LIGHTHOUSE PHOTOS
Click photo to enlarge
Cove Point Light Station - Courtesy Calvert Marine Museum
Cove Point Light and Bell House - James Ward
Cove Point Light Station taken Feb. 1928; photo by W. J. Taylor
Cove Point Light Station - Overhead View - CMM
Cove Point Light and Keeper House possibly mid 1800's
Cove Point Lighthouse 1912
Cove Point Lighthouse circa 1961
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Cove Point, Maryland, USA
Designated Waterway: Chesapeake Bay
The Cove Point Lighthouse in it's original location. The Cove Point Light Station is on the western shore of the Chesapeake Bay, 4 miles north of the entrance to the Patuxent River.
The Cove Point Lighthouse islocated on a beautiful site on the Chesapeake Bay where one can look back at the Calvert Cliffs, see across to the Eastern Shore, and observe the LNG (liquid natural gas) platform to the north. There is a small observation platform that lets one look over the fence for an unobstructed view of these sights, as well as maritime traffic going up and down the bay.
Cove Point Lighthouse was built in 1828 to mark the shoal that extends outwards toward the shipping channel. A total of four acres was purchased at a cost of $300. Today only two acres remain (the other two were given to the liquid natural gas terminal for a safety zone). The light tower and the keeper's house were constructed of locally manufactured brick. The cost of the entire project was $2000.
In 1857 a fourth-order Fresnel lens was installed with a weight driven rotation mechanism. In 1928 the light was converted from kerosene to electricity. At that time, the beacon was visible for twelve nautical miles.
Throughout the years the keeper's house was expanded from a simple dwelling for the keeper and his wife to a two-and-one-half-story duplex to house two keepers and their families. Around 1950, a smaller two-bedroom house was built for a third keeper and his family. An office building was added at the same time to house an emergency generator and radio communication equipment.
March 1986 marked the end of the keeper’s job, as the orders for automation were received. By August 16, 1986, Cove Point Lighthouse was officially automated. The new equipment included an automated lamp-changer in the lantern to change burned out lamps and a computer to monitor operations. The beacon is now controlled from Baltimore.
Ownership of the Cove Point Light Station was officially transferred from the U.S. Coast Guard to the Calvert County Government in September 2000. The Calvert Marine Museum began offering tours of the light station in 2002.
Historical Information:
- The lighthouse was built in 1828. Several years later in 1837 fog bell was also installed.
- In 1855 the light was improved when a fifth order Fresnel lens replaced the original reflector system. It was improved even more when in 1857 a larger fourth order Fresnel lens was installed.
- In 1858 the fog bell apparatus was replaced with a weight driven clock-work type mechanism.
- In 1901 the current bell shed was built to house the engine that powered the second class Daboll trumpet fog horn. There were several changes to the fog signal which was eventually removed sometime in 2005. The back up bell to be used as emergency back up was mounted on a frame to the roof. That bell is still there today.
- In 1912 the characteristic was changed from fixed varied by flashes to an occulting white light every 30 seconds.
- In 1928 the light was converted to electricity (It was kerosene before.) A radio beacon was also installed at the station.
- In 1969 the air-powered horn was replaced with an electric diaphone signal.
- In 1984 the radio beacon was discontinued.
- 1n 1986 the station was automated. An automatic fog detector and an automated lamp changer was installed.
- In 2000 the light station was turned over to Calvert County and is open for visitation thru the Calvert County Marine Museum. This is still an active aid to navigation but the buildings are being maintained by the museum.
| Location Type |
Onshore |
|
Construction Type |
Brick |
| Original Optics |
Reflector System |
| Current Optics |
Fourth-order Fresnel lens |
| Year Built |
1828 |
| Builder: |
John Donahoo |
| Operational: |
Yes |
| Date Deactivited: |
|
| Automated: |
Yes |
|
Markings: |
|
| Shape: |
Conical |
| Height: |
40 feet |
| Focal
Plane Height: |
|
| Range: |
19 miles |
| Sound
Signal Building: |
Yes |
| Sound
Device: |
Originally a fog bell. Currently a diaphone signal. |
| Existing
Keepers Quarters: |
Detached |
| Current
Use: |
|
| Current
Owner/Manager: |
Calvert Marine Museum |
| Open to
the Public: |
Yes |
| Web
Site: |
Cove Point Lighthouse |
National Register Status:
Miscellaneous
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