List of lighthouses in the United States

Boston Light, the oldest light station and second oldest lighthouse structure in the US

Charleston Light, the last manned lighthouse built on shore in the United States

This is a list of lighthouses in the United States. The United States has had approximately a thousand lights as well as light towers, range lights, and pier head lights. Michigan has the most lights of any state with over 150 past and present lights. Lighthouses that are in former U.S. territories are not listed here.

Most of the lights in the United States have been built and maintained by the Coast Guard (since 1939) and its predecessors, the United States Lighthouse Service (1910–1939) and the United States Lighthouse Board (1852–1910). Before the Lighthouse Board was established, local collectors of customs were responsible for lighthouses under Stephen Pleasonton. As their importance to navigation has declined and as public interest in them has increased, the Coast Guard has been handing over ownership and in some cases responsibility for running them to other parties, the chief of them being the National Park Service under the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act of 2000.

• Note: Click on the state of your choice in the tables below to link you to lighthouses in that state.

New England

Boon Island Light in Maine is the tallest in New England.

State	Tallest<ref name="Heights">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> (H)	Shortest<ref name="Heights"/> (H)	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> (currently standing)
Maine	133Boon Island Light Template:Convert	020Pond Island Light Template:Convert	1791Portland Head Light (1791)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Massachusetts	124Cape Ann Light Template:Convert	Disputed{{#if:A|A|[2]}}	1783Boston Light (1783)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
New Hampshire	058Isles of Shoals Light Template:Convert	048Portsmouth Harbor Light Template:Convert	1865Isles of Shoals Light (1859)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Rhode Island	066Sakonnet Light Template:Convert	013Ida Lewis Rock Light Template:Convert	1831Poplar Point Light (1831)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Connecticut	089New London Harbor Light Template:Convert<ref name="NLHL">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	025Mystic Seaport Light Template:Convert	1801New London Harbor Light (1801)<ref name="NLHL"/>
Vermont	040Windmill Point Light Template:Convert	013Whipple Point Light Template:Convert	1846Juniper Island Light (1846)<ref name="Oldest NE"/>

New Hampshire

The state of New Hampshire only has two lighthouses, both of which are located along the Atlantic coastline.<ref>Template:Cite uscghist</ref>

Name	Image	Location	Coordinates	Year first lit	Automated	Year deactivated	Current lens	Focal height
Isles of Shoals Light		Isles of Shoals	Template:Coord	1859	1987	Active	VLB-44 LED unit	Template:Convert
Portsmouth Harbor Light		New Castle	Template:Coord	1878	1960	Active	Fourth order Fresnel	Template:Convert

Vermont

• Note: All entries here show the current tower's status; more details can be found in the lighthouse articles.

Name<ref>Template:Cite uscghist</ref>	Image	Location	Coordinates	Year first lit	Automated	Year deactivated	Current lens	Focal height
Burlington Breakwater North Light		Burlington	Template:Coord	1857 (original) 2003 (current)	2003 (replica)	Active	Template:Unknown	035 Template:Convert
Burlington Breakwater South Light		Burlington	Template:Coord	1857 (original) 2003 (current)	2003 (replica)	Active	Template:Unknown	012 Template:Convert
Colchester Reef Light		Shelburne	Template:Coord	1871	Never	1933	None	035 Template:Convert
Isle La Motte Light		Isle La Motte	Template:Coord	1856 (original) 1881 (current)	Template:Unknown	Template:Unknown	300mm	025 Template:Convert
Juniper Island Light		South Burlington	Template:Coord	1826 (original) 1846 (current)	Never	1954	None	025 Template:Convert
Maxfield Point Light	Template:N/a	Orleans	Template:Unknown	1879	Template:Unknown	Template:Unknown	None	025 Template:Convert
Newport Wharf Light	Template:N/a	Orleans	Template:Unknown	1879	Template:Unknown	Template:Unknown	None	025 Template:Convert
Windmill Point Light		Isle La Motte	Template:Coord	1830 (iriginal) 1858 (current)	Template:Unknown	Active (inactive: 1931–2002)	300 mm	025 Template:Convert
Whipple Point Light	Template:N/a	Orleans	Template:Unknown	1879	Template:Unknown	1906	None	025 Template:Convert

Mid-Atlantic

Sandy Hook Lighthouse is the oldest still standing in the United States.

