Although the majority of screwpile cottages were square, a significant number were not. A hexagonal design was common from the beginning and was used for at least 34 lighthouses. It seems the hexagonal lights usually had a fog bell, so presumably the shape was intended to provide additional space for that reason. The last two… Continue reading Bright Ideas #12: Screwpile Cottage Lighthouses, Part 2
For the average person, the word “lighthouse” conjures up images of a tall masonry tower on dry land. However, one of the most widely used lighthouse designs in American history is the opposite of that stereotype in almost every way. What the modest little screwpile cottage lighthouse lacks in stature it made up for in… Continue reading Bright Ideas #11: Screwpile Cottage Lighthouses, Part 1
The Chesapeake Chapter of the U.S. Lighthouse Society has done an amazing job restoring both the exterior and interior of Thomas Point Shoal Light Station, the last intact screwpile lighthouse that remains in its original location in the Chesapeake Bay not far from Annapolis. Visitors can enjoy tours of this landmark structure during the summer… Continue reading Preservation of Thomas Point Shoal Light Station
