Newport Harbor Lighthouse

Year Built

1823 - Current 1842

Cost

$2,500 (original) $67,700 (current)

Type

Octagonal conical

Height

33 feet

Location

North end of Goat Island, Newport Harbor

Automated Year

1963

First Lit

1842 (current tower)

Lens Type

Fourth order Fresnel lens (original), VLB-44 (LED) (current)

Fog Signal

None

Year Deactivated

Active

Color

White w/black lantern

Last Keeper - Date

Charles Schoeneman (1883 – 1921)

Description

The tower still stands, but the keeper's quarters was removed after it was damaged.

Brief History

•  The first light on Goat Island was constructed in 1823–1824, but was transported in 1851 to Prudence Island, where the structure still remains as the Prudence Island Light.
•  In 1873, a fog bell and striking machinery were added to the station.
•  The keeper’s dwelling was badly damaged on November 9, 1921, when the 155-foot-long submarine N-4 rammed the breakwater.
•  After a private developer purchased Goat Island in the 1960s, the land between the northern end of Goat Island and the light was filled in to build a hotel.
•  In 2000, the Coast Guard leased the light to the American Lighthouse Foundation; it is managed by the Friends of Newport Harbor Lighthouse.