State	Tallest<ref name="Heights"/> (H)	Shortest<ref name="Heights"/> (H)	Oldest (currently standing)
New York	168Fire Island Lighthouse Template:Convert<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>{{#if:B|B|[3]}}	015Cape Vincent Light Template:Convert	1797Montauk Point Light (1797)<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
New Jersey	171Absecon Light Template:Convert<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>	036Ludlam's Beach Light Template:Convert	1764Sandy Hook Light (1764)<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
Pennsylvania	068Presque Isle Light Template:Convert	030Turtle Rock Light Template:Convert	1857Erie Harbor Light (1857)
Delaware	120Liston Range Rear Light Template:Convert<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	035Cherry Island Light Template:Convert	1858Fenwick Island Light (1858)<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
Maryland	105Craighill Channel L.R.R. Template:Convert<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	015Craighill Channel U.R.F. Template:Convert<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	1825Pooles Island Light (1825)<ref>Template:Cite rowlett</ref>

Midwest

CitationClass=web }}</ref> (Tawas Point Light is shown here.)

State	Tallest<ref name="Heights"/> (H)	Shortest<ref name="Heights"/> (H)	Oldest (currently standing)
Colorado	055Dillon Reservoir Lighthouse Template:Convert	Template:N/a	1873Dillon Reservoir Lighthouse (circa 1963)
Illinois	113Grosse Point Light Template:Convert	035Waukegan Harbor Light Template:Convert	1873Grosse Point Light (1873)
Indiana	055Buffington Breakwater Light Template:Convert	030Gary Breakwater Light Template:Convert	1858Old Michigan City Light (1858)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Michigan	124White Shoal Light Template:Convert	025Cheboygan Crib Light Template:Convert	1825Fort Gratiot Light (1825)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Minnesota	070Duluth South Breakwater I.L. Template:Convert	034Grand Marais Light Template:Convert	1892Two Harbors Light (1892)<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>{{#if:C|C|[4]}}
Nebraska	100Linoma Lighthouse Template:Convert	055Lake Minatare Light Template:Convert	Template:N/a
Ohio	161Northwood Light Template:Convert<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	020Port Clinton Light Template:Convert	1821Marblehead Light (1821)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Wisconsin	111Rawley Point Light Template:Convert	021Baileys Harbor Front RL Template:Convert<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>	1853Baileys Harbor Light (1853){{#if:D|D|[5]}}

Colorado

The state of Colorado has only one lighthouse, the Dillon Reservoir Lighthouse, also known as the Lake Dillon Lighthouse. It is located in the Dillon Reservoir (also referred to as Lake Dillon) in Summit County, Colorado. Although the exact completion date of the 26-foot tall tower is unknown, it was constructed along with the reservoir itself, which was completed in 1963. The lake is at an elevation of 9017 ft (2748 m), making this the highest elevation lighthouse in the U.S.<ref>Colorado's only lighthouse is the highest in the United States</ref><ref>Dillon Reservoir</ref><ref>Lighthouses of the United States: Colorado</ref><ref>Colorado is Home to the Highest Lighthouse in the Country</ref>

Nebraska

The state of Nebraska has at least two faux lighthouses which were first lit in 1939. There is no evidence that either were used for navigational purposes as the state has no large bodies of water that would require the need. Linoma Lighthouse is located on a privately owned recreation area which was developed around an artificial lake, while Lake Minatare Lighthouse was "built to simulate a lighthouse". Also of note is a faux lighthouse called Rock Garden Lighthouse (not listed below), located in Kearney.<ref>Lighthouse and rock garden at Harmon Park</ref><ref>English: Harmon Park</ref>

Name	Image	Location	Coordinates	Year first lit	Automated	Year deactivated	Current lens	Height
Linoma Lighthouse		Gretna	Template:Coord	1939	Always	Active	Decorative	100 Template:Convert
Lake Minatare Lighthouse		Scottsbluff	Template:Coord	1939	Always	Active	Decorative	055 Template:Convert

Pacific (states)

Clover Island Lighthouse (built 2010) in Washington is the first to be built in the United States since 1962.<ref>Kennewick's Clover Island Lighthouse gets its lid Published 2010-01-07</ref>

State	Tallest<ref name="Heights"/> (H)	Shortest<ref name="Heights"/> (H)	Oldest (currently standing)
Alaska	075Cape Decision Light Template:Convert	020Point Sherman Light Template:Convert{{#if:E|E|[6]}}	1906Eldred Rock Light (1906)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Washington	107Grays Harbor Light Template:Convert	020Turn Point Light Template:Convert	1856Cape Disappointment (1856)
Oregon	093Yaquina Head Light Template:Convert<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	025Warrior Rock Light Template:Convert	1870Cape Blanco Light (1870)
California	115Pigeon Point Light Point Arena Light Template:Convert{{#if:F|F|[7]}}	020Lime Point Light Template:Convert	1855Point Pinos Light (1855)
Hawaii	138Moloka'i Light Template:Convert	022Kuki'i Point Light Template:Convert	1909Moloka'i Light (1909){{#if:G|G|[8]}}

