Poplar Point Lighthouse

Year Built

1831

Cost

$1,889

Type

Octagonal with attached house

Height

48 feet

Location

Entrance to Wickford Harbor

Automated Year

N/A

First Lit

1831

Lens Type

8 lamps, 14.5 inches (original) - Fifth-order Fresnel lens (1855) (removed)

Fog Signal

None

Year Deactivated

1882

Color

White with black trim

Last Keeper - Date

Edward Andrews (1893 – 1930)

Description

This lighthouse is privately owned and it is not open to the public.

Brief History

•  Poplar Point’s first keeper was Samuel Thomas, Jr., who received his appointment in November of 1831 at an annual salary of $350.
•  A sixth-order steamer lens and single Argand lamp replaced the array of eight lamps and reflectors in 1855, but still showed a fixed white light.
•  After Poplar Point was discontinued, the land and buildings were sold at auction to Albert R. Sherman of Pawtuxet, Rhode Island for $4,000 on October 15, 1894.
•  Though Poplar Point Lighthouse was the ninth lighthouse built in Rhode Island, it is now the oldest lighthouse in the state still on its original site.
•  In 2011, the lighthouse residence, which includes a swimming pool, was on the market for $6.45 million.