thumb|right|Boston Light, the oldest light station and second oldest lighthouse structure in the US
thumb|right|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.
<!-- Please place all active US light stations at "XX Light," not "XX Lighthouse," as "Light" is the official name according to the USCG and USFS bodies responsible for maintaining these light stations. -->
New England
thumb|Boon Island Light in Maine is the tallest in [[New England.]]
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!State
!Tallest (H)
!Shortest<br /><small>(currently standing)</small>
|-
| Maine
| style="text-align: center;"| <span style="display:none">133</span>Boon Island Light<br />
| style="text-align: center;"| <span style="display:none">020</span>Pond Island Light<br />
| style="text-align: center;"| <span style="display:none">1791</span>Portland Head Light<br />(1791)
|-
| Massachusetts
| style="text-align: center;"| <span style="display:none">124</span>Cape Ann Light<br />
| style="text-align: center;"| Disputed
| style="text-align: center;"| <span style="display:none">1783</span>Boston Light<br />(1783)
|-
| New Hampshire
| style="text-align: center;"| <span style="display:none">058</span>Isles of Shoals Light<br />
| style="text-align: center;"| <span style="display:none">048</span>Portsmouth Harbor Light<br />
| style="text-align: center;"| <span style="display:none">1865</span>Isles of Shoals Light<br />(1859)
|-
| Rhode Island
| style="text-align: center;"| <span style="display:none">066</span>Sakonnet Light<br />
| style="text-align: center;"| <span style="display:none">013</span>Ida Lewis Rock Light<br />
| style="text-align: center;"| <span style="display:none">1831</span>Poplar Point Light<br />(1831)
|-
| Connecticut
| style="text-align: center;"| <span style="display:none">089</span>New London Harbor Light<br />
| style="text-align: center;"| <span style="display:none">025</span>Mystic Seaport Light<br />
| style="text-align: center;"| <span style="display:none">1801</span>New London Harbor Light<br />(1801)
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Name
! scope="col" class="unsortable"| Image
! Location
! width="100"| Coordinates
! Year first lit
! Automated
! Year deactivated
! Current lens
! Focal height
|-
| Isles of Shoals Light
| 100px
| Isles of Shoals
| <small></small>
| style="text-align: center;"| 1859
| style="text-align: center;"| 1987
| style="text-align: center;"| Active
| style="text-align: center;"| VLB-44 LED unit
| style="text-align: center;"|
|-
| Portsmouth Harbor Light
| 100px
| New Castle
| <small></small>
| style="text-align: center;"| 1878
| style="text-align: center;"| 1960
| style="text-align: center;"| Active
| style="text-align: center;"| Fourth order Fresnel
| style="text-align: center;"|
|}
Vermont
- Note: All entries here show the current tower's status; more details can be found in the lighthouse articles.
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Name
! scope="col" class="unsortable"|Image
! Location
! width="100"| Coordinates
! Year first lit
! Automated
! Year deactivated
! Current lens
! Focal height
|-
| Burlington Breakwater North Light
| 100px
| Burlington
|
| style="text-align: center;"| 1857 <br /><small>(original)</small><br /> 2003<br /><small>(current)</small>
| style="text-align: center;"| 2003 <br /><small>(replica)</small>
| style="text-align: center;"| Active
|
| style="text-align: center;"| <span style="display:none">035</span>
|-
| Burlington Breakwater South Light
| 100px
| Burlington
|
| style="text-align: center;"| 1857 <br /><small>(original)</small><br /> 2003<br /><small>(current)</small>
| style="text-align: center;"| 2003 <br /><small>(replica)</small>
| style="text-align: center;"| Active
|
| style="text-align: center;"| <span style="display:none">012</span>
|-
| Colchester Reef Light
| 100px
| Shelburne
|
| style="text-align: center;"| 1871
| style="text-align: center;"| Never
| style="text-align: center;"| 1933
| style="text-align: center;"| None
| style="text-align: center;"| <span style="display:none">035</span>
|-
| Isle La Motte Light
| 100px
| Isle La Motte
|
| style="text-align: center;"| 1856 <br /><small>(original)</small><br /> 1881<br /><small>(current)</small>
|
|
| style="text-align: center;"| 300mm
| style="text-align: center;"| <span style="display:none">025</span>
|-
| Juniper Island Light
| 100px
| South Burlington<!--Juniper Island is a part of the city-->
|
| style="text-align: center;"| 1826 <br /><small>(original)</small><br /> 1846<br /><small>(current)</small>
| style="text-align: center;"| Never
| style="text-align: center;"| 1954
| style="text-align: center;"| None
| style="text-align: center;"| <span style="display:none">025</span>
|-
| Maxfield Point Light
|
| Orleans
|
| style="text-align: center;"| 1879
|
|
| style="text-align: center;"| None
| style="text-align: center;"| <span style="display:none">025</span>
|-
| Newport Wharf Light
|
| Orleans
|
| style="text-align: center;"| 1879
|
|
| style="text-align: center;"| None
| style="text-align: center;"| <span style="display:none">025</span>
|-
| Windmill Point Light
| 100px
| Isle La Motte
|
| style="text-align: center;"| 1830 <br /><small>(iriginal)</small><br /> 1858<br /><small>(current)</small>
|
| style="text-align: center;"| Active<br /><small>(inactive: 1931–2002)</small>
| style="text-align: center;"| 300 mm
| style="text-align: center;"| <span style="display:none">025</span>
|-
| Whipple Point Light
|
| Orleans
|
| style="text-align: center;"| 1879
|
| style="text-align: center;"| 1906
| style="text-align: center;"| None
| style="text-align: center;"| <span style="display:none">025</span>
|}
Mid-Atlantic
thumb|right|Sandy Hook Lighthouse is the oldest still standing in the United States.
