19 Jul - Three Lighthouse Tour

 

Today we did Lighthouse Tour #1 of probably 2.  All three lighthouses were closed today so no climbing, no gift shops or visitor centers, and no passport stamps.  But we did get pictures, got some exercise, enjoyed the Maryland landscape a bit and racked up 203 driving miles while we traveled this loop for over six hours. Good thing fuel is cheap - Ha!!

Francis Scott Key Bridge over Bear Creek near Baltimore

 Friends-Concord Point Lighthouse

We departed the campground about 1040 hrs and followed the route above, headed around Baltimore to Havre De Grace MD to visit the Friends-Concord Point Lighthouse.  

This lighthouse was built in 1827 and is just 36 ft tall.  A bit unusual, it has 27 granite and 8 metal steps to the lantern.  The same contractor that built this one built thirteen of the earliest lighthouses on the Chesapeake Bay.  Originally it was lit by nine whale oil lamps with tin reflectors and was replaced by a sixth order Fresnel lens in 1891.  John O'Neill was the first lightkeeper and at least one member of each generation of the O'Neil family kept the light lit  until automation took over in 1920. O'Neill was a war hero defending Havre De Grace in the War of 1812 The lighthouse was decommissioned in 1975.  At that time it was the oldest Chesapeake lighthouse in continuous service.

The gift shop is in the keeper's house across the street from the lighthouse.

  

The lighthouse museum is just up the street but it also was not open today.

Turkey Point Lighthouse

Then we drove to North East MD and Elk Neck State Park to visit the Turkey Point Lighthouse.  This lighthouse was put in operation in 1833.  The location was chosen asit sits on the high bluffs at the head of the Chesapeake Bay.  It is only 35 ft tall but the light is at 129 ft above the water.  In 185 a fourth order Fresnel lens was installed.  There are 31 wooden steps to the top, but not open for climbing today, nor is the gift shop.  In 1888 they also installed a fog signal here and mechanism that operated it had to be rewound every three hours..  Because the lighthouse sat on a high bluff, there were 137 wooden steps down to the water and the lightkeeper used a chute with a windlass to hoist supplies up to the lighthouse station.  Another unique feature here at the Turkey Point Lighthouse is that female lightkeepers were responsible for the light for more years than men.  The wife took over as keepers when the men passed away.  The lighthouse was automated in 1947.

To get to the lighthouse we parked in the Elk Neck State Park and walked the one mile trail.  It was a bit hilly and there was a little shade now and then.  We took Liberty in her stroller and the rocky portion of the trail was fun with the stroller's small plastic wheels.  

The trail to the lighthouse.  It was very busy on the trail today even though the lighthouse and giftshop were both closed.  

Fresh raspberries along the way.

Many Zebra Swallowtail butterflies followed us on the trail.

Arrived at the lighthouse, finally!!

The oil house at the base of the lighthouse

Sidewalk leading to the edge of the bluff

Looking back towards the lighthouse from the bluff

The concrete fence posts that surrounded the keepers house.  Was torn down in 1973 after vandalism.

The gift shop closed today.

Bethel Bridge Lighthouse

Last but not least, we drove 47 miles to Chesapeake City to see the Bethel Bridge Lighthouse.  Yeah, well it was very anticlimactic!  Apparently it is the process of being overhauled so there was not much there.  

This "lighthouse" was more so a light beacon used to guide ship traffic in the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal.  This canal was used to shorten travel distance between Philadelphia and Baltimore by 300 miles.   It was promoted by influential business leaders such as Ben Franklin.  Unfortunately construction of the canal was grossly underestimated and in 1806 they had to cease construction.  Eventually they changed the route and scope of the project and the canal was finished connecting the Elk River and the Chesapeake River through Chesapeake City where this light exists.  Today the canal ferries 40% of the cargo traffic in and out of Baltimore.

The metal circular staircase was inside and the wooden structure is being rebuilt.  The door was laying on it's side. 

So quick stop here, a couple pictures and we were on our 41 mile return trip back to the campground.  

Chesapeake Bay Bridge at Annapolis

Tomorrow is "yet to be determined".  We may tour Annapolis Naval Academy, but we have developed a slow leak on one of our rear dually tires so I will see if I can get an appointment to get that fixed.