The Blackistone Lighthouse was built on St.Clement's Island in 1851. The lighthouse and keeper's dwelling are integrated in one structure, with six rooms, a basement, the round light tower rising through the middle and a large, covered front porch looking out on the Potomac River.
The original lighthouse was decommissioned in 1932 and the structure was destroyed by fire in 1956. The reconstructed lighthouse stands near the location of the 1851 structure and was built according to the original architectural plans for the building.
We docked at the island early Saturday morning. When we arrived the lighthouse was locked, but soon volunteers arrived and opened up the building. The rooms of the dwelling are unfurnished and we could walk freely through the building from the cistern in the basement, to the cupola of the lighthouse (there is no lamp) which is reached by circular stairs, and a steep vertical ladder. From the tower, the island and the surrounding Potomac stretched into the distance, lovely in the morning sun.
For more information, take a look at LighthouseFriends and the Blackistone Lighthouse blog.
Cistern, there's a feature you don't see in new homes. Is there a reason for the taller growth not being mowed? Nice shot Edd.
ReplyDeleteThanks Robert. The grounds are actually very well maintained, with swaths of natural growth purposely left which seems very appropriate as opposed to a huge expanse of lawn. This summer has been particularly lush in this area, and the Queen Anne's Lace and other wildflowers are abundant.
ReplyDeleteVery nice image, it looks very inviting there. I tried to get to the Cape Canaveral lighthouse but it is not that easy since it is on an air base.
ReplyDeleteThanks Don. It was indeed a very pleasant spot. I am sure that a lighthouse keeper had many challenges, but what a place to live.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful image, Edd. Sorta makes one want to come for a visit...
ReplyDeleteGlenn--Come on down! We are having a real nice summer here.
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