Free US Lighthouses
Lighthouses are Being Given Away from Coast to Coast.
If you've ever wanted to own your own waterfront property, complete with a lighthouse, here's your chance. Historic light stations are being donated across America.
The National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act is donating the lighthouses to be transferred at no charge to non-profit organizations, educational agencies, community development programs, state and local governments and federal agencies. The only stipulations are that the receiver must agree to comply with conditions set forth by NHLPA and be financially able to maintain the station and the new owners must make the station available for recreational, educational, cultural or historical purposes for the general public during reasonable times and conditions.
Some of the lighthouses are “fixer-uppers”. Descriptions of each lighthouse are available, most are being donated “as-is” and each lighthouse has unique characteristics and issues. The Bellevue Range Rear Tower in New Castle County, Delaware boasts a circular watch room and lantern surmount on a 104 tower and a 50-foot catwalk that connects the lighthouse to shore. The Cleveland Harbor East Pierhead Light, a 31-foot conical iron lighthouse is up for grabs. For a complete listing of donated and available historic light stations, visit the NHLPA website.
The National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act of 2000, an amendment to the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, provides a means for the giving away of federally-owned historic light stations. These charming light stations have outlived their purpose for the Federal Government but still have a lot of value in their historic and utilization as lighthouses. To be eligible in the NHLP listing, the light stations must be listed in the National Register of Historic Places. To nominate or determine if a lighthouse is eligible, the United States Coast Guard must follow certain guidelines. Some lighthouses that are not qualified for this program will be disposed of through different processes.
Since the fall of 2001, 28 historic light stations were excessed, or determined to be nonessential. So far, the NPS has recommended that twenty be transferred to new owners including other federal agencies, state and local governments, and nonprofit organizations.
The following properties will be available through the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Program for 2007. Further information will be posted as it becomes available.
CONNECTICUT
- ·Penfield Reef
- ·Saybrook Breakwater
DELAWARE
- Bellevue Range Rear Tower
INDIANA
- Michigan City East Pierhead
MAINE
- Whaleback Ledge
MASSACHUSETTS
- Cleveland Ledge
MINNESOTA
- Duluth Harbor South Breakwater Inner
NEW JERSEY
- Brandywine Shoal
NEW YORK
- Execution Rocks
- Old Orchard Shoal
- West Bank Light
OHIO
- Cleveland Harbor East Pierhead
- Conneaut Harbor West Breakwater
Want to know more? Read about a famous lighthouse that recently became a state park.
