Located on Smith Island just north of the entrance of the Chesapeake Bay, this lighthouse is not accessible by car. It can be seen from Fisherman Island and a few other spots surrounding the Island. Try to get a quick peek at this sentinel from afar and get up close and personal with your own version from Harbour Lights.

Four different towers have been built at this location through the years. The first beacon was built in 1828. In 1852 the Lighthouse Board stated, “The tower has an elevation of only fifty five feet, placed on a very low coast, giving the light, if in other respects good, a range of not more than twelve nautical miles, which it can seldom reach in consequence of the very inferior illuminating apparatus.” It was deemed inadequate and funds were appropriated for a more significant structure.

Construction began again in 1856. Unfortunately, Confederate raiders destroyed this tower during construction.

The subsequent 150-foot brick tower was completed in 1864. Erosion was severe and in 1889 it was condemned and eventually was destroyed in 1927.

The current tower was built in 1895. An octagonal pyramidal steel superstructure reinforces this 191-foot iron tower. In 1963 the lighthouse was fully automated and the First Order Fresnel Lens was moved to the Mariners Museum in Newport News, Virginia. The Keepers dwelling burned down in 2000, but thankfully this well built tower withstood the fire and incurred no damage.

Today the lighthouse is in good condition and is an active aid to navigation, run by the United States Coast Guard. Our skilled artisans have recreated this generational piece as it currently stands, a sturdy, steel sentinel shining brightly.