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

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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 133Boon Island Light
133 ft (41 m) 		020Pond Island Light
20 ft (6.1 m) 		1791Portland Head Light
(1791)[3]
Massachusetts 124Cape Ann Light
124 ft (38 m) 		DisputedA 1783Boston Light
(1783)[4]
New Hampshire 058Isles of Shoals Light
58 ft (18 m) 		048Portsmouth Harbor Light
48 ft (15 m) 		1865Isles of Shoals Light
(1859)[5]
Rhode Island 066Sakonnet Light
66 ft (20 m) 		013Ida Lewis Rock Light
13 ft (4.0 m) 		1831Poplar Point Light
(1831)[6]
Connecticut 089New London Harbor Light
89 ft (27 m)[7] 		025Mystic Seaport Light
25 ft (7.6 m) 		1801New London Harbor Light
(1801)[7]
Vermont 040Windmill Point Light
40 ft (12 m) 		013Whipple Point Light
13 ft (4.0 m) 		1846Juniper 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 / 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

[9]

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; -73.229778 1857
(Original)
2003
(current) 		2003
(Replica) 		Active Un­known 035 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 012 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 035 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 025 25 ft (7.6 m)
Juniper Island Light — 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 025 25 ft (7.6 m)
Maxfield Point Light — Orleans Un­known 1879 Un­known Un­known None 025 40 ft (12 m)
Newport Wharf Light — Orleans Un­known 1879 Un­known Un­known None 025 37 ft (11 m)
Windmill Point Light — 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 025 40 ft (12 m)
Whipple Point Light — Orleans Un­known 1879 Un­known 1906 None 025 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 168Fire Island Lighthouse
168 ft (51 m)[10]B 		015Cape Vincent Light
15 ft (4.6 m) 		1797Montauk Point Light
(1797)[11]
New Jersey 171Absecon Light
171 ft (52 m)[12] 		036Ludlam's Beach Light
36 ft (11 m) 		1764Sandy Hook Light
(1764)[13]
Pennsylvania 068Presque Isle Light
68 ft (21 m) 		030Turtle Rock Light
30 ft (9.1 m) 		1857Erie Harbor Light
(1857)
Delaware 120Liston Range Rear Light
120 ft (37 m)[14] 		035Cherry Island Light
35 ft (11 m) 		1858Fenwick Island Light
(1858)[15]
Maryland 105Craighill Channel L.R.R.
105 ft (32 m)[16] 		015Craighill Channel U.R.F.
15 ft (4.6 m)[17] 		1825Pooles Island Light
(1825)[18]

Midwest

Michigan has more lighthouses (still standing) than any other state with over 120 listed. Including historical lighthouse, there were 150 built.[19] (Tawas Point Light shown here)
State Tallest[1] (H) Shortest[1] (H) Oldest
(currently standing)
Illinois 113Grosse Point Light
113 ft (34 m) 		035Waukegan Harbor Light
35 ft (11 m) 		1873Grosse Point Light
(1873)
Indiana 055Buffington Breakwater Light
55 ft (17 m) 		030Gary Breakwater Light
30 ft (9.1 m) 		1858Old Michigan City Light
(1858)[20]
Michigan 124White Shoal Light
121 ft (37 m) 		025Cheboygan Crib Light
25 ft (7.6 m) 		1825Fort Gratiot Light
(1825)[21]
Minnesota 070Duluth South Breakwater I.L.
70 ft (21 m) 		034Grand Marais Light
34 ft (10 m) 		1892Two Harbors Light
(1892)[22]C
Nebraska 100Linoma Lighthouse
100 ft (30 m) 		055Lake Minatare Light
55 ft (17 m) 		—
Ohio 161Northwood Light
161 ft (49 m)[23] 		020Port Clinton Light
20 ft (6.1 m) 		1821Marblehead Light
(1821)[24]
Wisconsin 111Rawley Point Light
111 ft (34 m) 		021Baileys Harbor Front RL
21 ft (6.4 m)[25] 		1853Baileys 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 / 41.06222; -96.31889 1939 Always Active Decorative 100 100 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 055 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.[28]
State Tallest[1] (H) Shortest[1] (H) Oldest
(currently standing)
Alaska 075Cape Decision Light
75 ft (23 m) 		020Point Sherman Light
20 ft (6.1 m)E 		1906Eldred Rock Light
(1906)[29]
Washington 107Grays Harbor Light
107 ft (33 m) 		020Turn Point Light
20 ft (6.1 m) 		1856Cape Disappointment
(1856)
Oregon 093Yaquina Head Light
93 ft (28 m)[30] 		025Warrior Rock Light
25 ft (7.6 m) 		1870Cape Blanco Light
(1870)
California 115Pigeon Point Light
Point Arena Light
115 ft (35 m)F 		020Lime Point Light
20 ft (6.1 m) 		1855Point Pinos Light
(1855)
Hawaii 138Moloka'i Light
138 ft (42 m) 		022Kuki'i Point Light
22 ft (6.7 m) 		1909Moloka'i Light
(1909)G

