Pomham Rocks, Rhode Island
Harbour Lights #378

Pomham Rocks, Rhode Island On July 15, 1870, a congressional appropriation of $20,000 was passed for the building of three beacons on the Providence River - Pomham Rocks, Fuller Rock and Sassafras Point. Some early records show the spelling "Pumham", the name of a Narraganset Indian killed in King Philip's War of 1676. The tower's Sixth Order Fresnel lens was lit for the first time on December 1, 1871. During its long history and despite the fact the lighthouse was built less than one mile from shore, the keeper had few amenities such as electricity, running water and a telephone. In 1939,the Sixth Order lens was upgraded to a Fourth Order Fresnel Lens. This lens was removed in 1974, and is on display in the Custom House Museum, Newburyport, Massachusetts.