South

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State	Tallest<ref name="Heights"/> (H)	Shortest<ref name="Heights"/> (H)	Oldest (currently standing)
Alabama	131Sand Island Light Template:Convert<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	054Middle Bay Light Template:Convert<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	1873Sand Island Light (1873)
Florida	175Ponce de Leon Light Template:Convert	023Cedar Key Light Template:Convert<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	1838Amelia Island Light (1838)
Georgia	145Tybee Island Light Template:Convert<ref name="tybeelighthouse">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	046Cockspur Island Light Template:Convert	1820Sapelo Island Light (1820)
Louisiana	Template:Unknown	Template:Unknown	1852New Canal Light (1839<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>)
Mississippi	061Biloxi Light Template:Convert	030 Tie Template:Convert{{#if:I|I|[9]}}	1848Biloxi Light (1848)
North Carolina	210Cape Hatteras Light Template:Convert	Template:N/a	1817Bald Head Light (1817)
South Carolina	161Morris Island Light Template:Convert	018Haig Point F. R. Light Template:Convert	1827Cape Romain Light (Old) (1827)
Texas	116Point Bolivar Light Template:Convert	Template:N/a	1852Point Isabel Light (1852)
Virginia	191Cape Charles Light Template:Convert	1855Deepwater Shoals Light (1855)	1792Cape Henry Lighthouse (1792)

United States territories

Garapan Light in Saipan, one of only two remaining lighthouses built during Japanese occupation

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}}

Territory	Tallest (H)	Shortest (H)	Oldest<ref name="Oldest NE"/> (currently standing)
Puerto Rico	Punta Higüero Light 69 ft (21 m)	Los Morrillos Light Template:Convert	Port San Juan Light (1846)
American Samoa	Breakers Point LightTemplate:Convert	Aunu'u Light
Guam	Ritidian Point Light Template:Convert	Apra Outer Harbor Range Front Light	Orote Point Light (1929)<ref name="Rowlett Guam">Template:Cite rowlett</ref>
Northern Mariana Islands	Japanese Light (a.k.a. Garapan Light) (Unknown)		Japanese Light (a.k.a. Garapan Light) (1934)
Virgin Islands	Hams Bluff Light Template:Convert	Fort Luise Augusta Light Template:Convert	Fort Luise Augusta Light (1919)

United States Minor Outlying Islands

This table lists lighthouses that are in insular areas of the United States. All of the islands listed below are uninhabited, and have not been formerly incorporated into the country.<ref>Template:Cite rowlett</ref><ref>Template:Cite rowlett</ref><ref>NGA List of Lights – Pub.111 Retrieved November 6, 2016.</ref>

Name	Image	Location	Coordinates	Year first lit	Automated	Year deactivated	Current lens	Height
Baker Island Light		Baker Island	Template:Coord	1935	Never	1942	None	016 Template:Convert
Howland Island Light (aka: Earhart Light)		Howland Island	Template:Coord	1937	Never	1942	None	020 Template:Convert
Jarvis Island Light		Jarvis Island	Template:Coord	1935	Never	1945	None	016 Template:Convert
Navassa Island Light		Navassa Island	Template:Coord	1917	1929	1996	None	161 Template:Convert
Sand Island Aviation Light	Template:N/a	Midway Atoll	Template:Coord	Template:Unknown	Template:Unknown	Active	Template:Unknown	046 Template:Convert
Wake Island Aviation Light	Template:N/a	Wake Island	Template:Coord	Template:Unknown	Template:Unknown	Active	Template:Unknown	052 Template:Convert

See also

• List of lighthouses in the United States by height
• List of lightships of the United States
• Lists of lighthouses
• National Historic Preservation Act of 1966
• National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act
• United States Lighthouse Society
• United States Coast Guard History and Heritage Sites

