Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse

Year Built

1771 (original tower) - 1878 (current tower)

Cost

$1,500

Type

Conical

Height

48 feet

Location

Portsmouth Harbor, Piscataqua River, New Castle

Automated Year

1960

First Lit

1878

Lens Type

Fourth order Fresnel, 1854

Fog Signal

None

Year Deactivated

Active

Color

White w/black lantern

Last Keeper - Date

Elson Small (1946 – 1948)

Description

In 1878, a new cast-iron, brick-lined lighthouse tower was erected on the same foundation as the 1804 tower. Other structures at the light station that are still standing are the 1903 oil house (restored in 2004) and the 1872 keeper's house.

Brief History

•  In 1771, Royal Governor John Wentworth had a hexagonal, wooden lighthouse built at Fort Point.
•  Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse was transferred to the federal government in 1791, and on July 18, 1793.
•  The tower was shortened to fifty-five feet in 1851, and on December 29, 1854.
•  In 1871, the old dwelling was torn down and a new one was built on the same foundation.
•  The Friends of Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse, a chapter of the American Lighthouse Foundation was formed in 2001 to care for the lighthouse.