Delaware River & Bay Lighthouse Foundation Cancels Lease
By Sue Clark on Sep 26, 2007 in News 
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The Cape Gazetter reported that the Delaware River and Bay Lighthouse Foundation has cancelled its thirty year lease with the Coast Guard for Liston Rear Range Light. According to the story, Judith Roales, foundation president stated, “We don’t have the resources to take care of the light, especially given its distance from Sussex County. Roales said the Liston Range Rear Light, on the Delaware River near Taylor’s Bridge, is an 80-mile trip from Sussex County. She said the foundation board decided at its meeting this month to discontinue its lease of the light with the U.S. Coast Guard. The fact the light is also pretty inaccessible to visitors helped make the decision to give it back.
The light, 120 feet tall, is one of two guiding mariners into the Delaware River near Taylor’s Bridge in New Castle County. First lit in 1877, it was originally Port Penn rear range light and was relocated in 1905. It still has its original second order Fresnel lens in use. Its companion light, the front range, is 45 feet tall and is an integral part of the house.
It is extremely sad the Delaware River & Bay Lighthouse Foundation feels it has to give up this light, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. According to the story, some members also felt that sadness. “It was a sad decision for all of us. Everyone is fond of that light. We cried a little,†said Roales. They plan to continue their stewardship of the Harbor of Refuge Lighthouse in Lewes Harbor and the Delaware Breakwater East End Lighthouse.
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