List of tallest lighthouses in the United States explained
The height of existing lighthouses is expressed in two measures: the height of the tower itself, and the distance from the focal plane (that is, the center) of the light source to the water. The latter can be much greater than the former if the light stands on a promontory.
Several structures which have functioned as lighthouses exceed the height of any entry in this list, among them the Statue of Liberty at and Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial at 352feet. These are not listed because they were not constructed as lighthouses per se.
Tallest Lighthouses
Highest focal plane
- 462 feet (141 m) - Old Point Loma lighthouse, California[84]
- 422 feet (129 m) - Cape Mendocino Light, California[95]
- 420 feet (128 m) - Makapuu Point Light, Hawaii[135]
- 395 feet (120 m) - Navassa Island Light, Navassa Island
- 358 feet (109 m) - Farallon Island Light, California[96]
- 294 feet (90 m) - Point Reyes Light, California[112]
- 278 feet (76 m) - Marcus Hook Range Rear Light, Delaware
- 277 feet (84 m) - Anacapa Island Light, California[105]
- 273 feet (83 m) - Point Sur Light, California[79]
- 258 feet (79 m) - Block Island Southeast Light, Rhode Island (since its move to higher ground)
- 235 feet (71 m) - Cape Hinchinbrook Light, Alaska[47]
- 214 feet (65 m) - Alcatraz Island Light, California[29]
- 213 feet (65 m) - Molokaʻi Light, Hawaii
- 196 feet (60 m) - Trinidad Head Light, California[130]
- 192 feet (59 m) - Cape Hatteras Light, North Carolina 191 feet (58 m) - Pensacola Lighthouse, Florida[136]
- 185 feet (56 m) - Point Vicente Light, California[45]
- 183 feet (56 m) - Highland (Cape Cod) Light, Massachusetts
- 180 feet (55 m) - Cape Charles Light, Cape Charles, Virginia
- 180 feet (55 m) - Fire Island Light, New York
- 180 feet (55 m) - Seguin Light, Maine
- 178 feet (54 m) - Monhegan Island Light, Maine
- 176 feet (54 m) - Table Bluff Light, California[113]
- 170 feet (52 m) - Cape Sarichef Light, Alaska[116]
- 169 feet (51 m) - Oak Island Light, North Carolina
- 168 feet (51 m) - Montauk Point Light, New York
- 166 feet (51 m) - Cape Ann Light, Massachusetts[13]
- 165 feet (50 m) - Barnegat Light, New Jersey
- 163 feet (50 m) - Charleston Light, South Carolina[10]
- 161 feet (49 m) - St. Augustine Light, Florida
- 159 feet (48 m) - Ponce de Leon Inlet Light, Florida[3]
- 155 feet (47 m) - Point Arena Light, California[17]
- 154 feet (43 m) - Assateague Light, Virginia
- 151 feet (46 m) - Dry Tortugas Light, Florida
- 148 feet (45 m) - Pigeon Point Light, California[18]
- 146 feet (45 m) - Jupiter Inlet Light, Florida[22]
- 144 feet (44 m) - St. George Reef Light, California[26]
- 142 feet (43 m) - Piedras Blancas Light, California[36]
- 140 feet (43 m) - Point Bonita Light, California[119]
- 137 feet (42 m) - Boon Island Light, Maine[11]
- 137 feet (42 m) - Cape Canaveral, Florida
- 134 feet (41 m) - Dice Head Light, Maine
- 130 feet (40 m) - Rock of Ages Light, Michigan
- 125 feet (38 m) - White Shoal Light, Michigan
- 125 feet (38 m) - Mobile Point Light, Alabama[15]
- 123 feet (38 m) - Petit Manan Light, Maine
- 120 feet (37 m) - Sand Key Light, Florida
- 119 feet (36 m) - Grosse Point Light, Illinois
- 116 feet (35 m) - San Luis Obispo Light, California[100]
- 111 feet (34 m) - Wind Point Light, Wisconsin
- 110 feet (34 m) - Fort Point Light, California[128]
- 110 feet (30 m) - Bald Head Light, North Carolina
