Piney Point Lighthouse

Year Built

1836

Cost

$5,000

Type

Conical tower

Height

34 feet

Location

Piney Point in St. Marys County

Automated Year

1939

First Lit

1936

Lens Type

Fifth-order Fresnel lens

Fog Signal

Fog bell tower (no longer standing)

Year Deactivated

1964

Color

White w/black lantern

Last Keeper - Date

William W. Wrightson (1962 – 1963)

Description

The lighthouse tower and keeper’s quarters are open for regular tours.

Brief History

•  On June 5, 1855, the old lighting apparatus of ten oil lamps and fifteen-inch reflectors was replaced by a more efficient fifth-order Fresnel lens.
•  In March 1880, a thirty-foot, wooden fog bell tower, built in the Victorian style, was added to the station to aid mariners in low-visibility conditions.
•  In 1884 the keepers dwelling was expanded with the addition of a second story, porch, and new windows.
•  In 1954 the bell tower had to be torn down because of damage suffered during Hurricane Hazel. It was not re-built.
•  The lighthouse was decommissioned in 1964. However, the Coast Guard continued to use the dwelling for staff housing for the next 15 years.