News

Lighthouse News of the Week – Jan. 10, 2020

Tongue Point Lighthouse; photo by Jeremy D’Entremont

City of Bridgeport, Connecticut, wants custody of Tongue Point Lighthouse on harbor

Tongue Point Lighthouse, a 31-foot cast-iron tower built in 1894 at the entrance to Bridgeport Harbor, is a monument to the city’s maritime history. In July, the lighthouse became available to a suitable new steward under the guidelines of the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act of 2000. The City of Bridgeport has announced they are moving forward with an application for ownership. Another unidentified party is said to be submitting an application as well. The light itself, as an active aid to navigation, will continue to be maintained by the U.S. Coast Guard.

Click here for more (requires membership to read the whole story)

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Climb Florida’s Gasparilla Island Lighthouse on January 26

The newly restored Gasparilla Island Lighthouse on Florida’s Gulf Coast will be open for climbing on January 26, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information and additional climbing dates, visit www.barrierislandparkssociety.org, send an email to infoatbips@gmail.com or call 941-964-0060.

Gasparilla Island Lighthouse. U.S. Lighthouse Society photo.

Nearby, you can visit the Port Boca Grande Lighthouse and museum; the lighthouse there is open for climbing on Fridays.

Click here for more information

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Become a keeper of Tawas Point Lighthouse (MI)

Applications are being accepted for the keeper program at Tawas Point Light Station. This program lasts from May 6 to Oct. 7, allows the applicant a two week stay, and costs $75 per person. Lodging is in the second story quarters of the keepers’ house with a view of Lake Huron. Responsibilities include greeting visitors, giving tours, and performing basic facility management.

You can apply here.

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Officials consider artificial reef to protect West Point Lighthouse in PEI

West Point Lighthouse on Prince Edward Island, Canada, is a popular destination with overnight stays for visitors. The site is threatened by shoreline erosion, and officials are considering the installation of offshore reefs as well as improvements to the existing sea wall. The plan would see a stone headland installed at one end of the beach, and the use of stone along an access road to improve the existing sea wall. Ideally, Island sandstone would be used, depending on cost and availability. The cost of the work will be about $1 million or more.

West Point Lighthouse, PEI; USLHS photo by Bob and Sandra Shanklin.

Click here to read more

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U.S. Lighthouse Society News is produced by the U.S. Lighthouse Society to support lighthouse preservation, history, education and research.

If you have items of interest to the lighthouse community and its supporters, please email them to Jeremy at Jeremy@uslhs.org

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