South

America's tallest lighthouse, Cape Hatteras Light, located on the Outer Banks of North CarolinaB
State Tallest[1] (H) Shortest[1] (H) Oldest
(currently standing)
Alabama 131Sand Island Light
131 ft (40 m)[31] 		054Middle Bay Light
54 ft (16 m)[32] 		1873Sand Island Light
(1873)
Florida 175Ponce de Leon Light
175 ft (53 m) 		023Cedar Key Light
23 ft (7.0 m)[33] 		1838Amelia Island Light
(1838)
Georgia 145Tybee Island Light
145 ft (44 m)[34] 		046Cockspur Island Light
46 ft (14 m) 		1820Sapelo Island Light
(1820)
Louisiana Un­known Un­known 1852New Canal Light
(1839[35])
Mississippi 061Biloxi Light
61 ft (19 m) 		030 Tie
30 ft (9.1 m)I 		1848Biloxi Light
(1848)
North Carolina 210Cape Hatteras Light
210 ft (64 m) 		— 1817Bald Head Light
(1817)
South Carolina 161Morris Island Light
161 ft (49 m) 		018Haig Point F. R. Light
18 ft (5.5 m) 		1827Cape Romain Light (Old)
(1827)
Texas 116Point Bolivar Light
116 ft (35 m) 		— 1852Point Isabel Light
(1852)
Virginia 191Cape Charles Light
191 ft (58 m) 		1855Deepwater Shoals Light
(1855) 		1792Cape Henry Lighthouse
(1792)

United States territories

Garapan Light in Saipan, one of only two remaining lighthouses built during Japanese occupation
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (October 2017)

Main articles: List of lighthouses in the United States territories and List of lighthouses in Puerto Rico

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 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 016 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 020 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 016 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 161 161 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 / 28.211861; -177.376778 Un­known Un­known Active Un­known 046 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 / 19.283889; 166.651444 Un­known Un­known Active Un­known 052 52 ft (16 m)