- 113 feet (34 m) - Rawley Point Light, Wisconsin
- 106 feet (32 m) - Eagle Island Light, Maine
- 105 feet (35 m) - Cape Spencer Light, Alaska[132]
- 105 feet (32 m) - Baker Island Light, Maine
- 102 feet (31 m) - Sanibel Island Light, Florida
- 101 feet (31 m) - St. Croix River Light, Maine
- 101 feet (22 m) - Portland Head Light, Maine[30]
- 100 feet (30 m) - Point Fermin Light, California[123]
- 100 feet (30 m) - Owls Head Light, Maine[124]
- 100 feet (30 m) - Key West Light, Florida
- 96 feet (29 m) - Cape Decision Light, Alaska[34]
- 95 feet (29 m) - Yerba Buena Island, California[129]
- 92 feet (28 m) - Heron Neck Light, Maine
- 91 feet (28 m) - Libby Island Light, Maine
- 91 feet (28 m) - Eldred Rock Light, Alaska[68]
- 90 feet (27 m) - Old Cape Henry Light, Virginia
- 89 feet (27 m) - Point Pinos Light, California[94]
- 88 feet (27 m) - Point Loma Light (new), California[40]
- 86 feet (26 m) - Tree Point Light, Alaska[48]
- 86 feet (26 m) - Sentinel Island Light, Alaska[76]
- 85 feet (26 m) - Cape St. Elias Light, Alaska[69]
- 84 feet (26 m) - Point Cabrillo Light, California[82]
- 81 feet (25 m) - Five Finger Islands Light, Alaska[43]
- 77 feet (23 m) - Battery Island Light, California[88]
- 76 feet (23 m) - Mary Island Light, Alaska[57]
- 75 feet (23 m) - Whitehead Light, Maine
- 75 feet (23 m) - Punta Gorda Light, California[127]
- 75 feet (23 m) - Mount Desert Light, Maine
- 75 feet (23 m) - Cedar Key Light, Florida[133]
- 75 feet (23 m) - Burnt Coat Harbor Light, Maine
- 73 feet (22 m) - Los Angeles Harbor Light, California[42]
- 72 feet (22 m) - Moose Peak Light, Maine
- 70 feet (21 m) - Point Montara Light, California[122]
- 67 feet (20 m) - Great Duck Island Light, Maine
- 67 feet (20 m) - Race Point Light, Massachusetts
- 65 feet (20 m) - Two Bush Island Light, Maine
- 64 feet (20 m) - Egg Rock Light, Maine
- 63 feet (19 m) - Point Retreat Light, Alaska[131]
- 61 feet (19 m) - East Brother Island Light, California[81]
- 59 feet (18 m) - The Cuckolds Light, Maine
- 57 feet (17 m) - Franklin Island Light, Maine
- 56 feet (17 m) - Little River Light, Maine
- 56 feet (17 m) - Carquinez Strait Light, California[137]
- 54 feet (16 m) - Saddleback Ledge Light, Maine
- 54 feet (16 m) - Mobile Middle Bay Light, Alabama[71]
- 53 feet (16 m) - Lubec Channel Light, Maine
- 52 feet (16 m) - Southampton Shoal Light, California[138]
- 52 feet (16 m) - Pond Island Light, Maine
- 52 feet (16 m) - Point Hueneme Light, California[80]
- 52 feet (16 m) - Deer Island Thorofare Light, Maine
- 52 feet (16 m) - Curtis Island Light, Maine
- 45 feet (14 m) - Wood End Light, Massachusetts
- 43 feet (13 m) - Hendricks Head Light, Maine
- 42 feet (13 m) - Prospect Harbor Point Light, Maine
- 41 feet (13 m) - Perkins Island Light, Maine
- 39 feet (12 m) - Grindel Point Light, Maine
- 39 feet (12 m) - Browns Head Light, Maine
- 37 feet (11 m) - Crabtree Ledge Light, Maine
- 36 feet (11 m) - Long Point Light, Massachusetts
- 36 feet (11 m) - Ram Island Light, Maine
- 33 feet (10 m) - Lime Point Light, California[134]
- 33 feet (10 m) - Doubling Point Rear Range Light, Maine
- 33 feet (10 m) - Bear Island Light, Maine
- 25 feet (8 m) - Squirrel Point Light, Maine
- 25 feet (8 m) - Blue Hill Bay Light, Maine
- 23 feet (7 m) - Guard Island Light, Alaska[125]
- 23 feet (7 m) - Doubling Point Light, Maine
External links
Notes and References
- Web site: Inventory of Historic Lighthouses - Cape Hatteras . 2008-02-18 . .
