Dutch Island Lighthouse

Year Built

1826

Cost

$4,000

Type

Square tower

Height

42 feet

Location

Jamestown

Automated Year

1947

First Lit

1857

Lens Type

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

Fog Signal

None

Year Deactivated

1979 - 2007

Color

White with black lantern

Last Keeper - Date

Ernest H. Stacey (1936 – 1947)

Description

The tower, concrete storage building, remains of cistern.

Brief History

•  In the Lighthouse Board's 1855 annual report, the condition of the lantern and tower were described as "extremely bad."
•  Dutch Island Lighthouse's light was extinguished during World War II. This was done so it couldn't be used as an aid to navigation by German U-boats.
•  In 1949 Dutch Island Light was put in danger by the U.S. Navy. In February they announced Dutch Island was going to be used as a bombing range.
•  In 1972, the Coast Guard decided to deactivate the light.
•  In 2000, the lighthouse was leased to the American Lighthouse Foundation, and the Dutch Island Lighthouse Society was established to raise funds to preserve and restore the tower.