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!State
!Tallest
| style="text-align: center;"| <span style="display:none">015</span>Cape Vincent Light<br />
| style="text-align: center;"| <span style="display:none">1797</span>Montauk Point Light<br />(1797)
|-
| New Jersey
| style="text-align: center;"| <span style="display:none">171</span>Absecon Light<br />
| style="text-align: center;"| <span style="display:none">036</span>Ludlam's Beach Light<br />
| style="text-align: center;"| <span style="display:none">1764</span>Sandy Hook Light<br />(1764)
|-
| Pennsylvania
| style="text-align: center;"| <span style="display:none">068</span>Presque Isle Light<br />
| style="text-align: center;"| <span style="display:none">030</span>Turtle Rock Light<br />
| style="text-align: center;"| <span style="display:none">1857</span>Erie Harbor Light<br />(1857)
|-
| Delaware
| style="text-align: center;"| <span style="display:none">120</span>Liston Range Rear Light<br />
| style="text-align: center;"| <span style="display:none">035</span>Cherry Island Light<br />
| style="text-align: center;"| <span style="display:none">1858</span>Fenwick Island Light<br />(1858)
|-
| Maryland
| style="text-align: center;"| <span style="display:none">105</span>Craighill Channel L.R.R.<br />
| style="text-align: center;"| <span style="display:none">015</span>Craighill Channel U.R.F.<br />
| style="text-align: center;"| <span style="display:none">1825</span>Pooles Island Light<br />(1825)
|}
Midwest
thumb|Michigan has more lighthouses (still standing) than any other state with over 120 listed. Including historical lighthouses, there were 150 built. ([[Tawas Point Light is shown here.)]]
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!State
!Tallest
|-
| Michigan
| style="text-align: center;"| <span style="display:none">124</span>White Shoal Light<br />
| style="text-align: center;"| <span style="display:none">025</span>Cheboygan Crib Light<br />
| style="text-align: center;"| <span style="display:none">1825</span>Fort Gratiot Light<br />(1825)
|-
| Minnesota
| style="text-align: center;"| <span style="display:none">070</span>Duluth South Breakwater I.L.<br />
| style="text-align: center;"| <span style="display:none">034</span>Grand Marais Light<br />
| style="text-align: center;"| <span style="display:none">1892</span>Two Harbors Light<br />(1892)
|-
| Nebraska
| style="text-align: center;"| <span style="display:none">100</span>Linoma Lighthouse<br />
| style="text-align: center;"| <span style="display:none">055</span>Lake Minatare Light<br />
|
|-
| Ohio
| style="text-align: center;"| <span style="display:none">161</span>Northwood Light<br />
| style="text-align: center;"| <span style="display:none">020</span>Port Clinton Light<br />
| style="text-align: center;"| <span style="display:none">1821</span>Marblehead Light<br />(1821)
|-
| Wisconsin
| style="text-align: center;"| <span style="display:none">111</span>Rawley Point Light<br />
| style="text-align: center;"| <span style="display:none">021</span>Baileys Harbor Front RL<br />
| style="text-align: center;"| <span style="display:none">1853</span>Baileys Harbor Light<br />(1853)
|}
Colorado
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!State
!Tallest
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.
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Name
! scope="col" class="unsortable"| Image
! Location
! width="100"| Coordinates
! Year first lit
! Automated
! Year deactivated
! Current lens
! Height
|-
| Linoma Lighthouse
| 100px
| Gretna
|
| style="text-align: center;"| 1939
| style="text-align: center;"| Always
| style="text-align: center;"| Active
| style="text-align: center;"| Decorative
| style="text-align: center;"| <span style="display:none">100</span>
|-
| Lake Minatare Lighthouse
| 100px
| Scottsbluff
|
| style="text-align: center;"| 1939
| style="text-align: center;"| Always
| style="text-align: center;"| Active
| style="text-align: center;"| Decorative
| style="text-align: center;"| <span style="display:none">055</span>
|}
Pacific (states)
thumb|[[Clover Island Lighthouse (built 2010) in Washington is the first to be built in the United States since 1962.]]