See also

Further reading

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

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Lighthouse Listing By Tower height". www.us-lighthouses.com. Retrieved September 14, 2017.
  2. ^ a b "The Oldest Lighthouse in Each New England State". New England Historical Society. 20 January 2018. 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 pp. 46–50)" (PDF). Rhode Island Preservation. Retrieved November 10, 2014.
  7. ^ a b Susan Hodara (15 August 2014). "Taking In the History of New London, a City Shaped by the Sea". The New York Times.
  8. ^ "Historic Light Station Information and Photography: New Hampshire". United States Coast Guard Historian's Office. Archived from the original on 2017-05-01.
  9. ^ "Historic Light Station Information and Photography: Vermont". United States Coast Guard Historian's Office. Archived from the original on 2017-05-01.
  10. ^ Marlo Jappen (July 22, 2015). "Secrets of the Fire Island Lighthouse". Newsday. Archived from the original on August 27, 2018. Retrieved August 27, 2018.
  11. ^ Unknown Author (March 11, 2011). Lighthouses of the Mid-Atlantic Coast. Voyageur Press. p. 145. ISBN 9780760339510. Retrieved August 27, 2018. ((cite book)): |author= has generic name (help)
  12. ^ Linda J. Barth (June 25, 2018). New Jersey Originals: Technological Marvels, Odd Inventions, Trailblazing Characters & More. Arcadia Publishing. p. 86. ISBN 9781467139267. Retrieved August 27, 2018.
  13. ^ Francis Ross Holland (January 1, 1988). America's Lighthouses. Courier Corporation. p. 11. ISBN 9780486255767. Retrieved August 27, 2018.
  14. ^ "Liston Range Rear Light, DE". Kraig Anderson. Retrieved September 17, 2017.
  15. ^ Unknown Author (March 11, 2011). Lighthouses of the Mid-Atlantic Coast. Voyageur Press. p. 149. ISBN 9780760339510. Retrieved August 27, 2018. ((cite book)): |author= has generic name (help)
  16. ^ "Craighill Channel Lower Rear Lighthouse". Lighthouse Friends. Retrieved September 20, 2017.
  17. ^ "Historic Light Station Information & Photography Maryland". United States Coast Guard. Retrieved September 20, 2017.
  18. ^ Rowlett, Russ. "Lighthouses of the United States: Maryland". The Lighthouse Directory. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Retrieved September 17, 2017.
  19. ^ "No two lighthouses are alike". Tri County Times. June 29, 2017. Retrieved September 29, 2017.
  20. ^ "Old Lighthouse Museum oldest in Indiana". The Michigan City News Dispatch. August 14, 2014. Retrieved September 4, 2018.
  21. ^ "Fort Gratiot Lighthouse". PH Museum. Archived from the original on March 19, 2011. Retrieved September 4, 2018.
  22. ^ Martin Hintz (2003). Minnesota Family Weekends. Big Earth Publishing. p. 78. ISBN 9781931599221. Retrieved September 4, 2018.
  23. ^ "Northwood, OH". Lighthouse Friends. Archived from the original on March 31, 2014. Retrieved September 28, 2017.
  24. ^ "Marblehead Lighthouse". Lighthouse Friends. Retrieved September 4, 2018.
  25. ^ Ken Wardius, and Barb Wardius (2000). Wisconsin Lighthouses: A Photographic & Historical Guide. Big Earth Publishing. p. 72. ISBN 9781879483606. Retrieved August 27, 2018.
  26. ^ Lighthouse and rock garden at Harmon Park
  27. ^ English: Harmon Park
  28. ^ Kennewick's Clover Island Lighthouse gets its lid Published 2010-01-07
  29. ^ "Eldred Rock Lighthouse". Sheldon Museum. Retrieved September 4, 2018.
  30. ^ "Yaquina Head Lighthouse". Bureau of Land Management. Archived from the original on May 22, 2021. Retrieved November 11, 2014.
  31. ^ "Inventory of Historic Lighthouses - Sand Island". National Park Service. Retrieved February 18, 2008.
  32. ^ "Inventory of Historic Lighthouses - Mobile Middle Bay". National Park Service. Retrieved February 18, 2008.
  33. ^ "Inventory of Historic Lighthouses - Cedar Keys". National Park Service. Retrieved May 6, 2008.
  34. ^ "Home | Tybee Island Light Station And Museum". tybeelighthouse.org. Retrieved January 12, 2021.
  35. ^ Cipra, David L. (1997). Lighthouses, Lightships, and the Gulf of Mexico. Cypress Communications. ISBN 0963641212.
  36. ^ Rowlett, Russ. "Lighthouses of U.S. Pacific Remote Islands". The Lighthouse Directory. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Retrieved 2016-11-06.
  37. ^ Rowlett, Russ. "Navassa Island Lighthouse". The Lighthouse Directory. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Retrieved 2016-11-06.
  38. ^ NGA List of Lights – Pub.111 Retrieved November 6, 2016.
  39. ^ "Palmer Island, MA". Lighthouse Friends. Retrieved August 28, 2018.
  40. ^ "Palmer Island Light Station". National Park Service. Retrieved August 28, 2018.
  41. ^ Ray Bartlett (June 14, 2016). Moon Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard & Nantucket. Avalon Publishing. ISBN 9781631212697. Retrieved August 28, 2018.
  42. ^ Amy Jenness (October 7, 2014). On This Day in Nantucket History. Arcadia Publishing. ISBN 9781625851598. Retrieved August 28, 2018.
  43. ^ Dave Wobser. "Perry's Memorial Monument". lighthouse.boatnerd.com. Archived from the original on March 13, 2017. Retrieved August 27, 2018.
  44. ^ "Minnesota Point, MN". LighthouseFriends. Retrieved September 4, 2018.
  45. ^ "Pottawatomie (Rock Island) Lighthouse". Lighthouse Friends. Retrieved October 16, 2017.
  46. ^ "Lahaina Lighthouse". Lighthouse Friends. Retrieved August 27, 2018.
  47. ^ "Makapu'u Lighthouse". Lighthouse Friends. Retrieved October 16, 2017.
  48. ^ "Moloka'i (Kalaupapa) Lighthouse". Lighthouse Friends. Retrieved October 16, 2017.
  49. ^ Lighthouse Board; Homans, Isaac Smith (November 24, 1856). Northeast Pass Lighthouse; Mouths of the Mississippi River. Vol. 36. p. 367. Retrieved September 6, 2017. ((cite book)): |work= ignored (help)
  50. ^ Rowlett, Russ. "Lighthouses of Louisiana". The Lighthouse Directory. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Retrieved September 5, 2017.

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