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A lighthouse is a tower, building, or other type of physical structure designed to emit light from a system of lamps and lenses and to serve as a beacon for navigational aid, for maritime pilots at sea or on inland waterways.
Apr 25, 2024 · lighthouse, structure, usually with a tower, built onshore or on the seabed to serve as an aid to maritime coastal navigation, warning mariners of hazards, establishing their position, and guiding them to their destinations.
They span from coast to coast and often pop up in the unlikeliest of places — including the most northwesterly point of the lower 48 United States, the bustling metropolis of Boston, and even one of the Great Lakes. Enjoy this handy guide featuring 14 of our favorite lighthouses in the U.S. Photo : Marcia Bromley.
- Catie Leary
- The Tourlitis Lighthouse. Constructed upon a rocky, columnlike islet in Andros, Greece, the Tourlitis Lighthouse is the only lighthouse in all of Europe to be built on a rock at sea.
- Thomas Point Shoal Light. Thomas Point Shoal Light in Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay is what’s known as a screw-pile lighthouse, wherein the structure sits on cast-iron beams screwed into the bottom of the sea below.
- Jeddah Light. Jeddah Light—also known as Jeddah Port Control Tower—is a steel and concrete lighthouse located in Saudi Arabia. At a height of 436 feet, it's the tallest lighthouse in operational use worldwide.
- Kõpu Lighthouse. Standing nearly 220 feet above sea level on the island of Hiiumaa in Estonia is the centuries-old Kõpu Lighthouse. Completed in 1531, the limestone and granite structure itself stands at a height of 124 and features a square-shaped tower with four buttresses and a balcony on top.
The United States Lighthouse Society is a nonprofit historical and educational organization dedicated to saving and sharing the rich maritime legacy of American lighthouses and supporting lighthouse preservation throughout the nation. Learn More.
Most lighthouses range in height from 10 m (33 ft) to 63 m (208 ft). Lighthouses are built from wood, stone, brick, reinforced concrete, iron, steel, or aluminum. They are designed to withstand local environmental conditions.
lighthouse, Structure, usually with a tower, built onshore or on the seabed to signal danger or provide aid to seafarers. The first known lighthouse was the Pharos of Alexandria. The modern lighthouse dates only from the early 18th century. The towers were initially made of wood and often washed away in severe storms.
