The Fenwick Island Light began protecting mariners on August 1, 1859.
Fenwick Island Lighthouse began protecting mariners on August 1, 1859. The Fenwick shoals that extend more than 5 miles out from the Delaware coast were a hazard to shipping; which prompted the building of this beacon of safety.
Click the image to browse wall art with this photograph.
The only reason this might be considered in the “day-trip” category in this website is that the Fenwick Island Light is located in Delaware. However, it couldn’t be much closer to the Town of Ocean City – the sidewalk in front of the lighthouse is in Maryland. The location of the lighthouse is unique. It was built on the eastern edge of the Mason-Dixon Line – the border between Delaware and Maryland. The stone marker (above) at the “end of the line,” has the south side of the marker inscribed with the coat of arms of the Calvert family and the north side with the coat of arms of the Penn family. The Maryland side is shown in the photo. Remember, the lighthouse, itself, is actually in the State of Delaware and the Town of Fenwick Island.
The two informational plaques pictures below are found on the grounds of the lighthouse.
The Fenwick Island Lighthouse
Erected 1858
In operation from 1859 to 1978
as an official aid to navigation
Transferred to Delaware, 1981
Restored, 1982 – 1983, by The Friends of
the Fenwick Island Lighthouse under the
leadership of W. Paul Pepper, President
With the assistance of:
The State of Delaware
The Fenwick Island Women’s Club
Senator Richard S. Cordrey
Richard B. Carter
Randy Murray
Earl R. Strausbaugh
John Cziraki, Steeplejack
Oliver Cropper, Vice-President
Herla Lobo, Treasurer
Claire Pritchett, Secretary
A.D. 1983
FENWICK ISLAND LIGHTHOUSE (historical plaque)
The Fenwick Island Lighthouse was listed with the National Register of Historic Places by the Department of the Interior in 1979 in recognition of its significance to the rich maritime history of Delaware.
In 1852, responding to pressure to improve the lighthouse service, Congress established a nine member Lighthouse board. The Board was responsible for putting Fenwick Island Lighthouse in service in 1858 with the latest lighthouse technology to warn ships of the dangerous Fenwick Shoals. The Bureau of Lighthouses replaced the Board in 1910 and ran the service until 1931 when it was turned over to the US Coast Guard.
On September 12, 1981, after the Coast Guard decommissioned the Fenwick Island Lighthouse, the ownership was transferred to the State of Delaware. The management of the lighthouse was then immediately turned over to the private non-profit Friends of the Fenwick Island Lighthouse.
THE FRIENDS OF THE FENWICK ISLAND LIGHTHOUSE is open to all and depends on dues and contributions to manage and maintain this significant cultural resource. Your participation is welcome.
Click the image to browse wall art with this photograph.
Link to a niche website: Fenwick Island Lighthouse
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