | Isle La Motte | 44°54′23″N 73°20′37″W / 44.9065°N 73.3435°W | 1856 (Original) 1881 (current) | Unknown | Unknown | 300mm | 25 ft (7.6 m) |
| Juniper Island Light | — | South Burlington | 44°27′00″N 73°16′35″W / 44.4500°N 73.2763°W | 1826 (Original) 1846 (current) | Never | 1954 | None | 25 ft (7.6 m) |
| Maxfield Point Light | — | Orleans | Unknown | 1879 | Unknown | Unknown | None | 40 ft (12 m) |
| Newport Wharf Light | — | Orleans | Unknown | 1879 | Unknown | Unknown | None | 37 ft (11 m) |
| Windmill Point Light | — | Isle La Motte | 44°58′54″N 73°20′30″W / 44.9818°N 73.3418°W | 1830 (Original) 1858 (current) | Unknown | Active (Inactive: 1931–2002) | 300 mm | 40 ft (12 m) |
| Whipple Point Light | — | Orleans | Unknown | 1879 | Unknown | 1906 | None | 25 ft (7.6 m) |
Mid-Atlantic
| 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
| State | Tallest[1] (H) | Shortest[1] (H) | Oldest (currently standing) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
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.[26][27]
| Name | Image | Location | Coordinates | Year first lit | Automated | Year deactivated | Current Lens | Height |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Linoma Lighthouse |  | Gretna | 41°3′44″N 96°19′8″W / 41.06222°N 96.31889°W | 1939 | Always | Active | Decorative | 100 ft (30 m) |
| Lake Minatare Lighthouse |  | Scottsbluff | 41°55′50″N 103°30′05″W / 41.93056°N 103.50139°W | 1939 | Always | Active | Decorative | 55 ft (17 m) |
Pacific (states)
| 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)[29] |
| 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)[30] | 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
| State | Tallest[1] (H) | Shortest[1] (H) | Oldest (currently standing) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Sand Island Light 131 ft (40 m)[31] | Middle Bay Light 54 ft (16 m)[32] | Sand Island Light (1873) |
| Florida | Ponce de Leon Light 175 ft (53 m) | Cedar Key Light 23 ft (7.0 m)[33] | Amelia Island Light (1838) |
| Georgia | Tybee Island Light 145 ft (44 m)[34] | Cockspur Island Light 46 ft (14 m) | Sapelo Island Light (1820) |
| Louisiana | Unknown | Unknown | New Canal Light (1839[35]) |
| 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
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.[36][37][38]
| Name | Image | Location | Coordinates | Year first lit | Automated | Year deactivated | Current Lens | Height |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baker Island Light | .jpg) | Baker Island | 0°11′44.8″N 176°29′03.4″W / 0.195778°N 176.484278°W | 1935 | Never | 1942 | None | 16 ft (4.9 m) |
| Howland Island Light (aka: Earhart Light) |  | Howland Island | 0°48′20.6″N 176°37′08.6″W / 0.805722°N 176.619056°W | 1937 | Never | 1942 | None | 20 ft (6.1 m) |
| Jarvis Island Light |  | Jarvis Island | 0°22′13.6″S 160°00′24.1″W / 0.370444°S 160.006694°W | 1935 | Never | 1945 | None | 16 ft (4.9 m) |
| Navassa Island Light |  | Navassa Island | 18°23′50.7″N 75°00′46.2″W / 18.397417°N 75.012833°W | 1917 | 1929 | 1996 | None | 161 ft (49 m) |
| Sand Island Aviation Light | — | Midway Atoll | 28°12′42.7″N 177°22′36.4″W / 28.211861°N 177.376778°W | Unknown | Unknown | Active | Unknown | 46 ft (14 m) |
| Wake Island Aviation Light | — | Wake Island | 19°17′02.0″N 166°39′05.2″E / 19.283889°N 166.651444°E | Unknown | Unknown | Active | Unknown | 52 ft (16 m) |
See also
Further reading
- Crompton, Samuel Willard & Michael J. Rhein, The Ultimate Book of Lighthouses (2002) ISBN 1-59223-102-0; ISBN 978-1-59223-102-7.
- Hyde, Charles K., and Ann and John Mahan. The Northern Lights: Lighthouses of the Upper Great Lakes. Detroit: Wayne State University Press, 1995. ISBN 0-8143-2554-8 ISBN 9780814325544.
- Jones, Ray & Bruce Roberts, American Lighthouses (Globe Pequot, September 1, 1998, 1st Ed.) ISBN 0-7627-0324-5; ISBN 978-0-7627-0324-1.
