Baltimore Light Station

The story

Written by AI from this property's National Register nomination and the record above; every sentence is checked against its sources before it appears here. Corrections: privacy@treealive.com

The Baltimore Light Station is a lighthouse near Gibson Island in Anne Arundel County, built in 1908, reportedly in the Second Empire style.

Why it's listed

It was listed under criteria A and C, with local significance in maritime history, transportation and architecture, and under Criteria Consideration G. Its period of significance runs from 1908, when it was built, to 1964, when it became the first and only nuclear-powered lighthouse in the United States.

Physical character

The brick tower stands on a caisson foundation and rises to an octagonal lantern under a metal mansard roof; its cast-iron window frames and lightning spindle remain, and the dormer windows, removed in 1988, were rebuilt to the original plans in 1992. A solar panel now powers the light, after the 1964 nuclear generator was removed.

Historical context

William H. Flaherty and Frederick Martin Lande of Brooklyn, New York built the lighthouse, commissioned October 1, 1908, with a fourth-order lens, after Congress appropriated funds in 1894 and 1904. It operated with keepers from 1908 to 1964 under the U.S. Lighthouse Board and later the U.S. Coast Guard, and its fog signal was discontinued in 1923 when the illuminant changed from oil to acetylene.