Newport News Middle Ground Light facts for kids
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| 1997 photograph of Newport News Middle Ground Light, Virginia (NPS) | |
 Newport News Middle Ground Light
Location in Virginia
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| Location | East of the Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel in Hampton Roads |
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| Coordinates | 36°56′42″N 76°23′30″W / 36.94500°N 76.39167°W |
| Year first constructed | 1891 |
| Year first lit | 1891 |
| Automated | 1954 |
| Foundation | Pneumatic wooden caisson |
| Construction | Cast iron |
| Tower shape | Round "spark plug" |
| Height | 70 feet (21 m) |
| Focal height | 52 feet (16 m) |
| Original lens | Fourth order Fresnel lens |
| Current lens | Vega VRB-25 solar-powered beacon |
| Range | 12 nautical miles (22 km; 14 mi) |
| Characteristic | Flashing Red, 10 seconds |
| Admiralty number | J1475 |
| ARLHS number | USA-549 |
| USCG number | 2-11780 |
The Newport News Middle Ground Light is a historic lighthouse located in Hampton Roads, Virginia. It stands near the Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel on Interstate 664. This lighthouse is special because it's the oldest "caisson" lighthouse in Virginia. A caisson is like a large, watertight box used for building foundations underwater.
Contents
History of the Lighthouse
Why Was This Lighthouse Built?
In the 1880s, ships sailing in Hampton Roads were getting bigger. This meant they needed deeper water to pass safely. However, there was an L-shaped sandbar, called a shoal, right in the middle of busy shipping lanes. This shoal was a danger to ships.
To keep ships safe, the US Lighthouse Board decided a new lighthouse was needed. They planned it in 1887. After making some changes to save money, construction began in 1890. The lighthouse was finished in the spring of 1891. It was the first "sparkplug lighthouse" ever built in Virginia. A sparkplug lighthouse looks like a tall, round tower, similar to a spark plug.
Changes Over Time: Automation and Neglect
The lighthouse became automated in 1954. This means it no longer needed a keeper to operate it. At this time, its light and fog bell were changed. The light started flashing white every six seconds. The fog bell rang once every fifteen seconds.
After automation, the lighthouse was not cared for as well. In 1979, a tugboat accidentally hit the unmanned light. An inspection in 1982 showed serious damage. The first floor was leaking, and windows and doors were broken. This allowed seagulls to get inside.
Some small repairs were made, but bigger changes happened in 1986–87. The lighthouse was switched to solar power. The new light beacon was placed outside the main lantern. More repairs were done the next year to fix the damage. However, inspections in 1992 and 1994 showed the lighthouse was still in decline.
Making the Light More Visible
Later, the Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel was built nearby. The bright lights of the bridge made it hard to see the lighthouse. To solve this, in 2000, the light beacon was moved back inside the lantern. Its color was also changed to red. This made it much easier to spot against the bridge's lights.
A New Purpose: A Family Home
In 2005, this lighthouse was offered to non-profit groups. This was part of the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act. No groups wanted it, so it was put up for auction. The Billingsley and Gonsoulin families bought it for $31,000.
These families have since renovated the lighthouse. Today, they use it as a unique vacation home.
