Three Unique American Lighthouses

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She's a grand old lady among American Lighthouses.

This 103 foot tall tower on what is now the Jersey shore has been helping sailors to find their way into New York harbor for more years than the United States has been a country.  The Sandy Hook Light was placed into service before the signing the Declaration of Independence. The year? 1764.   (For the first few years, it was called the New York lighthouse.)

Even more remarkable than its age is the fact that it still operates as an aid to navigation! Today, it shines a steady beam through a 3rd order Fresnel lens.  That beam can be seen some 19 nautical miles out at sea.

Of some interest is the way funds were raised for the land and the tower.  Was it through taxes?  No, though a cargo levy on ships entering New York Harbor from the south completely funded early operating expenses.  Then how were the initial funds raised?  Through a lottery.  Two, in fact.  One paid for the land, and a second was held to pay for building the structure.  Lotteries, it seems are not such a recent thing in America.

Over years since being lit, the beacon in the octagonal tower has only been dark four times, each one because of war.  She's been attacked, shelled, and occupied.  And she has survived.  

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The story of the Tillamook Rock Light is fearsome yet fascinating. Many ships had wrecked there over the years.  A beacon was sorely needed.

The following video is only seconds long, but will give you a sense of what the lighthouse keepers at Tillamook endured from time to time.  After seeing it, you'll understand why being posted here frightened even the bravest of men.

You'll also understand why the windows, which were shattered more than once, were eventually covered over with concrete, and smaller portholes  installed instead.

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As lighthouses go, this one certainly doesn't have a traditional look at all.  First of all, it's triangular shaped.  And secondly, its daymark ( way is is painted) is a little odd... not so traditional, and hardly beautiful, but certainly easily remembered. Thirdly, it's pretty high tech as lighthouses go. But, it does have at least three other things to recommend it.

First, there's its shape.  The Charleston Light, also sometimes referred to as Sullivan's Island Lighthouse because of its location, has a rather unique shape. It is triangular.

This particular beacon also represents the end of a line.  It was the last manned on shore lighthouse built in the United States. 

It was begun in 1960,  a time when new beacons weren't being built as as often as they once were.  However, there was a reason: The Morris Island Light (at right), which had once been on shore, now stood completely in the water, and could no longer be manned.

An on shore replacement was needed, and the Charleston Light was it.

^{Morris Island Light By Rageousgtx  - PD}

Then, there's one more thing that makes this one unique among American navigational towers.  Well, two, actually. 

It's the only one in the United States that is equipped with air conditioning and an elevator!

The 163 foot high Charleston Light was first illuminated on June 15, 1962, and shines out over the waters for 26 nautical miles.  Though no longer manned - it was automated in 1975 - it still guides ships today.