US Lighthouse Establishment

  • Also Known As: United States Lighthouse Service

  • American

Part of

Includes

AIDS TO NAVIGATION

The Aids to Navigation mission of the US Coast Guard has a history dating back to the building and illumination of the first American lighthouse on Little Brewster Island in Boston Harbor in 1716. At first, because of the indifference of England, local or colonial governments had to shoulder the responsibility of making the waters safe for mariners. Following Independence, the newly created Congress of the United States created the Lighthouse Establishment as an administrative unit of the Federal Government on 7 August 1789. Before being transferred to and consolidated with the US Coast Guard on 1 July 1939, it was known as the Lighthouse Board from 1852 to 1910 and afterwards as the Bureau of Lighthouses or the Lighthouse Service. - AsNotedIn


Timeline

Y/M/D Description Association Composition Place Locale Food Event
Y/M/D Description Association Composition Place Locale Food Event
Architect Lightship No 114 New Bedford
Architect Thomas Point Shoals Light Station Annapolis, MD
Architect Point Bolivar Lighthouse Port Bolivar
Architect Grand Island North Light Station Munising
Architect Sand Lighthouse Escanaba
Architect USCGC FIR Seattle
Architect Horton Point Lighthouse Southold
Architect Cresent City Lighthouse Crescent City
Architect LIGHTSHIP No 101, PORTSMOUTH Portsmouth
Architect AMBROSE (lightship) New York City
Architect AMBROSE (lightship) South Street Seaport
Architect Anclote Key Lighthouse Anclote Key Island
Architect Point Retreat Light Station Juneau
Architect Five Finger Light Station Petersburg
Architect Martin Reef Light Station Clark Township
Architect Fourteen Foot Shoal Light Station Cheboygan
Architect Menominee Pierhead Light Station Menominee
Architect Lansing Shoals Light Station Newton Township
Architect Manistique East Breakwater Light Manistique
Architect North Manitou Shoal Light Station Leland Township
Architect Poverty Island Light Station Fairbanks Township
Architect Poe Reef Light Station Benton Township
Architect Alpena Light Alpena
Architect Buffalo Harbor South Entrance Light Lackawanna
Architect Cape Decision Light Station Kuiu Island
Architect Mary Island Light Station Ketchikan
Architect Brandywine Shoal Light Station Cape May Point
1789/08/06 The United States Congress drafts an agreement for a "Federal System of Lighthouses, Beacons, Buoys, and Public Piers." Established 1st United States Congress
1790/00/00 Jonathan Bryant redesigns Portland Head Light tower to be 72 feet in height. Under funded, construction ceases until Congress provides an additional $1,500 in 1790. Owner Portland Headlight Cape Elizabeth
1820/00/00 Fifth Auditor of the Treasury, Stephen Pleasonton, is placed in charge of the Lighthouse Establishment. He delegates broad authority to local officers who submit detail annual reports. History
1845/04/00 Contracted for $15,000, construction begins on the Point Loma Lighthouse. At a height of 462 feet, Point Lomas light will become the nation's highest. US Agency Old Point Loma Lighthouse San Diego, CA
1845/04/00 Contracted for $15,000, construction begins on the Point Loma Lighthouse. At a height of 462 feet, Point Lomas light will become the nation's highest. US Agency Old Point Loma Lighthouse Cabrillo National Monument
1847/00/00 The US Congress transfers supervision of the construction of six new light stations from Treasury auditor Stephen Pleasonton to the United States Army's, the Corps of Engineers. History
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