Cape Henlopen Light facts for kids
The Cape Henlopen Light was an important lighthouse that once stood near Lewes, in what is now Cape Henlopen State Park, Delaware, United States. It was built on the north side of a large sand dune called the Great Dune on Cape Henlopen. This lighthouse was special because it was the sixth one ever built in the American colonies!
Contents
The Story of Cape Henlopen Lighthouse
Why Was the Lighthouse Built?
The Cape Henlopen Lighthouse was built on the north side of the Great Dune to make it even taller. A lighthouse was really needed because many ships were crashing in the dark waters around the cape. Sailors from Philadelphia asked for a lighthouse to be built. The land for the lighthouse was given by Thomas and William Penn.
Building and Early Years
The lighthouse was finished in 1767 and its light first shone in 1769. During the American Revolution in 1777, the lighthouse was almost completely destroyed by the British. The keepers worked hard to fix the damage. The light was shining again by 1784.
Fighting Against the Sand
Over time, the sand dune around the tower started to blow away. In 1897, reports said the sand was disappearing at a rate of about 3 to 5 feet (1 to 1.5 meters) each year. To try and save the lighthouse, tons of brush were placed around the tower and its oil house in 1905. This was meant to stop the sand from washing away the foundations and brick walls.
Why the Light Was Turned Off
Even with all the efforts, the tower was eventually stopped from being a lighthouse. In 1924, the special lens was taken out of the light. It was going to be cleaned and put on display. Also, a new lighthouse called the Brandywine Light was built. This meant ships no longer needed to wait behind the breakwaters, so the Cape Henlopen Light was no longer needed.
The Lighthouse Falls
All the ways to protect the tower failed. In April 1926, a big storm caused the sand under the tower to wash away. This made the lighthouse fall into the sea.
Another Light on the Cape
Another light also stood on Cape Henlopen for a while. In 1824, the Cape Henlopen Beacon was built. It was a 45-foot (14-meter) tall tower about a mile north of the Cape Henlopen Lighthouse. The keeper of the main Henlopen Light was also in charge of taking care of this smaller Beacon.
Cape Henlopen Light Today
Replicas and Memories
Even though the original lighthouse is gone, its memory lives on! A copy of the Cape Henlopen Light was built in 1924. In 2004, this replica was moved to the middle of a roundabout on Delaware Route 1A (Rehoboth Avenue) as you enter Rehoboth Beach.
Another copy of the lighthouse was also built. This one is placed on a small hill overlooking the 5 points intersection on Route 1.
Featured in Local Culture
The Cape Henlopen Light is a popular symbol in the area. You can see it in lots of local artwork, books, and media. Many gift shops sell small wooden copies of the lighthouse. It's even used in the logo for the Cape Henlopen School District!