- Web site: Inventory of Historic Lighthouses - Cape Charles . 2008-04-14 . .
- Web site: Inventory of Historic Lighthouses - Ponce de Leon . 2008-02-18 . .
- Web site: Absecon Lighthouse Historic Data.
- Web site: Barnegat Lighthouse Historic Data.
- http://canaverallight.org/photo-gallery/cape-tour-2009/img_0338 "Img_0338 (Cape Canaveral Lighthouse Florida heritage marker)"
- Web site: Inventory of Historic Light Stations: Pensacola Light. National Park Service. 2008-10-17. 2007-06-09. https://web.archive.org/web/20070609191604/http://www.cr.nps.gov/maritime/light/pensa.htm. dead.
- Web site: Hillsboro Inlet Light . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080618050421/http://www.hillsborolighthouse.org/facts.html . 2008-06-18 .
- Web site: Inventory of Historic Lighthouses - Assateague . 2012-03-07 . .
- Web site: Inventory of Historic Lighthouses - Charleston Light (New) . 2009-10-07 . .
- Web site: Inventory of Historic Lighthouses - Boon Island . 2008-02-25 . .
- Web site: Inventory of Historic Lighthouses - Sand Island . 2008-02-18 . .
- Web site: Inventory of Historic Lighthouses - Massachusetts - Cape Ann Light (Twin Lights) . 2009-10-12 . .
- Web site: Seeing The Light - Lighthouse Tower Heights . 2008-10-28 . Terry Pepper . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20000918211817/http://www.terrypepper.com/lights/lists/towers.htm . 2000-09-18 .
- Web site: Inventory of Historic Lighthouses - Mobile Point . 2008-02-18 . .
- Web site: New England Lighthouses: A Virtual Guide . 2011-09-25 . Jeremy D'Entremont.
- Web site: Inventory of Historic Lighthouses - Point Arena . 2008-02-18 . .
- Web site: Inventory of Historic Lighthouses - Pigeon Point . 2008-02-18 . .
- Web site: Inventory of Historic Lighthouses--Michigan-- Big Sable Point (Grande Point au Sable) Light . 2008-10-22 . National Park Service .
- Web site: Inventory of Historic Lighthouses--Michigan-- Stannard Rock Light . 2008-10-22 . National Park Service .
- Web site: Inventory of Historic Lighthouses--Michigan-- Presque Island Light . 2008-10-22 . National Park Service .
- Web site: Inventory of Historic Lighthouses - Jupiter Inlet Light . 2008-02-27 . .
- Web site: Inventory of Historic Lighthouses--Michigan-- Little Point Sable Light . 2008-10-22 . National Park Service .
- Web site: Inventory of Historic Lighthouses--Michigan-- Spectacle Reef Light . 2008-10-22 . National Park Service .
- Web site: Inventory of Historic Lighthouses--Michigan-- Sand Hills Light . 2008-10-22 . National Park Service .
- Web site: Inventory of Historic Lighthouses - St. George Reef . 2008-02-18 . .
- Web site: Inventory of Historic Lighthouses--Michigan-- Point Aux Barques Light . 2008-10-22 . National Park Service .
- Web site: Inventory of Historic Lighthouses--Michigan-- Au Sable Light . 2008-10-22 . National Park Service .
- Web site: Inventory of Historic Lighthouses - Alcatraz Island . 2008-02-18 . .
- Web site: Inventory of Historic Lighthouses - Maine Lighthouses . 2008-02-18 . .
- Web site: Inventory of Historic Lighthouses--Michigan-- Manitou Island Light . 2008-10-22 . National Park Service .
- Web site: Inventory of Historic Lighthouses--Michigan-- Seul Choix Pointe Light . 2008-10-22 . National Park Service .
- Web site: Inventory of Historic Lighthouses--Michigan-- Waugoshance Light . 2008-10-22 . National Park Service .
