List of lighthouses in the United States

Boston Light, the oldest light station and second oldest lighthouse structure in the USA.
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.

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

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)		 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.

"Historic Light Station Information and Photography: New Hampshire". United States Coast Guard Historian's Office.

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 / 42.96722; -70.62306 (Isles of Shoals Light) 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 / 43.07083; -70.70833 (Portsmouth Harbor Light) 1878 1960 Active Fourth order Fresnel 48 ft (15 m)

Vermont

"Historic Light Station Information and Photography: Vermont". United States Coast Guard Historian's Office.

  • 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 / 44.48056; -73.229778Coordinates: 44°28′50″N 73°13′47.2″W / 44.48056°N 73.229778°W / 44.48056; -73.229778 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 / 44.470028; -73.225667 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 / 44.3753; -73.2314 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 / 44.9065; -73.3435 1856
(Original)
1881
(Current)		 Unknown Unknown 300mm 25 ft (7.6 m)
Juniper Island Light N/A South Burlington 44°27′00″N 73°16′35″W / 44.4500°N 73.2763°W / 44.4500; -73.2763 1826
(Original)
1846
(Current)		 Never 1954 None 25 ft (7.6 m)
Maxfield Point Light N/A Orleans Unknown 1879 Unknown Unknown None 40 ft (12 m)
Newport Wharf Light N/A Orleans Unknown 1879 Unknown Unknown None 37 ft (11 m)
Windmill Point Light N/A Isle La Motte 44°58′54″N 73°20′30″W / 44.9818°N 73.3418°W / 44.9818; -73.3418 1830
(Original)
1858
(Current)		 Unknown Active
(Inactive: 1931-2002)		 300 mm 40 ft (12 m)
Whipple Point Light N/A Orleans Unknown 1879 Unknown 1906 None 25 ft (7.6 m)

Mid-Atlantic

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)[8]B		 Cape Vincent Light
15 ft (4.6 m)		 Montauk Point Light
(1797)[9]
New Jersey Absecon Light
171 ft (52 m)[10]		 Ludlam's Beach Light
36 ft (11 m)		 Sandy Hook Light
(1764)[11]
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)[12]		 Cherry Island Light
35 ft (11 m)		 Fenwick Island Light
(1858)[13]
Maryland Craighill Channel L.R.R.
105 ft (32 m)[14]		 Craighill Channel U.R.F.
15 ft (4.6 m)[15]		 Pooles Island Light
(1825)[16]

Midwest

Michigan has more lighthouses (still standing) than any other state with over 120 listed. Including historical lighthouse, there were 150 built.[17] (Tawas Point Light shown here)
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)[18]
Michigan White Shoal Light
121 ft (37 m)		 Cheboygan Crib Light
25 ft (7.6 m)		 Fort Gratiot Light
(1825)[19]
Minnesota Duluth South Breakwater I.L.
70 ft (21 m)		 Grand Marais Light
34 ft (10 m)		 Two Harbors Light
(1892)[20]C
Nebraska Linoma Lighthouse
100 ft (30 m)		 Lake Minatare Light
55 ft (17 m)		 N/A
Ohio Northwood Light
161 ft (49 m)[21]		 Port Clinton Light
20 ft (6.1 m)		 Marblehead Light
(1821)[22]
Wisconsin Rawley Point Light
111 ft (34 m)		 Baileys Harbor Front RL
21 ft (6.4 m)[23]		 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) which is located in Kearney.

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 / 41.06222; -96.31889 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 / 41.93056; -103.50139 1939 Always Active Decorative 55 ft (17 m)

Pacific (states)

Clover Island Lighthouse (built 2010), in Washington is the first to be built in the United States since 1962.[24]
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)[25]
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)[26]		 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.B
State Tallest[1] (H) Shortest[1] (H) Oldest
(Currently standing)
Alabama Sand Island Light
131 ft (40 m)[27]		 Middle Bay Light
54 ft (16 m)[28]		 Sand Island Light
(1873)
Florida Ponce de Leon Light
175 ft (53 m)		 Cedar Key Light
23 ft (7.0 m)[29]		 Amelia Island Light
(1838)
Georgia Tybee Island Light
145 ft (44 m)[30]		 Cockspur Island Light
46 ft (14 m)		 Sapelo Island Light
(1820)
Louisiana Unknown Unknown Pass A L'Outre Light
(1852)H
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)		 N/A 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)		 N/A Point Isabel Light
(1852)
Virginia Cape Charles Light
191 ft (58 m)		 N/A Cape Henry Lighthouse
(1792)


United States territories

One of only two remaining lighthouses built during Japanese occupation.

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.[31][32][33]

