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A lighthouse, a structure erected for the sole purpose of emitting light at a distance to aid in navigation, may be found as a beach tower, building, or other structural type. Lighthouses are primarily used as a signals for air pilots and sea navigators in order to estimate the coordinates of the nearest shoreline. Lighthouses are also used as an indicator for potentially dangerous coastlines that may consists of shoals, reefs, and rocky harbors. Modern lighthouses have declined in use due to excessive expenses for maintaining the structure. Other modern electronic advancements have replaced lighthouses for more navigational precision.
A lighthouse lamp must hang high enough for sea and aerial pilots to see before reaching the danger zone. A coastal lighthouse assists the navigator in estimating the appropriate landfall after crossing the ocean from the original deport dock. Coastal lighthouses consist of a cylindrical shape in order to reduce the effect of wind. Smaller structures reside below a clifftop in order to ensure they can be seen at the surface during nights of heavy fog. Iron and steel structures replaced stone masonry lighthouses as architectural technology advanced. Some lighthouses are constructed within the water itself, which has become known as wave-washed lighthouses. Wave-washed lighthouses can withstand powerful waves during a storm.
Ancient lighthouses, such as the Lighthouse of Alexandria, can be found in various regions around the world. For instance, the Lighthouse of Alexandria, often dubbed one of the Seven Wonders of the World, was built in 280 B.C. in Hellenistic Egypt, while the Pharos were constructed right outside Dover after the Roman conquest to Britain. During the Classic period, lighthouse development accelerated all across Europe and North America. The first lighthouse constructed in the United States can be found in Saint Augustine, Florida. These lighthouse structures varied in their design and composition; however, most of the legendary lighthouses are composed of stone masonry. Modern lighthouses consist of skeletal steel structures, although other navigational technologies, such as the Global Positioning System (GPS) has led to a decrease in lighthouse development.
Dedicated Websites, Articles, and More!
Legendary Lighthouses: The Public Broadcasting System presents a program on the various legendary lighthouses throughout ancient, classic, and modern history.
New England Lighthouse Tours: An education website providing historical information on lighthouse structures found within the New England area.
The Lighthouse Directory: The Lighthouse Directory consists of a comprehensive list of existing lighthouses located through North America. Each corresponding state will have the most popular lighthouse structures listed for better organization.
U.S. Lighthouses: A compilation of lighthouses located within the United States. The website provides historical data, pictures, tour dates, and other related information.
Light House Friends: The personal account of a lighthouse enthusiast who traveled across the United States and recorded each structure's description, snapped photographs, and jotted GPS coordinates for other enthusiasts to located the destinations with precision.
Lighthouse Heritage: A government-sponsored website dedicated to the preservation of ancient lighthouse monuments.
The United States Coast Guard: Lighthouses, Lightships, Tenders & Other Aids to Navigation Subjects: A government-sponsored web page providing information on lighthouses, lightships, tenders, and other navigation subjects within the United States military.
Haunted Lights: A compilation of lore and other haunted tales associated with lighthouses.
Seeing the Light: A website dedicated to presenting a comprehensive list of lighthouses located around the Great Lakes.
Dan's Lighthouse Page: An enthusiast's account of his favorite lighthouse structures he encountered while working in the United States Coast Guard.
Sea the Lights: An enthusiast's presents information about prominent lighthouse structures located through the world, including the United States.
Lighthouse Records – Information from the National Archives on how to search for records relating to lighthouses.
Lighthouses in Maryland – The national register of all of the lighthouses in Maryland, the website offers a virtual tour.
Lighthouse Evolution – An article about lighthouse evolution including pre-federal era, and early federal era lighthouses.
US Light Stations – A list of all of the light stations remaining in the United States, listed by state.
Interesting Facts – A list of interesting facts about lighthouses found around the United States.
The United States Coast Guard: Lighthouses, Lightships, Tenders & Other Aids to Navigation Subjects: A government-sponsored web page providing information on lighthouses, lightships, tenders, and other navigation subjects within the United States military.
The Lighthouse Project: A comprehensive list of lighthouses located throughout the United States.
Lighthouse Societies, Associations, and Programs
Seguin Island – Information on the Seguin Island light station including photos, news, history, and more.
Dutch Island Lighthouse – Information on the Dutch Island Lighthouse Society in Narragansett Bay.
Outer Banks Lighthouse Society: An advocate organization for all ages dedicated to preserving the lighthouse structures located within North Carolina.
The New Jersey Lighthouse Society: The New Jersey Lighthouse Society provides historical and educational information for tourists and natives alike interested in the lighthouse structures located throughout the New Jersey area.
American Lighthouse Foundation: An association dedicated to preserve and save the light stations located throughout North America.
Great Lakes Keep Association: An association dedicated to preserving the historical and structural significance of the lighthouses throughout the Great Lakes area.
Friends of Flying Santa: A Christmas-themed web page providing information on the relevance of legendary lighthouse monuments their association with the holidays.
Michigan Lighthouse Conservancy: An organized membership dedicated to the cause of preserving the historical lighthouses surrounding the greater Michigan area.
World Lighthouse Society: The World Lighthouse Society provides historical and education information about the lighthouse structures located throughout the world.
Lighthouse Society – The website of the Long Island chapter of the United States Lighthouse Society.
World Lighthouses – The World Lighthouse Society, their aim is to promote communication amongst all lighthouse organizations.
The United States Lighthouse Society: A historical and education organization dedicated to teaching the public about legendary lighthouses.
The United States Light House Society: Chesapeake: An organization providing information specifically on the lighthouse structures within the Chesapeake area.
Lighthouse Heritage: A government-sponsored website dedicated to the preservation of ancient lighthouse monuments.
The New Jersey Lighthouse Society: The New Jersey Lighthouse Society provides historical and educational information for tourists and natives alike interested in the lighthouse structures located throughout the New Jersey area.
Legendary Lighthouses for Kids:
Lighthouse FAQ – A set of questions and answers about lighthouses including a list of facts.
New Jersey Lighthouses Handout: A web page dedicated to introducing lighthouses to kids.
Wobbles: The Lighthouse Kitty: Wobbles presents lighthouse information for children's entertainment.
Underwater Archaeology Kids' Corner: Lighthouses: A brief article about lighthouses and their importance for sea and aerial navigators.
The Lighthouse Kids: A personal account by kids residing in White Island Lighthouse, New Hampshire.
Lighthouse Curriculum – A resource for teachers to teach about lighthouses, ideal for grades k-4.
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