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Point Lookout
Lighthouse has been located on the southern tip of Maryland's western shore,
now the home of Point Lookout State Park, since 1830. At first the
lighthouse served little importance to navigation because the lantern on the
original house was only 24 feet off the ground. The house was enlarged
in
 1883 to a two-story duplex. The light then stood 40 feet off the
ground. The lighthouse was in service for 12 years when the Civil War broke
out. The grounds around this lighthouse saw much action during these
times of war (visit Point
Lookout State Park for more information on this time period).
In 1872 a fog bell tower was built. In 1883 a buoy depot was
installed, but this depot could not hear the fog bell tower, so a new fog
bell was built in 1889. In 1951 the US Navy purchased land near the
light, and the state of Maryland purchased Point Lookout State Park in 1961.
The US Coast Guard gave the US Navy the lighthouse in 1966 when it was then
deactivated. The lighthouse is surrounded by chain link fence today,
and is open to the public only one day a year. In the summer of 2002,
the state of Maryland obtained ownership of the lighthouse and a huge
restoration project is in the works, with plans that include turning the
Point Lookout Lighthouse into a museum for the public to view. Check
back often for details on this project.
Due to the Civil War many prisoners
died and were buried near this Lighthouse. Some people that have
 visited the grounds and entered the Lighthouse
believe it may be haunted by the war's past. For more
information on the haunted ghost stories and the lighthouse itself, visit a
newly discovered website written and maintained by Laura Berg and Robert
Hall. Laura was fortunate enough to live in the lighthouse as a
civilian from 1979 until 1981. Their site includes pictures (some of which may show ghosts) and tons of
information.
Click here to enter into their website.
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