Old Point Comfort Lighthouse

Year Built

1803

Cost

$5,000

Type

Octagonal tower

Height

58 feet

Location

Fenwick Rd., SW of E gate of Fort Monroe, Hampton

Automated Year

1972

First Lit

1804

Lens Type

Fourth order Fresnel lens

Fog Signal

None

Year Deactivated

Active

Color

White w/red lantern

Last Keeper - Date

William J. Hofheinz (1970 – 1972)

Description

Visitors can stroll around the lighthouse’s exterior or enjoy a picnic near its base.

Brief History

•  It is known that in 1775 John Dams received the sum of 20 pound annually for showing a light there.
•  Captain Vickery was appointed the first keeper of the lighthouse on February 11, 1804.
•  During the War of 1812 the British captured the fort and used the lighthouse as an observation post.
•  Keeper’s house was built in 1823; in 1891 a new keeper’s dwelling was built to replace the house.
•  The keeper’s dwelling housed the families of two coastguardsmen until automation in 1973; presently it is the house of an Army Major.