Block Island North Lighthouse

Year Built

1867

Cost

$15,000

Type

Octagonal tower

Height

55 feet

Location

Sandy Point, New Shoreham

Automated Year

1955

First Lit

1867

Lens Type

Fourth order Fresnel lens

Fog Signal

None

Year Deactivated

1973-1989, 2008-2010

Color

Brown

Last Keeper - Date

Donald M. Lawson (1955 – 1956)

Description

Reaching the lighthouse requires walking for about 20 minutes from the parking area on a sandy beach. The lighthouse is open daily from late June to mid-September.

Brief History

•  1829, The original lighthouse and its 1837 replacement consisted of twin towers; they were both washed away into the sea.
•  In 1836 a wall was built to protect the lighthouse. This was a stopgap until a new lighthouse was built.
•  In 1973 the Coast Guard closed the lighthouse and replaced it with a light on a skeleton tower.
•  The town of New Shoreham acquired the lighthouse in 1984.
•  A 2001 inspection revealed that the iron tower was badly corroded, especially where it met the granite dwelling.