Photo: Finns Point Rear Range Light

Photographer: Nate Davidson
Taken: May 9, 2013
Caption: Finns Point Rear Range Light
Additional Description: Built in 1876, at a cost of $1,200, this light (together with the Finn's Point Front Range Light) was operated by the U.S. Lighthouse Establishment from April 2, 1877 until March 22, 1950. It was later taken over by the U.S. Coast Guard. This kerosene-vapor light used a catadioptric lens and produced a 150,000 candle power, fixed, non-flashing, beacon. The tower stands 115 ft. high with a focal point 105 ft. above mean low water.

In 1934, the light was made automatic. Prior to this, the lightkeeper had to climb the 130 steps each night to light the lamp and then climb up again in the morning to extinguish it. The keepers lived in a government house (originally located directly behind you) and received a $500 annual salary. Inspectors came every 3 months, but other visitors were rare. Despite the isolation and loneliness, there were some people who liked the job and actively sought it.

On March 22, 1950, the light was permanently turned off (due to changes in the river channel) and on June 18, 1951 the U.S. Coast Guard declared the lighthouse "excess property." In the late 1950s, the lighthouse was turned over to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as part of the Killcohook Coordination Area. Currently, this property is part of Supawna Meadows NWR. On August 30, 1978, this lighthouse was added to the National Register of Historic Places. During 1983 the U.S.F.W.S. hired contractors to clean, sandblast, repair, and repaint the lighthouse at a cost of $33,199.

The front light, no longer in existance, was located 1 5/8 miles south of the rear light, on the bank of the Delaware River. This light was located on a white wooden tower, having a focal point 30 ft. above mean low water.

Range lights are commonly used on the Delaware River to indicate the shipping channel. Each range consists of a pair of lights, front and rear, which, when viewed from the channel, appear to be lined up. This particular rear-range light had a red "sector", i.e. a section of the lens that was only visible from a certain location on the river, usually as a warning of shoals. In this particular case, the red sector indicated the proper place to turn from this range, or section of the channel, into the "New Castle Range."
Submitted: May 11, 2013, by Nathan Davidson of Salisbury, Maryland.
Database Locator Identification Number: p241799
File Size: 2.802 Megabytes

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