Cape Henlopen

Type:
Year Established:
1764
Existing:
No
Source:
LL-1908
Cape Henlopen
Download:
File Type:
jpeg (image/jpeg)
Photo Credit:
US Lighthouse Establishment
Photo Courtesy of:
US Lighthouse Society
Collection / Donor:

LOCATION

Location:
Delaware Bay
Latitude:
38° 46.42'
Longitude:
75° 5.03'
City / Town:
LEWES
U.S. State:
Delaware
Country:
United States

OWNER & ACCESS

Open to Public:
No
Light List Data:
  1. Cape Henlopen
Light list data courtesy Gary Riemenschneider

STRUCTURE

Year Discontinued:
1924
Disposition:
Tower Washed Away 1926
Year Tower Established:
1764
Tower Construction Material:
Stone
Tower Foundation:
Stone
Height of light above mean high water, in feet:
164 feet above water
Height, in feet, from base of structure to center of lantern:
82 feet
Tower Shape:
OCTAGONAL
Fog Signal Building?:
No
Keeper's Quarters?:
No
Year Keeper's Quarters:
1862
Keeper's Quarters Construction:
Wood Frame

OPTICS

Active Aid to Navigation?:
No
Original Optic Type:
18 - 21 inch reflectors replaced by a 1st Order Fresnel Lens in 1856
Year Original Lens Installed:
1856
Private Aid:
No
USCG Access to Optics:
No
Comments:

Historical Information:

Cape Henlopen Lighthouse was constructed on the north side of the Great Dune to obtain additional height.

  • 1762: Lottery started to obtain funds for the construction of the Cape Henlopen Lighthouse.
  • 1767: Lighthouse construction completed. 
  • 1769: first lit.
  • 1777: during the American Revolution, the lighthouse was almost completely destroyed by the British.
  • 1784: The damage was repaired and it was relit.
  • 1792: The lighthouse was transferred to the United States.
  • 1863: New Keeper's dwelling built.
  • 1897: The sand dune surrounding the tower was reported to be steadily blowing away at a rate of 3 to 5 feet a year.
  • 1905: several tons of brush were placed about the tower and oil house to prevent the foundations and brick walls from being undermined by the drifting away of the sand.
  • 1924: The tower was discontinued as a lighthouse and the lens was removed from the light for refurbishing and to be placed on display. The light was last shown on September 30, 1924.
  • 1924: An auxiliary wooden tower was built west of the old Cape Henlopen light.
  • 1926: A storm undermined the tower, causing it to fall seaward.
Entered by:
t.wheeler
Entered Date:
Jan 15, 2018