- Web site: Inventory of Historic Lighthouses - Cape Decision . 2008-02-18 . .
- Web site: Inventory of Historic Lighthouses--Michigan-- St. Martin Island Light . 2008-10-22 . National Park Service .
- Web site: Inventory of Historic Lighthouses - Piedras Blancas . 2008-02-18 . .
- Web site: Inventory of Historic Lighthouses--Michigan-- Sturgeon Point Light . 2008-10-22 . National Park Service .
- Web site: Inventory of Historic Lighthouses--Michigan-- St. Helena Island Light . 2008-10-22 . National Park Service .
- Web site: Inventory of Historic Lighthouses--Michigan-- Poverty Island Light . 2008-10-22 . National Park Service .
- Web site: Inventory of Historic Lighthouses - Point Loma (new) . 2008-02-18 . .
- Web site: Inventory of Historic Lighthouses--Michigan-- Minneapolis Shoal Light . 2008-10-22 . National Park Service .
- Web site: Inventory of Historic Lighthouses - Five Finger Islands . 2008-02-18 . .
- Web site: Inventory of Historic Lighthouses - Five Finger Islands . 2008-02-18 . .
- Web site: Inventory of Historic Lighthouses--Michigan-- Tawas Point (Ottawa Point) Light . 2008-10-22 . National Park Service .
- Web site: Inventory of Historic Lighthouses - Cape Hinchinbrook . 2008-02-18 . .
- Web site: Inventory of Historic Lighthouses--Michigan-- Frankfort North Breakwater Light . 2008-10-22 . National Park Service .
- Web site: Inventory of Historic Lighthouses - Cape Hinchinbrook . 2008-02-18 . .
- Web site: Inventory of Historic Lighthouses - Tree Point . 2008-02-18 . .
- Web site: Inventory of Historic Lighthouses - Cape Cod (Highland) Light . 2008-02-18 . .
- Web site: Inventory of Historic Lighthouses--Michigan-- Point Iroquois Light . 2008-10-22 . National Park Service .
- Web site: Cape Disappointment State Park . 2008-10-17 . . https://web.archive.org/web/20110609100751/http://www.parks.wa.gov/parks/?selectedpark=Cape%20Disappointment&pageno=1 . 2011-06-09 . dead .
- Web site: Inventory of Historic Lighthouses--Michigan-- Big Bay Point . 2008-10-22 . National Park Service .
- Web site: Inventory of Historic Lighthouses--Michigan-- North Manitou Shoal Light . 2008-10-22 . National Park Service .
- Web site: Inventory of Historic Lighthouses--Michigan-- DeTour Reef Light . 2008-10-22 . National Park Service .
- Web site: Inventory of Historic Lighthouses--Michigan-- Grand Island Harbor Range Rear Light . 2008-10-22 . National Park Service .
- Web site: Inventory of Historic Lighthouses--Michigan-- Copper Harbor Light . 2008-10-22 . National Park Service .
- Web site: Inventory of Historic Lighthouses - Mary Island . 2008-02-18 . .
- Web site: Inventory of Historic Lighthouses--Michigan-- Isle Royale Light . 2008-10-22 . National Park Service .
- Web site: Dunkirk Lighthouse Website . 2023-09-12 . Dunkirk Lighthouse and Verterans Park Museum.
- Web site: Inventory of Historic Lighthouses--Michigan-- Port Austin Reef Light . 2008-10-22 . National Park Service .
- Web site: Inventory of Historic Lighthouses--Michigan-- Poe Reef Light . 2008-10-22 . National Park Service .
- Web site: Inventory of Historic Lighthouses -- Oregon-- Cape Blanco Light . 2010-11-06 . National Park Service .
- Web site: Inventory of Historic Lighthouses--Michigan-- Port Sanilac Light . 2008-10-22 . National Park Service .
- Web site: Inventory of Historic Lighthouses--Michigan-- Munising Range Lights . 2008-10-22 . National Park Service .
- Web site: Inventory of Historic Lighthouses--Michigan-- Skillagalee (Ile Aux Galets) Light . 2008-10-22 . National Park Service .
