Cove Point Lighthouse

Year Built

1828

Cost

$6,000

Type

Conical tower

Height

38 feet

Location

Cove Point just south of Calvert Cliffs State Park

Automated Year

1986

First Lit

1828

Lens Type

Fourth-order Fresnel lens

Fog Signal

Foghorn

Year Deactivated

Active

Color

White

Last Keeper - Date

George S. Hopkins (1969 – at least 1971)

Description

The keeper's house can be rented as a vacation home, and the grounds are also open to the public during the summer months.

Brief History

•  The lighthouse was built in 1828. Several years later in 1837 fog bell was also installed.
•  In 1855 the light was improved when a fifth order Fresnel lens replaced the original reflector system.
•  In 1901 the current bell shed was built to house the engine that powered the second class Daboll trumpet fog horn.
•  1n 1986 the station was automated. An automatic fog detector and an automated lamp changer was installed.
•  In 2000 the light station was turned over to Calvert County and is open for visitation thru the Calvert County Marine Museum.