Girish Mahajan (Editor)

Assateague Light

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Year first lit
  
1867

Deactivated
  
N/A

Construction
  
Red Brick

Phone
  
+1 757-336-3696

Automated
  
1933

Foundation
  
Stone & Concrete

Height
  
43 m

Materials
  
Concrete, Stone, Brick

Assateague Light

Location
  
south of Chincoteague, Virginia

Address
  
Assateague Island National Seashore, Chincoteague Island, VA 23336, USA

Hours
  
Closed now Sunday9AM–12PM, 12:30–3PMMondayClosedTuesdayClosedWednesdayClosedThursdayClosedFridayClosedSaturday9AM–12PM, 12:30–3PM

Similar
  
Museum of Chincoteague Island, Delmarva Peninsula, Cape Henry Light, Cape Charles Light, Assateague Island National

Assateague light


Assateague Light is the 142-foot-tall (43 m) lighthouse located on the southern end of Assateague Island off the coast of the Virginia Eastern Shore, United States. The lighthouse is located within the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge and can be accessed by road from Chincoteague Island over the Assateague Channel. It is owned by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and operated by the U.S. Coast Guard and is still used as an active aid in navigation. The keeper's quarters are used as seasonal housing for refuge temporary employees, volunteers, and interns. Constructed in 1867 to replace a shorter lighthouse 45-foot-tall (14 m) built in 1833, the lighthouse is conical in shape and is painted in alternating bands of red and white.

Contents

A $1.5 million renovation was completed in October 2013. This included replacement of the lower gallery deck, removal & replacement of glass, restoration of the widow's walk & painting of the exterior.

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History

Originally, no light existed between Cape Henlopen, Delaware and Cape Charles, Virginia. In 1830 the United States Congress appropriated money for a light in the general vicinity of Chincoteague Island. The following year, the Collector of Customs in Norfolk selected Assateague Island. The original Assateague Lighthouse was built on the southern tip of the island. Since barrier islands like Assateague shift and change, it is no wonder that the island has grown approximately 5 miles since the site was first designated. Over the years, a hook has developed to the south and the cove created by that hook has been gradually filling with sand.

It originally housed a first-order Fresnel lens which has since been replaced with a more powerful electronically powered beacon. The grounds also contain a keeper's house and oil house.

The lighthouse is depicted on the 2003–2004 Federal Duck Stamp, designed by Ron Louque.

The light is open for public tours on weekends during the summer.

References

Assateague Light Wikipedia


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