Reedy Island Range Rear Light

Reedy Island Range Rear Lighthouse is a skeletal tower lighthouse near Taylor's Bridge, Delaware.[3] The tower is an active aid to navigation.[4]

Reedy Island Range Rear Light
Reedy Island Range Rear Light
Delaware
Location1171 Taylors Bridge Road, Taylors Bridge, Delaware
Coordinates39.4066°N 75.5902°W / 39.4066; -75.5902
Year first lit1910
Foundation9 concrete piers
ConstructionCast iron
Tower shapeSkeletal tower
Tower height110 feet (34 m)
Focal height134 feet (41 m)
Original lensFifth order Fresnel lens
Current lensDCB-224
CharacteristicFlashing white with red sector
Admiralty numberJ1299
ARLHS numberUSA-692
USCG number2-2585[1]
Heritageplace listed on the National Register of Historic Places 
Reedy Island Range Rear Light
Nearest cityTaylor's Bridge, Delaware
Area0.8 acres (0.32 ha)
Architectural styleColonial Revival
NRHP reference No.89000288[2]
Added to NRHPMarch 27, 1989

History

This and several other range lights were built as part of a channel dredging project in the early 1900s. The new channel (heading north toward Philadelphia) made a series of turns somewhat south of Reedy Island, which lies close to the Delaware shore off Port Penn.[5] Prior to this the channel leading from the south was marked by the Port Penn Range, the rear light of which would be moved to become the Liston Range Rear Light (the Liston Range replacing the older range). Then a new short segment was added turning north, which was confusingly first named the Reedy Island Range but was renamed the Baker Range when permanent lights were erected. The last segment, past Reedy Island, became the Reedy Island Range.[6][7]

Construction (and the case of the Liston Range, relocation) of permanent lights was delayed, and a collection of temporary lights was used when the channels were first dredged. In the case of the Reedy Island Range the original rear light was a locomotive headlight on a tall pole which was first lit in 1904.[6] The original proposal for a permanent light would have moved the Finns Point Range Light to serve this location instead, but mariners objected to this, and in 1906 the lighthouse board had to request an appropriation for construction of a new tower, which was not funded until 1908.[6] This tower was of conventional skeletal design, originally equipped with a fifth order Fresnel lens, since replaced with an aerobeacon. A keeper's house and other supporting structures had long since stood where the tower was to be erected, having been erected back in 1906 with funds from the original appropriation for the range. A second house and skeleton tower stood at water's edge.

The light was automated at an unknown date and continues in use.

The light station was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1989.[2] The keeper's house was destroyed in a 2002 fire.[6]

References
  1. Lighthouses Directory
  2. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  3. "Historic Light Station Information". United States Coast Guard. Retrieved 2012-12-02.
  4. "The Reedy Island Rear Range Light". Delaware Bay Lighthouse Keepers & Friends Association, Inc. Retrieved 2012-12-02.
  5. Delaware River: Smyrna River to Wilmington (Map). 1:40,000. Department of Commerce. 2012. Chart 12311. Retrieved 2013-12-20.
  6. "Reedy Island Rear Range Light". LighthouseFriends. Retrieved 2013-12-20.
  7. "Liston Rear Range Light". LighthouseFriends. Retrieved 2013-12-20.
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