Horseshoe Rear Range, Pennsylvania
Harbour Lights #560
2008-2009 Collectors Society Exclusive

In the 21st century, the lighthouses that once stood tall on the west bank of the Delaware River have long been forgotten. Oil refineries and signs of the Industrial Revolution have since replaced the sentinels of the shores.

Unique in these forgotten lights is the Horseshoe Range West Group. Horseshoe Range West Group was unique due to its third light (two front range lights) that was built to warn mariners to make a slight turn in order to avoid the dangerous river shoals.

The magnificent wood tower of the Rear Range Light was 74’ above the keeper’s dwelling, with a 17’ x 17’ base. The lantern room of this pyramidal tower was completed with a fourth order Fresnel lens, displaying a fixed white light.

The keeper and family were housed in a six-room wood structure painted white with green shutters. An elevated 1600’ walkway from the keeper’s dwelling made it possible for the keeper to service the lower front range light. Once that was completed, the keeper walked another 208’ NE to the upper front range light.

In 1920, the historic tower of the Rear Range Light was torn down and replaced by a steel skeletal tower. In 1931, the upper front range light was eliminated making Horseshoe a standard two-light range.
 

Lower Front Range Light