There are a few lighthouses in Virginia that are worth checking out, especially if you are a huge fan of lighthouses.
The following Virginia lighthouses are somewhat open to the public and have parking nearby, with the exception of New Point Comfort, which is only accessible by boat. Many tourists plan their vacation around lighthouse visits and like to learn about the history of these magnificent towers.
A guide to Virginia lighthouses
Tidewater & Hampton Roads Old Ce Henry Lighthouse
The Old Ce Henry Lighthouse, built in 1792, is the oldest lighthouse in Cheseake Bay and the third oldest still standing in the United States. The unpainted sandstone tower is 90 feet high and has been reinforced with brick cladding. It serves as the official symbol for the city of Virginia Beach and is located on the grounds of Fort Story, a US Army base.
George Washington selects the keeper
In 1791, Alexander Hamilton signed a contract with John McComb Jr., his designer and bricklayer. After the lighthouse was completed, George Washington checked the list of applicants for the lighthouse keeper. The first keeper was Laban Goffigan from Norfolk, who lit the fish oil lamps to make Cheseake Bay safe for sea travelers.
Civil war causes damage
During the Civil War, Confederate forces deliberately damaged the lights to make navigation in Cheseake Bay dangerous for Union forces invading the area. In 1870, large cracks appeared on six sides of the octagonal tower that were considered unsafe. It still stands today and is maintained by the Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities. It is open all year round, except in December, when it is decorated like a giant Christmas tree by the US Army.
Ce Henry lighthouse
The new Ce Henry lighthouse was built in 1881 to replace the old lighthouse. Located just 357 feet from the original, it is the tallest cast iron lighthouse in the United States. The octagonal tower has been operated by the US Coast Guard since 1939. At the beginning of World War II, the tip was used as the battery command station for Battery Walke, which contained two 16-inch howitzers. Although not open to the public, it can be seen from the original lighthouse.
Eastern Shore Assateague Lighthouse
The Assateague Lighthouse is located on Assateague Island in the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. It was first built in 1833 and rebuilt in 1866. The tower is 145 feet tall and continues to warn ships of treacherous shallows that lie in front of the barrier islands.
Supervised by the US Coast Guard
It is operated and maintained by the U.S. Coast Guard and is only open for indoor tours a few times a year. However, visitors can see the exterior from the refuge year-round. The „Legacy of the Lighthouse” tours are offered all summer long, which is considered „a must for lighthouse enthusiasts”.
Cheseake Bay Old Point Comfort Lighthouse
It is located in Fort Monroe, Hampton, the Old Point Comfort Lighthouse. It is operated and maintained by the U.S. Coast Guard and is not open to the public. However, it can be viewed from the street. The keeper lives in an adjoining house that has been owned and maintained by the army since 1973.
Overlooking the entrance to Hampton Roads and commissioned by Thomas Jefferson, it is the second oldest in the bay, built in 1802. It is 54 feet tall and is made of an octagonal sandstone structure. It was used as a watchtower during the war of 1812. During the Civil War it was riddled with bullets by naval guns.
New Point Comfort lighthouse
The New Point Comfort Lighthouse in Virginia was commissioned by Thomas Jefferson in 1804. It stands 63 feet tall and is an octagonal sandstone structure. During the Civil War, Confederate soldiers turned off the lights to make it dangerous for Union forces to navigate the bay. It was fixed after the war.
In 1919 it was partially automated, causing its keeper to lose his job and home. New Point Comfort Island was acquired by the Conservation Agency in 1979 and transferred to Mathews County as a nature reserve in 1982. Today the lighthouse is not officially open to the public, but access by boat is not restricted. Most visitors prefer to look at it from the observation deck in the nature reserve.
Are you visiting Virginia? Check out these posts:
A GUIDE TO THE VIRGINIA BEACH OCEANFRONT
A GUIDE TO THE VIRGINIA BIRDING & WILDLIFE TRAIL
Where to go camping in Virginia
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