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!State
!Tallest
|-
| Washington
| style="text-align: center;"| <span style="display:none">107</span>Grays Harbor Light<br />
| style="text-align: center;"| <span style="display:none">020</span>Turn Point Light<br />
| style="text-align: center;"| <span style="display:none">1856</span>Cape Disappointment<br />(1856)
|-
| Oregon
| style="text-align: center;"| <span style="display:none">093</span>Yaquina Head Light<br />
| style="text-align: center;"| <span style="display:none">025</span>Warrior Rock Light<br />
| style="text-align: center;"| <span style="display:none">1870</span>Cape Blanco Light<br />(1870)
|-
| California
| style="text-align: center;"| <span style="display:none">115</span>Pigeon Point Light<br />Point Arena Light<br />
| style="text-align: center;"| <span style="display:none">020</span>Lime Point Light<br />
| style="text-align: center;"| <span style="display:none">1855</span>Point Pinos Light<br />(1855)
|-
| Hawaii
| style="text-align: center;"| <span style="display:none">138</span>Moloka'i Light<br />
| style="text-align: center;"| <span style="display:none">022</span>Kuki'i Point Light<br />
| style="text-align: center;"| <span style="display:none">1909</span>Moloka'i Light<br />(1909)
|}
South
thumb|America's tallest lighthouse, [[Cape Hatteras Light, located on the Outer Banks of North Carolina]]
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!State
!Tallest
| style="text-align: center;"| <span style="display:none">054</span>Middle Bay Light<br />
| style="text-align: center;"| <span style="display:none">1873</span>Sand Island Light<br />(1873)
|-
| Florida
| style="text-align: center;"| <span style="display:none">175</span>Ponce de Leon Light<br />
| style="text-align: center;"| <span style="display:none">023</span>Cedar Key Light<br />
| style="text-align: center;"| <span style="display:none">1838</span>Amelia Island Light<br />(1838)
|-
| Georgia
| style="text-align: center;"| <span style="display:none">145</span>Tybee Island Light<br />
| style="text-align: center;"| <span style="display:none">046</span>Cockspur Island Light<br />
| style="text-align: center;"| <span style="display:none">1820</span>Sapelo Island Light<br />(1820)
|-
| Louisiana
|
|
| style="text-align: center;"| <span style="display:none">1852</span>New Canal Light<!--also known as "New Basin Canal Lighthouse".--><br />(1839)
|-
| Mississippi
| style="text-align: center;"| <span style="display:none">061</span>Biloxi Light<br />
| style="text-align: center;"| <span style="display:none">030</span> Tie<br />
| style="text-align: center;"| <span style="display:none">1848</span>Biloxi Light<br />(1848)
|-
| North Carolina
| style="text-align: center;"| <span style="display:none">210</span>Cape Hatteras Light<br />
|
| style="text-align: center;"| <span style="display:none">1817</span>Bald Head Light<br />(1817)
|-
| South Carolina
| style="text-align: center;"| <span style="display:none">161</span>Morris Island Light<br />
| style="text-align: center;"| <span style="display:none">018</span>Haig Point F. R. Light<br />
| style="text-align: center;"| <span style="display:none">1827</span>Cape Romain Light (Old)<br />(1827)
|-
| Texas
| style="text-align: center;"| <span style="display:none">116</span>Point Bolivar Light<br />
|
| style="text-align: center;"| <span style="display:none">1852</span>Point Isabel Light<br />(1852)
|-
| Virginia
| style="text-align: center;"| <span style="display:none">191</span>Cape Charles Light<br />
| style="text-align: center;"| <span style="display:none">1855</span>Deepwater Shoals Light<br />(1855)
| style="text-align: center;"| <span style="display:none">1792</span>Cape Henry Lighthouse<br />(1792)
|}
<!--The following are placed here for now...
Kentucky
- Lighthouse Landing (Grand Rivers), at Kentucky Lake
;Notable faux lighthouses
- Louisville Waterfront Plaza, lighthouses on top of building
Oklahoma
- Lake Hefner Lighthouse, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
;Notable faux lighthouses
- Centennial Lighthouse, Elk City, Oklahoma
Tennessee
- Omohundo Waterworks Intake Crib, Nashville, Tennessee
;Notable faux lighthouse
- Carthage Light, on the Cumberland River near Carthage, Tennessee
-->
United States territories
thumb|[[Japanese Lighthouse (Garapan, Saipan)|Garapan Light in Saipan, one of only two remaining lighthouses built during Japanese occupation]]
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Territory
!Tallest (H)
!Shortest (H)
!Oldest
|-
| Northern Mariana Islands
| style="text-align: center;"| Japanese Light (a.k.a. Garapan Light)
(Unknown)
| style="text-align: center;"|
| style="text-align: center;"| Japanese Light (a.k.a. Garapan Light)
(1934)
|-
| Virgin Islands
| style="text-align: center;"| Hams Bluff Light
| style="text-align: center;"| Fort Luise Augusta Light
| style="text-align: center;"| Fort Luise Augusta Light (1919)
|}
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.
