Visiting Lighthouses

As 2009 begins to get underway, we have begun making plans to see which lighthouses we will visit this year. Since 2000, we have visited 81 lighthouses along the Atlantic Coast, Chesapeake Bay and Great Lakes region. Last year, to my dismay, we only visited one lighthouse - Leamington Rear Range Light on Hilton Head Island in South Carolina. In 2007, we did not get to visit any new lighthouses as Lori was pregnant with our son James. So after two years of not visiting but one new lighthouse, we hope that 2009 will be a much better year.

We are currently planning a trip in April of May and hope to see several at that time. We haven't decided exactly where we will head off to, but after six years earning my BA degree in history, we deserve a little relaxation. Right now, we am considering either traveling to the South Carolina / Georgia Coast; Key West, Florida, or eastern Michigan. Eastern Michigan would allow us to visit more lighthouses than the others, but we are also looking to enjoy some warmer weather.

Of the lighthouses we have visited over the last 8 years, here are some of my favorites.

Presque Isle, Erie, Pennsylvania - Not open to the public, but it has an interesting character to it. It also holds a special place in my heart as the place I proposed to my wife Lori in 2001.

Cape Hatteras, Buxton, North Carolina - What list wouldn't be complete without including America's tallest lighthouse. Actually all of the lighthouses along the Outer Banks of North Carolina are really nice. We signed a petition at the Currituck Beach Lighthouse in 2002 to help a non-profit organization get ownership of the lighthouse. They finally succeeded in 2006 after a long court battle with Currituck County.

Chicago Harbor Light, Chicago, Illinois - There is just something about the atmosphere of Navy Pier in Chicago that makes this lighthouse special. It's unique structure is is interesting as well.

Seven Foot Knoll, Baltimore, Maryland - This is the first screwpile lighthouse We visited. Although it has been moved inland, the architecture and design are quite interesting.


Portland Head Light, Cape Elizabeth (Portland), Maine - Like the lighthouses of the Outer Banks in North Carolina, all of Maine's lighthouses are among my favorites. If you count the two towers of the Cape Elizabeth Light, Portland has six lighthouses.

Assateague Island, Chincoteague, Virginia - The red and white stripes of Assateague are unmistakeable. The lighthouse is not open to the public (or wasn't when we were there), but the National Seashore and Wildlife Refugeee are a wonderful place to spend a weekend. If your lucky, you will see the wild horses running along the shore.

I plan to post pictures of the lighthouses we have visited over the last eight years real soon. Hopefully, that will dress up this blog a bit and maybe get a few more followers.