Sandy Point Shoal Light facts for kids
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| 1885 photograph of Sandy Point Light (USCG) | |
 Sandy Point Shoal Light
Location in Maryland
Sandy Point Shoal Light
Location in the United States
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| Location | off Sandy Point near the west end of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge |
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| Coordinates | 39°00′58″N 76°23′04″W / 39.016°N 76.3845°W |
| Year first constructed | 1883 |
| Year first lit | 1883 |
| Automated | 1963 |
| Foundation | caisson |
| Construction | brick/wood-frame |
| Tower shape | octagonal mansard roof house |
| Markings / pattern | Red brick with white roof and brown foundation |
| Focal height | 51 feet (16 m) |
| Original lens | fourth-order Fresnel lens |
| Current lens | solar-powered |
| Range | 9 nautical miles (17 km; 10 mi) |
| Characteristic | Flashing white 6 sec |
| Fog signal | none |
| Admiralty number | J2214 |
| ARLHS number | USA-733 |
| USCG number | 2-7990 |
The Sandy Point Shoal Light is a historic lighthouse located in Maryland. It stands on a special underwater foundation called a caisson. This lighthouse was built in 1883. You can find it about 0.6 miles (1 kilometer) away from Sandy Point. It is also just north of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. If you drive across the bridge, you can easily spot it from the westbound side.
Contents
Building the Lighthouse
Why a New Light Was Needed
The Sandy Point Shoal Light was not the first lighthouse in this area. An older brick tower stood on Sandy Point itself. This first lighthouse was built in 1857. However, by 1874, the people in charge of lighthouses felt it was not good enough. The water around Sandy Point was too shallow in many places, making it hard for ships to see the old light. They needed a better, stronger light to guide ships safely.
Construction and Design
It took a few years to get the money needed for a new lighthouse. Finally, in 1882, funds were approved. The new lighthouse was built on a caisson foundation. This is like a large, watertight box sunk into the seabed. The lighthouse itself is made of brick and wood. It has three stories and an octagonal (eight-sided) shape with a special roof called a mansard roof.
How the Light Has Changed
Powering the Light
Over the years, the Sandy Point Shoal Light has used many different ways to shine. It started with simple oil wicks. Later, in 1913, it used incandescent oil vapor, which made a brighter light. In 1929, it switched to electricity. This shows how technology improved over time.
The Light's Signal
The way the light flashed also changed. Sometimes it was a steady light, and other times it flashed. These changes happened as new light sources were installed. Today, the lighthouse uses solar panels to power its light. These panels are on the south side of the roof. The light now flashes white every 6 seconds.
Life of the Lighthouse
Automation and Challenges
In 1963, the lighthouse became automated. This means it no longer needed a keeper living there to operate it. Machines took over the job. Because the lighthouse was easy to see and reach, it sadly became a target for vandalism. In 1979, the original lens, which was a special Fresnel lens, was completely destroyed. Someone smashed it with a baseball bat.
Efforts to Save It
The Coast Guard tried to fix and maintain the lighthouse from 1988 to 1990. However, it continued to get worse. In 2006, the lighthouse was sold to a private owner. Before the sale, there was an attempt to find a non-profit group to take care of it, but it was not successful. The Coast Guard kept maintaining the navigation lights until June 2019. At that point, the light was turned off because the lighthouse structure, which was privately owned, had become too damaged.
A Historic Landmark
Even though the light is no longer active, the Sandy Point Shoal Light is still important. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on December 2, 2002. It is recognized as the Sandy Point Shoal Light Station because of its history and unique design.
Images for kids
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Sandy Point Shoal Light in July 1991
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Sandy Point Shoal Light in 2015 from Sandy Point
Want to Learn More?
- Sandy Point Shoal Light Station, Anne Arundel County at Maryland Historical Trust
