Cherry Island Range Lighthouse

Year Built

1880

Cost

$10,000

Type

Square skeletal tower with light (current) - square tower atop a 2-story keeper's house (first)

Height

35 feet

Location

Bellefonte

Automated Year

N/A

First Lit

1880

Lens Type

N/A

Fog Signal

None

Year Deactivated

1970

Color

White (original)

Last Keeper - Date

Jim Coffey (at least 1965)

Description

All that remains at the location today is a historic oil house, built in 1897, and a skeletal tower supporting a red light.

Brief History

•  A handsome, two-story dwelling was built for the keeper with a veranda running along its front and a square tower, topped by a pyramidal roof and ventilator ball, jutting up an additional story from one corner.
•  A fire broke out at Edgemoor Depot near the front range light in 1925, destroying the depot’s warehouse.
•  In 1930, Julian Bacon was transferred to Cherry Island Rear Range Lighthouse after having been in charge of Elbow of Cross Ledge Lighthouse for several years.
•  Cherry Island Rear Range Lighthouse remained standing until 1970 or 1971, when the Coast Guard decided to tear the historic structure down rather than attempt to refurbish it or have someone move it from the site.
•   The present light is a skeletal tower supporting a red light.