Name Image Location Coordinates Year first lit Automated Year deactivated Current Lens Height
Baker Island Light Baker Island 0°11′44.8″N 176°29′03.4″W / 0.195778°N 176.484278°W / 0.195778; -176.484278 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 / 0.805722; -176.619056 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 / -0.370444; -160.006694 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 / 18.397417; -75.012833 1917 1929 1996 None 161 ft (49 m)
Sand Island Aviation Light N/A Midway Atoll 28°12′42.7″N 177°22′36.4″W / 28.211861°N 177.376778°W / 28.211861; -177.376778 Unknown Unknown Active Unknown 46 ft (14 m)
Wake Island Aviation Light N/A Wake Island 19°17′02.0″N 166°39′05.2″E / 19.283889°N 166.651444°E / 19.283889; 166.651444 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 2008-01-30.
  • 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).
  • Scott T. Price. "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.[34][35][36][37]
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][38]
C.^ Minnesota Point Light was built in 1858, but only half of the now ruined tower remains.[39]
D.^ The oldest light station is Pottawatomie Light which was established in 1836, the current buildings though date to 1858.[40]
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.[41] Moloka'i Light is the oldest currently standing lighthouse, it was first lit a month before the still standing Makapuu Point Light.[42][43]
H.^ Pass A L'Outre Light was originally constructed in 1852 elsewhere and moved to its present location.[44][45]
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 "The Oldest Lighthouse in Each New England State". New England Historical Society. 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 pages 46-50)" (PDF). Rhode Island Preservation. Retrieved 2014-11-10.
  7. 1 2 Susan Hodara (15 August 2014). "Taking In the History of New London, a City Shaped by the Sea". The New York Times.
  8. ↑ Marlo Jappen (July 22, 2015). "Secrets of the Fire Island Lighthouse". Newsday. Retrieved August 27, 2018.
  9. ↑ Unknown Author (March 11, 2011). Lighthouses of the Mid-Atlantic Coast. Voyageur Press. p. 145. Retrieved August 27, 2018.
  10. ↑ Linda J. Barth (June 25, 2018). New Jersey Originals: Technological Marvels, Odd Inventions, Trailblazing Characters & More. Arcadia Publishing. p. 86. Retrieved August 27, 2018.
  11. ↑ Francis Ross Holland (January 1, 1988). America's Lighthouses. Courier Corporation. p. 11. Retrieved August 27, 2018.
  12. ↑ "Liston Range Rear Light, DE". Kraig Anderson. Retrieved September 17, 2017.
  13. ↑ Unknown Author (March 11, 2011). Lighthouses of the Mid-Atlantic Coast. Voyageur Press. p. 149. Retrieved August 27, 2018.
  14. ↑ "Craighill Channel Lower Rear Lighthouse". Lighthouse Friends. Retrieved September 20, 2017.
  15. ↑ "Historic Light Station Information & Photography Maryland". United States Coast Guard. Retrieved September 20, 2017.
  16. ↑ "Lighthouses of the United States: Maryland Western Shore". www.unc.edu. Retrieved September 17, 2017.
  17. ↑ "No two lighthouses are alike". Tri County Times. June 29, 2017. Retrieved September 29, 2017.
  18. ↑ "Old Lighthouse Museum oldest in Indiana". The Michigan City News Dispatch. August 14, 2014. Retrieved September 4, 2018.
  19. ↑ "Fort Gratiot Lighthouse". PH Museum. Archived from the original on March 19, 2011. Retrieved September 4, 2018.
  20. ↑ Martin Hintz (2003). Minnesota Family Weekends. Big Earth Publishing. p. 78. Retrieved September 4, 2018.
  21. ↑ "Northwood, OH". Lighthouse Friends. Archived from the original on March 31, 2014. Retrieved September 28, 2017.
  22. ↑ "Marblehead Lighthouse". Lighthouse Friends. Retrieved September 4, 2018.
  23. ↑ Ken Wardius, and Barb Wardius (2000). Wisconsin Lighthouses: A Photographic & Historical Guide. Big Earth Publishing. p. 72. Retrieved August 27, 2018.
  24. ↑ Kennewick's Clover Island Lighthouse gets its lid Published 2010-01-07
  25. ↑ "Eldred Rock Lighthouse". Sheldon Museum. Retrieved September 4, 2018.
  26. ↑ "Yaquina Head Lighthouse". Bureau of Land Management. Retrieved November 11, 2014.
  27. ↑ "Inventory of Historic Lighthouses - Sand Island". National Park Service. Retrieved 2008-02-18.
  28. ↑ "Inventory of Historic Lighthouses - Mobile Middle Bay". National Park Service. Retrieved 2008-02-18.
  29. ↑ "Inventory of Historic Lighthouses - Cedar Keys". National Park Service. Retrieved 2008-05-06.
  30. ↑ Tybee Lighthouse website
  31. ↑ U:S: Pacific remote Islands The Lighthouse Directory. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Retrieved 6 November 2016
  32. ↑ Navassa Island The Lighthouse Directory. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Retrieved 6 November 2016
  33. ↑ NGA List of Lights – Pub.111 Retrieved 6 November 2016
  34. ↑ "Palmer Island, MA". Lighthouse Friends. Retrieved August 28, 2018.
  35. ↑ "Palmer Island Light Station". National Park Service. Retrieved August 28, 2018.
  36. ↑ Ray Bartlett (June 14, 2016). Moon Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard & Nantucket. Avalon Publishing. Retrieved August 28, 2018.
  37. ↑ Amy Jenness (October 7, 2014). On This Day in Nantucket History. Arcadia Publishing. Retrieved August 28, 2018.
  38. ↑ Dave Wobser. "Perry's Memorial Monument". lighthouse.boatnerd.com. Retrieved August 27, 2018.
  39. ↑ "Minnesota Point, MN". LighthouseFriends. Retrieved September 4, 2018.
  40. ↑ "Pottawatomie (Rock Island) Lighthouse". Lighthouse Friends. Retrieved October 16, 2017.
  41. ↑ "Lahaina Lighthouse". Lighthouse Friends. Retrieved August 27, 2018.
  42. ↑ "Makapu`u Lighthouse". Lighthouse Friends. Retrieved October 16, 2017.
  43. ↑ "Moloka`i (Kalaupapa) Lighthouse". Lighthouse Friends. Retrieved October 16, 2017.
  44. ↑ Lighthouse Board; Homans, Isaac Smith (November 24, 1856). Northeast Pass Lighthouse; Mouths of the Mississippi River. Hunt's Merchants' Magazine and Commercial Review. 36. p. 367. Retrieved September 6, 2017.
  45. ↑ Rowlett, Russ. "Lighthouses of the United States: Louisiana". The Lighthouse Directory. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Retrieved September 5, 2017.

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 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

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