Thomas Point Shoal Lighthouse

Year Built

1875

Cost

$35,000

Type

Square lantern on hexagonal house

Height

49 feet

Location

Thomas Point at the mouth of the South River in the Chesapeake Bay

Automated Year

1986

First Lit

1875

Lens Type

Fourth-order Fresnel lens (original), 9.8 inches (250 mm) solar-powered lens

Fog Signal

Horn: 1 every 15 sec

Year Deactivated

Active

Color

White with red roof and black lantern

Last Keeper - Date

Raymond C. Peters (1954 – 1956)

Description

The access to the lighthouse is open to the public.

Brief History

•  The State of Maryland conveyed five acres of submerged land to the Federal Government on October 28, 1874, and Thomas Point Shoal Lighthouse was ready for its inaugural lighting on November 20, 1875.
•  On April 15, 1888, the station’s characteristic of a red flash seen from all directions was altered to display a flashing white light.
•  In 1972 the Coast Guard announced that it was considering plans to automate the station and dismantle the cottage.
•  By 1964, Thomas Point Shoal Lighthouse was the only staffed offshore station on Chesapeake Bay.
•  The lighthouse was manned until 1986 and was the last lighthouse on the Chesapeake Bay to be fully automated.