- Jones, Ray,The Lighthouse Encyclopedia, The Definitive Reference (Globe Pequot, January 1, 2004, 1st ed.) ISBN 0-7627-2735-7; ISBN 978-0-7627-2735-3.
- Noble, Dennis, Lighthouses & Keepers: U. S. Lighthouse Service and Its Legacy Annapolis: U. S. Naval Institute Press, 1997. ISBN 1-55750-638-8; ISBN 978-1-55750-638-2.
- Oleszewski, Wes, Great Lakes Lighthouses, American and Canadian: A Comprehensive Directory/Guide to Great Lakes Lighthouses, (Gwinn, Michigan: Avery Color Studios, Inc., 1998) ISBN 0-932212-98-0.
- Penrod, John, Lighthouses of Michigan, (Berrien Center, Michigan: Penrod/Hiawatha, 1998) ISBN 978-0-942618-78-5 ISBN 9781893624238.
- Penrose, Laurie and Bill, A Traveler's Guide to 116 Michigan Lighthouses (Petoskey, Michigan: Friede Publications, 1999). ISBN 0-923756-03-5 ISBN 9780923756031
- Pepper, Terry. "Seeing the Light: Lighthouses on the western Great Lakes". Archived from the original on January 30, 2008.
- Putnam, George R., Lighthouses and Lightships of the United States, (Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co., 1933).
- Roach, Jerry, Ultimate Guide to Great Lakes Lighthouses, (2003).
- Thurston, Harry,Against Darkness and Storm: Lighthouses of the Northeast (Halifax: Nimbus, 1993).
- United States Coast Guard, Aids to Navigation, (Washington, DC: U. S. Government Printing Office, 1945).
- Price, Scott T. "U. S. Coast Guard Aids to Navigation: A Historical Bibliography". United States Coast Guard Historian's Office.
- U.S. Coast Guard, Historically Famous Lighthouses (Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1957).
- Wagner, John L. "Beacons Shining in the Night: The Lighthouses of Michigan". Clarke Historical Library, Central Michigan University.
- Wagner, John L., Michigan Lighthouses: An Aerial Photographic Perspective, (East Lansing, Michigan: John L. Wagner, 1998) ISBN 1-880311-01-1 ISBN 9781880311011.
- Weiss, George, The Lighthouse Service, Its History, Activities and Organization (Baltimore: Johns Hopkins Press, 1926).
- Wright, Larry and Wright, Patricia, Great Lakes Lighthouses Encyclopedia Hardback (Erin: Boston Mills Press, 2006) ISBN 1-55046-399-3.
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.[39][40][41][42]
- 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][43]
- C.^ Minnesota Point Light was built in 1858, but only half of the now ruined tower remains.[44]
- D.^ The oldest light station is Pottawatomie Light which was established in 1836; however, the current buildings date to 1858.[45]
- 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.[46] Moloka'i Light is the oldest currently standing lighthouse; it was first lit a month before the still standing Makapuu Point Light.[47][48]
- H.^ Pass A L'Outre Light was originally constructed in 1852 elsewhere and moved to its present location.[49][50]
- I.^ Cat Island Light (first tower), Pass Christian Light, and Ship Island Light were all 30 feet tall.
References
External links
General
- Lighthouses in the National Park System
- Light List, Volumes 1-7. United States Coast Guard.
- Lighthouse Friends
- Rowlett, Russ. "The Lighthouse Directory". University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. a comprehensive international listing maintained by Russ Rowlett
- Inventory of Historic Light Stations Archived 2004-11-05 at the Wayback Machine from the National Park Service
- Interactive map of lighthouses all over the country
- Lighthouses in the National Park System
- Amateur Radio Lighthouse Society (ARLHS) U.S. LIGHTHOUSES BY STATE
- Lighthouses: An Administrative History
- Historical Landmarks - United States Lighthouses
Great Lakes
- Wisconsin Historical Society, antique photographs of Wisconsin lighthouses
- Terry Pepper on lighthouses of the Western Great Lakes
- Bibliography on Michigan and other lighthouses
- A more comprehensive (and interactive with geographic locations) listing of Michigan lighthouses and museums, complete with pictures and descriptions
- Detroit News, interactive map on Michigan lighthouses
- Map of Michigan Lighthouse in PDF format
- Wagner, John L. Beacons Shining in the Night, Michigan Lighthouse Bibliography, Chronology, History, Keepers Lives, and Photographs, Clarke Historical Library, Central, Michigan University
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