- Web site: Inventory of Historic Lighthouses--Michigan-- Crisp Point Light . 2008-10-22 . National Park Service .
- Web site: Inventory of Historic Lighthouses--Michigan-- St. Joseph North Pierhead Lights . 2008-10-22 . National Park Service .
- Web site: Inventory of Historic Lighthouses - Eldred . 2008-02-18 . .
- Web site: Inventory of Historic Lighthouses - Cape St. Elias . 2008-02-18 . .
- Web site: Split Rock Lighthouse - Light Stations facts . 2008-11-13 . .
- Web site: Inventory of Historic Lighthouses - Mobile Middle Bay . 2008-02-18 . .
- Web site: Inventory of Historic Lighthouses--Michigan-- Muskegon South Breakwater Light . 2008-10-22 . National Park Service .
- Web site: Inventory of Historic Lighthouses - Sentinel Island . 2008-02-18 . .
- Web site: Inventory of Historic Lighthouses--Michigan-- Martin Reef Light . 2008-10-22 . National Park Service .
- Web site: Inventory of Historic Lighthouses--Michigan-- Forty Mile Light . 2008-10-22 . National Park Service .
- Web site: Inventory of Historic Lighthouses - Sentinel Island . 2008-02-18 . .
- Web site: Inventory of Historic Lighthouses--Michigan-- Grand Haven South Pierhead Lights . 2008-10-22 . National Park Service .
- Web site: Inventory of Historic Lighthouses--Michigan-- Detroit River (Bar Point Shoal) Light . 2008-10-22 . National Park Service .
- Web site: Inventory of Historic Lighthouses - Point Sur . 2008-02-18 . .
- Web site: Inventory of Historic Lighthouses - Point Hueneme Island . 2008-02-18 . .
- Web site: Inventory of Historic Lighthouses - East Brother Island . 2008-02-18 . .
- Web site: Inventory of Historic Lighthouses - Point Hueneme Island . 2008-02-18 . .
- Web site: Inventory of Historic Lighthouses--Michigan-- Grand Traverse Light . 2008-10-22 . National Park Service .
- Web site: Inventory of Historic Lighthouses - Point Loma (old) . 2008-02-18 . .
- Web site: Inventory of Historic Lighthouses--Michigan-- Gull Rock Light . 2008-10-22 . National Park Service .
- 2008-10-22.
- Web site: Inventory of Historic Lighthouses--Michigan-- Beaver Island (Beaver Head) Light . 2008-10-22 . National Park Service .
- Web site: Inventory of Historic Lighthouses - Battery Island . 2008-02-18 . .
- Web site: Inventory of Historic Lighthouses-- Massachusetts-- Race Point Light . 2012-03-07 . National Park Service .
- Web site: Infentory of Historic Lighthouses --Oregon--Cape Arago Light . 2010-11-06 . National Park Service .
- Web site: Inventory of Historic Lighthouses--Michigan-- Passage Island Light . 2008-10-22 . National Park Service .
- Web site: Inventory of Historic Lighthouses--Michigan-- Mendota (Bete Grise) Light . 2008-10-22 . National Park Service .
- Web site: Inventory of Historic Lighthouses--Michigan-- Eagle Harbor Light . 2008-10-22 . National Park Service .
- Web site: Inventory of Historic Lighthouses - Point Pinos . 2008-02-18 . .
- Web site: Inventory of Historic Lighthouses - Cape Mendocino . 2008-02-18 . .
- Web site: Inventory of Historic Lighthouses - Farallon . 2008-02-18 . .
- Web site: Inventory of Historic Lighthouses--Michigan-- St. James (Beaver Harbor) Light . 2008-10-22 . National Park Service .
- Web site: Cape Neddick (Nubble) Lighthouse . 2014-08-25 . US Lighthouses.
- Web site: Inventory of Historic Lighthouses--Michigan-- Old St. Clair Flats S. Channel Range Lights . 2008-10-22 . National Park Service .
- Web site: Inventory of Historic Lighthouses - San Luis Obispo . 2008-02-18 . .
- Web site: Inventory of Historic Lighthouses--Michigan-- Peninsula Point Light (Site) . 2008-10-22 . National Park Service .