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Name
! scope="col" class="unsortable"| Image
! Location
! width="100"| Coordinates
! Year first lit
! Automated
! Year deactivated
! Current lens
! Height
|-
| Baker Island Light
| 100px
| Baker Island
|
| style="text-align: center;"| 1935
| style="text-align: center;"| Never
| style="text-align: center;"| 1942
| style="text-align: center;"| None
| style="text-align: center;"| <span style="display:none">016</span>
|-
| Howland Island Light<br /><small>(aka: Earhart Light)</small>
| 100px
| Howland Island
|
| style="text-align: center;"| 1937
| style="text-align: center;"| Never
| style="text-align: center;"| 1942
| style="text-align: center;"| None
| style="text-align: center;"| <span style="display:none">020</span>
|-
| Jarvis Island Light
| 100px
| Jarvis Island
|
| style="text-align: center;"| 1935
| style="text-align: center;"| Never
| style="text-align: center;"| 1945
| style="text-align: center;"| None
| style="text-align: center;"| <span style="display:none">016</span>
|-
| Navassa Island Light
| 100px
| Navassa Island
|
| style="text-align: center;"| 1917
| style="text-align: center;"| 1929
| style="text-align: center;"| 1996
| style="text-align: center;"| None
| style="text-align: center;"| <span style="display:none">161</span>
|-
| Sand Island Aviation Light
|
| Midway Atoll
|
|
|
| style="text-align: center;"| Active
|
| style="text-align: center;"| <span style="display:none">046</span>
|-
| Wake Island Aviation Light
|
| Wake Island
|
|
|
| style="text-align: center;"| Active
|
| style="text-align: center;"| <span style="display:none">052</span>
|}
See also
- List of lighthouses in the United States by height
- List of lightships of the United States
- Lists of lighthouses
- National Historic Preservation Act of 1966
- National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act
- United States Lighthouse Society
- United States Coast Guard History and Heritage Sites
Further reading
- Crompton, Samuel Willard & Michael J. Rhein, The Ultimate Book of Lighthouses (2002) ; .
- Hyde, Charles K., and Ann and John Mahan. The Northern Lights: Lighthouses of the Upper Great Lakes. Detroit: Wayne State University Press, 1995. .
- Jones, Ray & Bruce Roberts, American Lighthouses (Globe Pequot, September 1, 1998, 1st Ed.) ; .
- Jones, Ray,The Lighthouse Encyclopedia, The Definitive Reference (Globe Pequot, January 1, 2004, 1st ed.) ; .
- Noble, Dennis, Lighthouses & Keepers: U. S. Lighthouse Service and Its Legacy Annapolis: U. S. Naval Institute Press, 1997. ; .
- Oleszewski, Wes, Great Lakes Lighthouses, American and Canadian: A Comprehensive Directory/Guide to Great Lakes Lighthouses, (Gwinn, Michigan: Avery Color Studios, Inc., 1998) .
- Penrod, John, Lighthouses of Michigan, (Berrien Center, Michigan: Penrod/Hiawatha, 1998) .
- Penrose, Laurie and Bill, A Traveler's Guide to 116 Michigan Lighthouses (Petoskey, Michigan: Friede Publications, 1999).
- 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).
- U.S. Coast Guard, Historically Famous Lighthouses (Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1957).
- Wagner, John L., Michigan Lighthouses: An Aerial Photographic Perspective, (East Lansing, Michigan: John L. Wagner, 1998) .
- 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) .
Notes
:A. The shortest lighthouse in Massachusetts is either Palmer Island Light at or Brant Point Light at . Sources remain split on this issue, with at least one claiming the latter as the shortest in New England.
: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.
:C. Minnesota Point Light was built in 1858, but only half of the now ruined tower remains.
:D. The oldest light station is Pottawatomie Light which was established in 1836; however, the current buildings date to 1858.
: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 each.
:F. These two lighthouses are tied at each.
:G. The oldest lighthouse in Hawaii was called "Lahaina Lighthouse", which was built in 1905 before it was replaced. Moloka'i Light is the oldest currently standing lighthouse; it was first lit a month before the still standing Makapuu Point Light.
:H. Pass A L'Outre Light was originally constructed in 1852 elsewhere and moved to its present location.
: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
- Lighthouse Friends
- 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
- 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