Fenwick Island
The lighthouse was erected in 1858 and lit on August 1, 1859 to warn ships passing by of the dangerous Fenwick shoals. It is a 75-foot high brick structure surmounted by a 10-foot high lantern. The watch room and lantern are black and the tower and keepers’ dwelling are white. It was first fueled by whale oil, then kerosene magnified by a third order Fresnel lens imported from France. The lighthouse was listed with the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. In 1981 the Coast Guard decommissioned the light and ownership was transferred to the State of Delaware. It is maintained and operated by the non-profit Friends of Fenwick Island Lighthouse.
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