As I noted yesterday for the Lighthouse of the Week corresponding to two weeks ago (as I type this), there's another Rhode Island lighthouse near the Dutch Island light. This one is the Beavertail Lighthouse (and also Museum), which is on the next island south in Narragansett Bay. It has a bit more history than Dutch Island, and is in better shape, too.
It appears to me that the reason it is called Beavertail Lighthouse is the shape of the end of the island that it is situated on. See if you agree with me with this map view.
The famous Castle Hill lighthouse, which I have visited in person, is just across the water, south of Newport.
As I said, this one has a bit more history. A slightly edited version of what the Lighthouse Directory has is provided below. One thing I find interesting, and undefined, is that this is the fourth oldest light station, but it is certainly (I think) not the fourth oldest lighthouse. I'm not sure of the difference.
"1856 (station established 1749). Active; focal plane 68 ft (21 m); white flash every 6 s, day and night. 45 ft (14 m) square cylindrical granite tower with lantern and double gallery attached to a 2-story stucco-clad brick keeper's house (1856); VRB-25 beacon (2019). The tower is unpainted granite; lantern and watchroom painted black; keeper's house white with red roofs. Fog horn (3 s blast every 30 s) on demand. The assistant keeper's house (1898) houses a museum; the 4th order Fresnel lens used 1907-1991 is on display. ...
This is the nation's fourth oldest light station (after Boston MA, Tybee Island GA, and Brant Point MA). The foundations of the 1749 lighthouse remain visible and were restored in 2013. The Beavertail Lighthouse Museum Association (BLMA) works for preservation of the light station. ...
The fog signal building houses an aquarium operated by the state Department of Environmental Management. In 2006 BLMA announced plans for expansion of the museum into all six structures on the light station when the station becomes available for transfer. ...
Instead, the house was restored and opened as an expansion of the museum in 2013. In 2014 the fog signal building was restored and replica diaphone horns installed. d In February 2020 the loop road in front of the lighthouse was closed permanently due to beach erosion, but visitors can still walk to the lighthouse from the parking areas in the rear. In 2021 the lighthouse finally became available for transfer under NHLPA and in June 2024 it was transferred to the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management as an addition to Beavertail State Park. Located on Beavertail Point on the southern tip of Conanicut Island in Jamestown."
Lighthouse Friends: Beavertail, RI
New England Lighthouses: Beavertail Lighthouse
Pictures and video below.




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