The Keepers of the Light

HOW IT STARTED

How does someone buy a lighthouse?

The National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act of 2000, allowed the Government to “dispose” of the Nation’s historic lighthouses (those listed on the National Register of Historic Places.) Contrary to how it sounds, the disposal process has given these lighthouses a new lease on life. First, lighthouses are offered to qualified non-profit organizations and local governments. If no suitable takers apply, then the lights are offered at public auction, through the GSA Real Property Disposal Division.

Why would someone buy a lighthouse?

Why not!? It is an opportunity be a part of something truly worthwhile. Lighthouses are no longer being built, and if we do not preserve the ones we have, an important part of our history will be lost. (Plus, it is an amazing place with an amazing view!)

HOW IT'S GOING

The New Keepers of the Light

Baltimore Harbor Light is now owned by the BHL, LLC of Annapolis, MD. The BHL, LLC is a group of private individuals who are committed to the restoration and preservation of Baltimore Harbor Light. As part of our restoration process, we are using the original schematics and drawings of the light as our guide.

It takes a village...

Our current and urgent mission repair is to replace the crumbling main concrete deck. This is the last main incursion of moisture in the structure. Once this is complete we can focus on replacing the interior wood panels, ceilings and floors. 


There are always other projects when you are dealing with a structure over 100 years of age that sits in the middle of the bay. Deteriorating structural beams, shoring up the davits and re-pointing and painting exterior brick walls are just some of our ongoing projects. One of our continuing goals is to open the light to private prearranged tours so we can share the restoration progress (and the million dollar view!) with people who have an appreciation of this historic light.

Support Our Mission

"A MILLION FEET OF LUMBER"

The daunting task of building the original caisson/work chamber.

The erecting of this large lighthouse was one of the most difficult tasks ever undertaken by lighthouse builders at that time. Besides the strong current of the sea at this site, the winter months exposed it to a rush of ice as it moved down the bay.


The water at the the site was not only 23 feet deep, but also had 55 feet of soft and fluid mud below which increased in firmness as the depth increased. This was underlaid by a layer of course sand four feet thick and finally a layer of fine sand. It was in this fine sand that the engineers had to plant the lighthouse bottom.


In order to reach that depth, which was the greatest ever attempted in lighthouse construction, it was necessary to build a caisson and working chamber within in which men could go down and prepare the foundation. To withhold the immense pressure of the water, the caisson was built using gigantic timbers, the smallest of which were 12 feet long and 12" x 12", while the largest were 48 feet long and 24" x 12". In order to get the largest timbers it was necessary to search the Georgia woods for suitable trees.


In the walls more than 600,000 feet of lumber were used, and the roof held an additional 500,000, making a total of 1,100,000 feet of lumber used in the working chamber alone. The weight of this grand structure was estimated to be 972 tons.

caisson architectural drawings

FAQs

We get a LOT of questions about our lighthouse. Here are answers to some common questions. 

  • Where is the Baltimore Harbor Light?

    The Baltimore Light is an offshore lighthouse found at the coordinates 39° 03' 30" N, 076° 23' 56" W.


    It is 1.8 miles off Gibson Island on the north side of the Magothy River, and about 1.8 miles from Tydings on the Bay on the south side of the river.

  • Who built the lighthouse?

    In 1903 William H. Flaherty of Brooklyn, NY was awarded the construction contract. In 1905 the contractor defaulted and the contract was eventually given to the company United States Fidelity and Guaranty Co. who had funded the project.

  • What year was it built?

    In 1890, The Lighthouse Board requested money for a lighthouse to mark the entrance to the Baltimore Channel at the mouth of the Magothy River. 


    Due to unforseen delays and the need for additional funding, construction didn't begin until 1902.


    Construction halted in 1904 when the caisson filled with water causing it to lean, and then tilted over completely due to a severe storm.


    In 1907 the caisson was finally brought back to it's upright position and construction resumed.


    Construction was completed on September 10th, 1908.

  • What type of construction is it?

    The shape is a 3-story octagonal brick cottage constructed atop a one hundred and three foot tall concrete and stone filled cast-iron caisson. 

  • What is used to light the lighthouse?

    The lighthouse was originally fitted with a 4th order Fresnel lens. In 1923 the lens was changed to acetylene. In 1964 the light was fitted with a SNAP (Systems for Nuclear Auxiliary Power) 7B-60watt Strontium-90 atomic fuel cell.  It was removed a year later and further updated to solar power that is still in use today.

  • How big is the lighthouse?

    The lighthouse is 55 feet in height with 82 feet below sea level; 62 of which is below the bottom of the sea.


    The 24 by 24-foot two-story octagonal brick house sits on a 30-foot diameter caisson foundation that expands into a trumpet shape at the top.

  • How far does the light shine?

    Range: White -7 miles, Red - 5 miles (2.5 sec. fl.)

  • Does the lighthouse have a foghorn?

    In 1909 the lighthouse was fitted with a fog bell. In the spring of 1923 the fog bell was relocated to a nearby buoy, and the light was automated. Today, there is no foghorn and no sound comes from the lighthouse.

  • When was the lighthouse sold?

    In April of 2006 Baltimore Harbor Light is offered at auction, through the GSA Real Property Disposal division.


    In June, the auction for Baltimore Harbor Light closes and being the high bidders we were officially the new owners.

  • Who takes care of the lighthouse?

    The Coast Guard is still responsible for servicing the light and we must grant them access whenever they need to come aboard. The light is quite reliable, so their visits are infrequent.


    The structure, however, is our responsibility. Under the historic covenant, we are required to preserve and restore the National

    Register property according to the Secretary of Interior’s Standards. We are actively working with the Maryland Historical Trust to ensure these standards are met.


  • Can you stay at the lighthouse?

    Baltimore Light has hosted corporate team building events, a wedding, a honeymoon, and numerous parties and we make decisions on rentals on a case by case basis but we have no intention of marketing Baltimore Light on AirBnB, VRBO, etc.

Image of various Fresnel lenses
Image of the atomic fuel cell being loaded onto the lighthouse for powering the light in 1964

Visit the Baltimore Light

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