Discover Delmarva: Fenwick Island Light Station
FENWICK ISLAND, De- The Fenwick Island Light Station has been lighting up the coast for over 160 years. We got to tour the historic grounds and dive into the rich history with Docent Bill Smith. “Well, we got quite a bit to see here; it’s both a geography and a history lesson combined.”
In fact, when you visit, you can see two states within seconds! Yeah, I’m that fast. The history of the geography starts beneath your feet with the border between Maryland and Delaware. Although Smith did say they prefer being on the Delaware side to keep the tax-free shopping in the gift shop and newly restored visitor center! Smith says this building also houses some important stories of the property. “We’ve got a lot of history exhibits. Of the original third-order Fresnel lens. It used to shoot a beam of light 15 miles into the Atlantic Ocean. to warn ships.”
Seeing how something so simple has protected countless lives and ships really stood out to me They also showcase how the keepers lived in the not-so-distant past With plenty of local ties to the keepers of the lighthouse lasting to this day One of the more striking things I noticed was an old map that truly highlighted- why the Fenwick Island Lighthouse was brought to life in the first place “There’s the Fenwick shoals which are out there. Which was causing all the shipwrecks. Shoals are rocky sandbars, and if you’re a wooden ship and you try to take a shortcut to the Delaware Bay, it’s not recommended you cross it because if you hit that shoal, you’re a shipwreck.”
The shoals created a natural barrier for many ships traveling along the Delmarva coastline. The Fenwick Island Lighthouse served as an integral part in keeping no part of the coast in the dark for important ships. However, the lighthouse hasn’t always stayed on since it was first lit on August 1st, 1859. Smith says, ” The only time the lighthouse was not shining was back during World War 2 between 1942 and 45. Because of the German U-Boat menace off the coast.”
They had a brief period from 1978 through 1981, when the lighthouse made its transition from commercial use to historical use. And it has been lit every night since and will continue to shine across Fenwick Island for years to come.
Smith says the state just acquired the original keeper’s house next door, and they look forward to the restoration to fully complete the site. To plan your visit, or if you’re just curious about the history. You can check out their website
