August 7 is National Lighthouse Day. This day started in 1789. This is because on August 7, 1789, the U.S. Congress enacted a law that allowed the federal government to control the creation and maintenance of lighthouses. Lighthouses have been important to the nautical world throughout history. Lighthouses used to guide ships through the waters and to land. In recent years, radar and GPS technology have taken over the roles of guiding ships. However, lighthouses still make land visible during storms. Take time on August 7 to learn about lighthouses. Starting with these top five facts about lighthouses is a good way to begin learning.
The Oldest Lighthouse Was Older than Jesus Christ
While it may seem like lighthouses would be technology that would have been invented after electric lights were discovered, this is not the case. A beacon stood at Alexandria, Egypt. It was known as the Pharos of Alexandria. This lighthouse was built by Ptolemy I and Ptolemy II. It was one of the seven ancient wonders of the world (Lighthouse Facts: Sea the Lights).
The U.S.’s Oldest Light Station Had to Have Its Tower Rebuilt
The U.S.’s oldest lighthouse was located on Boston Harbor. It was built in 1716 (Millburg). The first lighthouse keeper for it died when he, his wife, and his daughter drowned in 1718 (Lighthouse Facts: Sea the Lights). The British blew up that tower in 1776 and a replacement tower was built in 1783. It still serves as a beacon of navigation to ships (Millburg).
New England is Home to Many Lighthouses
When people think of lighthouses, they often think of New England. This is because of the New England lighthouses. New England is an area that has a lot of fog. This means that fog warning devices were needed. Because of this, the NewEngland lighthouses were built to guide ships through the fog (Lighthouses: FAQ).
Lady Liberty Really Did Light the Way
The Statue of Liberty no longer functions as a lighthouse. However, she was a beacon of light from 1886 to 1902. It was the first lighthouse to use electricity. The beam was visible for 24 miles out from New York Harbor (Millburg).
The Newest U.S. Lighthouse Is Over 50 Years Old
While lighthouses are still in use a beacons for harbors to guide ships, the newest lighthouse in the United States is over 50 years old (Millburg). It was completed in June 15, 1962 (Charleston). It is also the only lighthouse that has an elevator and air conditioning (Millburg).
Charleston (Sullivan’s Island) Lighthouse, South Carolina at Lighthousefriends.com. (n.d.). Lighthouse Friends. Retrieved August 13, 2012, from http://www.lighthousefriends.com/light.asp?ID=334
Lighthouse Facts. (n.d.). Lighthouse Digest – America’s Lighthouse News & History Magazine. Retrieved August 13, 2012, from http://www.lhdigest.com/facts.cfm
Lighthouse Facts. (n.d.). SEA THE LIGHTS.COM. Retrieved August 13, 2012, from http://www.seathelights.com/other/facts.html
Lighthouses: FAQ – FactMonster.com. (n.d.). Fact Monster: Online Almanac, Dictionary, Encyclopedia, and Homework Help – FactMonster.com. Retrieved August 13, 2012, from http://www.factmonster.com/ipka/A0800631.html
Millburg, S. (n.d.). Lighthouse Fun Facts – Coastal Living. Coastal Living – The best in coastal style, travel, and food. Retrieved August 13, 2012, from http://www.coastalliving.com/travel/top-10/fun-facts-about-lighthouses-00400000000665/