Further reading

• Crompton, Samuel Willard & Michael J. Rhein, The Ultimate Book of Lighthouses (2002) Template:ISBN; Template:ISBN.
• Hyde, Charles K., and Ann and John Mahan. The Northern Lights: Lighthouses of the Upper Great Lakes. Detroit: Wayne State University Press, 1995. Template:ISBN Template:ISBN.
• Jones, Ray & Bruce Roberts, American Lighthouses (Globe Pequot, September 1, 1998, 1st Ed.) Template:ISBN; Template:ISBN.
• Jones, Ray,The Lighthouse Encyclopedia, The Definitive Reference (Globe Pequot, January 1, 2004, 1st ed.) Template:ISBN; Template:ISBN.
• Noble, Dennis, Lighthouses & Keepers: U. S. Lighthouse Service and Its Legacy Annapolis: U. S. Naval Institute Press, 1997. Template:ISBN; Template:ISBN.
• Oleszewski, Wes, Great Lakes Lighthouses, American and Canadian: A Comprehensive Directory/Guide to Great Lakes Lighthouses, (Gwinn, Michigan: Avery Color Studios, Inc., 1998) Template:ISBN.
• Penrod, John, Lighthouses of Michigan, (Berrien Center, Michigan: Penrod/Hiawatha, 1998) Template:ISBN Template:ISBN.
• Penrose, Laurie and Bill, A Traveler's Guide to 116 Michigan Lighthouses (Petoskey, Michigan: Friede Publications, 1999). Template:ISBN Template:ISBN
• {{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}

• Putnam, George R., Lighthouses and Lightships of the United States, (Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co., 1933).
• Roach, Jerry, Ultimate Guide to Great Lakes Lighthouses, (2003).
• Thurston, Harry, Against Darkness and Storm: Lighthouses of the Northeast (Halifax: Nimbus, 1993).
• United States Coast Guard, Aids to Navigation, (Washington, DC: U. S. Government Printing Office, 1945).
• Template:Cite uscgnavbib
• U.S. Coast Guard, Historically Famous Lighthouses (Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1957).
• {{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}

• Wagner, John L., Michigan Lighthouses: An Aerial Photographic Perspective, (East Lansing, Michigan: John L. Wagner, 1998) Template:ISBN Template:ISBN.
• Weiss, George, The Lighthouse Service, Its History, Activities and Organization (Baltimore: Johns Hopkins Press, 1926).
• Wright, Larry and Wright, Patricia, Great Lakes Lighthouses Encyclopedia Hardback (Erin: Boston Mills Press, 2006) Template:ISBN.

Notes

A.^{{#if:| }} The shortest lighthouse in Massachusetts is either Palmer Island Light at Template:Convert or Brant Point Light at Template:Convert. Sources remain split on this issue, with at least one claiming the latter as the shortest in New England.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

B.^{{#if:| }} The Perry Monument in Ohio and the Statue of Liberty in New York City are not classified as lighthouses. They would come in as the two tallest lighthouses in the United States otherwise.<ref name="Heights"/><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

C.^{{#if:| }} Minnesota Point Light was built in 1858, but only half of the now ruined tower remains.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

D.^{{#if:| }} The oldest light station is Pottawatomie Light which was established in 1836; however, the current buildings date to 1858.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

E.^{{#if:| }} The shortest height is for a skeletal tower which was placed in 1981. For "traditional" lighthouses, Point Retreat Light and Cape Spencer Light are tied at Template:Convert each.

F.^{{#if:| }} These two lighthouses are tied at Template:Convert each.

G.^{{#if:| }} The oldest lighthouse in Hawaii was called "Lahaina Lighthouse", which was built in 1905 before it was replaced.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref> Moloka'i Light is the oldest currently standing lighthouse; it was first lit a month before the still standing Makapuu Point Light.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

H.^{{#if:| }} Pass A L'Outre Light was originally constructed in 1852 elsewhere and moved to its present location.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite rowlett</ref>

I.^{{#if:| }} Cat Island Light (first tower), Pass Christian Light, and Ship Island Light were all 30 feet tall.

External links

General

• Lighthouses in the National Park System
• Template:Cite uscgll
• Lighthouse Friends
• Template:Cite rowlett a comprehensive international listing maintained by Russ Rowlett
• Inventory of Historic Light Stations Template:Webarchive from the National Park Service
• Interactive map of lighthouses all over the country
• Lighthouses in the National Park System
• Amateur Radio Lighthouse Society (ARLHS) U.S. LIGHTHOUSES BY STATE
• Lighthouses: An Administrative History
• Historical Landmarks - United States Lighthouses

Great Lakes

• Wisconsin Historical Society, antique photographs of Wisconsin lighthouses
• Terry Pepper on lighthouses of the Western Great Lakes
• Bibliography on Michigan and other lighthouses
• A more comprehensive (and interactive with geographic locations) listing of Michigan lighthouses and museums, complete with pictures and descriptions
• Detroit News, interactive map on Michigan lighthouses
• Map of Michigan Lighthouse in PDF format
• Wagner, John L. Beacons Shining in the Night, Michigan Lighthouse Bibliography, Chronology, History, Keepers Lives, and Photographs, Clarke Historical Library, Central, Michigan University