Assateague Lighthouse

Year Built

1867

Cost

$55,000

Type

Conical

Height

142 feet

Location

South of Chincoteague

Automated Year

1933

First Lit

1867

Lens Type

First-order Fresnel Lens

Fog Signal

None

Year Deactivated

Active

Color

Red and white stripes, black lantern

Last Keeper - Date

Walter J. Westcott (1922 – 1933)

Description

The top of the lighthouse is accessible to the public.

Brief History

•  Work began in 1860 but was suspended during the Civil War. The current structure was completed and lit in 1867. The keeper’s quarters were built in 1867.
•  John L. Anderton began his service as head keeper of Assateague Lighthouse in 1874 and served in this capacity for over forty-five years, far longer than any other head keeper.
•  In 1933 the lens was powered by electricity from a generator and the characteristic changed from fixed white to flashing.
•  In 1963 when electric power lines finally reached the Island a Directional Coded Beacon was installed.
•  In June 2004, the property was transferred to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service under the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act of 2000; the Chincoteague Natural History