Lighthouses Available For Transfer To Non-Profits

The National Park Service has finally released the list of lighthouses that have been excessed by the Coast Guard for this year. These lighthouses are only available after a rigorous vetting process to qualified state and local governments, nonprofit corporations, educational agencies, other federal agencies, and community development organizations. There’s no charge for these lighthouses if they are transferred under the National Historic Preservation Act of 2000, other than the costs of restoring and maintaining them. As always, the lights are working beacons and the Coast Guard maintains unrestricted access to the optics. And the usage of these lights must be to make them as available to the public for educational, cultural and recreational purposes.

If the National Park Service does not find a suitable caretaker, these beacons may eventually go up for auction to the general public. With any luck that will not happen, and new stewards will be found to care for these historic towers. Information on the lights below is from Russ Rowlett’s excellent site.

Maine

• Saddleback Ledge Lighthouse
  • This historic lighthouse, designed by Alexander Parris, is the first successful waveswept lighthouse to be built in the U.S. Located on a tiny, isolated island in the mouth of Isle au Haut Bay, between Isle au Haut and Vinalhaven. Accessible only by helicopter; it can be seen by boat, but it is almost impossible to land on the rocky island.

Massachussetts

• Minot’s Ledge Lighthouse
  • The lighthouse is famous for its highly exposed location; the first tower (1850) was swept away by waves in less than a year (April 1851). This tower took 5 years to build and is still considered a major engineering accomplishment. The tower was restored in 1989. Located about 1 ¼ (2 km) northeast of Minot Point and is accessible only by boat. Alleged to be haunted. Notice of Availability. Fact Sheet.

Michigan

• Grand Haven South Pierhead Inner and Entrance Lighthouses
  • The catwalk (1922) linking both lighthouses to shore was renovated in 1987-88 after citizen protests stopped the Coast Guard from demolishing it. The Coast Guard renovated the lighthouse in spring and early summer 2001. Located on South Harbor Street in Grand Haven adjacent to Grand Haven State Park. Both lighthouses are accessible in good weather by walking the pier. These two are among the most photographed in the world for their dramatic wave shots. Notice of Availability and Fact Sheet.
• Waugoshance Lighthouse
  • Gravely endangered, the Waugoshance Lighthouse Preservation Society has begun working on the preservation of the lighthouse. Their first priority has been in raising funds to stabilize the building. Located about 2 miles (3 km) northwest of Waugoshance Island, it’s accessible only by boat in dangerous waters. And it too is allegedly haunted. Notice of Availability and Fact Sheet.
• Manistee North Pierhead Lighthouse
  • Another photogenic lighthouse, it is linked to shore by the pier and by a narrow catwalk, which was restored in the early 1990s. Located in downtown Manistee. There is a nearby city park for accessibility and parking. Great photo opportunities of waves breaking over the light and pier. Notice of Availability and Fact Sheet.

New Jersey

• Robbins Reef Lighthouse
  • Also known as Kate’s Light, The lighthouse is nicknamed for Kate Walker, its legendary keeper, who tended the light from 1894 to 1919. Located off Bayonne, about 2 miles southwest of the Statue of Liberty. The lighthouse is a familiar sight for passengers of the Staten Island Ferry. Accessible only by boat. Notice of Availability. Fact Sheet.

New York

• Little Gull Island Lighthouse
  • Located on Little Gull Island off the east point of Plum Island, the lighthouse is accessible only by boat. The original 2nd order Fresnel lens has been removed and is displayed at the East End Seaport Maritime Museum in Greenport. Notice of Availability. Fact Sheet.

• Race Rock Lighthouse
  • Recently added to the list of lighthouses, this octagonal cylindrical granite tower with lantern and gallery, rising from one side of a 1-1/2 story granite Gothic revival keeper’s house is mounted on a granite caisson and protected by rip rap. The light is located on a reef 3/4 mile west southwest of Race Point, the western tip of Fisher’s Island (eastern Long Island Sound).

Puerto Rico

• Punta Tuna Lighthouse
  • The first from Puerto Rico to be excessed. Located southeast of Maunabo on a sharp promontory at the southeasternmost point of the island, a support organization called Faro de Punta Tuna or Punta Tuna Lighthouse has been working toward ownership and restoration of the lighthouse.

Washington

• Point No Point Lighthouse
  • This is the oldest Puget Sound lighthouse. The light station was leased to Kitsap County in 1998; the county then purchased several tracts adjoining the light station to create a county park. In 2008, the United States Lighthouse Society relocated its headquarters from San Francisco to this light station.

Wisconsin

• Kewaunee Pierhead Lighthouse
  • Located at the end of the breakwater on the south side of the Kewaunee River Entrance in downtown Kewaunee. Still has the original 5th Order Fresnel lens. Foghorn was transferred to Duluth, MN. The lighthouse is accessible via the pier. Notice of Availability and Fact Sheet.
• Manitowoc Breakwater Lighthouse
  • Looking somewhat like a wedding cake, or at least a Victorian era home, this lighthouse is located at the end of the breakwater on the north side of the harbor. Parking is available at the marina nearby. Accessible via the breakwater. Original 4th Order Fresnel is on display at the Wisconsin Maritime Museum in downtown Manitowoc. Notice of Availability and Fact Sheet.

Photo Credits: All photos from Webshots members. Please click on the thumbnail for larger image and credits.

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