- Web site: Inventory of Historic Lighthouses--Michigan-- Marquette Harbor Light . 2008-10-22 . National Park Service .
- Web site: Inventory of Historic Lighthouses--Michigan-- Granite Island Light . 2008-10-22 . National Park Service .
- Web site: Inventory of Historic Lighthouses--Michigan-- Grand Island North (Old North) Light . 2008-10-22 . National Park Service .
- Web site: Inventory of Historic Lighthouses - Anacapa Island . 2008-02-18 . .
- Web site: Inventory of Historic Lighthouses--Michigan-- Huron Island Light . 2008-10-22 . National Park Service .
- Web site: Inventory of Historic Lighthouses-- Massachusetts-- Wood End Light . 2012-03-07 . National Park Service .
- Web site: Inventory of Historic Lighthouses-- Massachusetts-- Long Point Light . 2012-03-07 . National Park Service .
- Web site: Inventory of Historic Lighthouses--Michigan-- White River Light . 2008-10-22 . National Park Service .
- Web site: Inventory of Historic Lighthouses--Michigan-- Point Betsie Light . 2008-10-22 . National Park Service .
- Web site: Alki Point Light . 2008-10-17 . Maritime Heritage .
- Web site: Inventory of Historic Lighthouses - Point Reyes . 2008-02-18 . .
- Web site: Inventory of Historic Lighthouses - Table Bluff . 2008-02-18 . .
- Web site: Inventory of Historic Lighthouses--Michigan-- South Haven South Pierhead Light . 2008-10-22 . National Park Service .
- Web site: Inventory of Historic Lighthouses--Michigan-- Round Island (St. Mary's River) Light . 2008-10-22 . National Park Service .
- Web site: Inventory of Historic Lighthouses - Cape Sarichef . 2008-02-18 . .
- Web site: Inventory of Historic Lighthouses--Michigan-- Menominee (North Pier) Light . 2008-10-22 . National Park Service .
- Web site: History of Oregon's Shortest Lighthouse And The Legend of The Octopus Tree - Salem-News.Com. www.salem-news.com.
- Web site: Inventory of Historic Lighthouses - Point Bonita . 2008-02-18 . .
- Web site: Inventory of Historic Lighthouses--Michigan-- Holland Harbor (South Pierhead) Light . 2008-10-22 . National Park Service .
- Web site: Inventory of Historic Lighthouses--Michigan-- Keweenaw Waterway Lower Entrance Light . 2008-10-22 . National Park Service .
- Web site: Inventory of Historic Lighthouses - Point Montara . 2008-02-18 . .
- Web site: Inventory of Historic Lighthouses - Point Fermin . 2008-02-18 . .
- Web site: Inventory of Historic Lighthouses - Owls Head . 2008-08-14 . .
- Web site: Inventory of Historic Lighthouses - Guard Island . 2008-02-18 . .
- Web site: Admiralty Head Light . 2008-10-17 . . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20070206032252/http://www.admiraltyhead.wsu.edu/ . 2007-02-06 .
- Web site: Inventory of Historic Lighthouses - Punta Gorda . 2008-02-18 . .
- Web site: Inventory of Historic Lighthouses - Fort Point . 2008-02-18 . .
- Web site: Inventory of Historic Lighthouses - Yerba Island . 2008-02-18 . .
- Web site: Inventory of Historic Lighthouses - Trinidad Head . 2008-02-18 . .
- Web site: Inventory of Historic Lighthouses - Point Retreat . 2008-02-18 . .
- Web site: Inventory of Historic Lighthouses - Cape Spencer . 2008-02-18 . .
- Web site: Inventory of Historic Lighthouses - Cedar Keys . 2008-05-06 . .
- Web site: Inventory of Historic Lighthouses - Lime Point . 2008-02-18 . .
- Web site: Inventory of Historic Lighthouses - Makapu'u . 2008-02-18 . .
- Web site: Pensacola Lighthouse - Pensacola, FL. OrlandoSentinel.com.
- Web site: Inventory of Historic Lighthouses - Carquinez Strait . 2008-02-18 . .
- Web site: Inventory of Historic Lighthouses - Southampton Shoals . 2008-02-18 . .