St. Michaels in Talbot County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Hooper Straight Light's Twin
Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum
After the first lighthouse at Janes Island near Crisfield was destroyed by ice in January 1879, a second screwpile lighthouse identical to the one at Hooper Strait (now located on Museum ground) replaced it. Ice struck the Janes Island Light again in 1893, knocking the bell onto the boat hoister. Then, in 1935, an ice floe carried the lighthouse into Tangier Sound, where it floated for three days before sinking. The caisson style tower erected the following year stands in that location today.
When needed, the fog bell was struck every 15 seconds with a mechanical striker.
Erected by Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Disasters • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Lighthouses series list. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1879.
Location. 38° 47.318′ N, 76° 13.279′ W. Marker is in St. Michaels, Maryland, in Talbot County. It can be reached from the intersection of North Talbot Street and Dodson Avenue, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal
this page online
Regionally, this marker is on the Eastern Shore. It is also in the American Mid-Atlantic, on the Delmarva Peninsula, in the Tidewater, and in the Chesapeake Bay Region. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies and also the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Last Bell Foundry (here, next to this marker); A Light Survivor (here, next to this marker); Heard Through the Fog (a few steps from this marker); Bell Tower at Tolchester Beach Wharf (a few steps from this marker); Katie G., Deadrise Workboat (within shouting distance of this marker); Mitchell House (within shouting distance of this marker); Freedom's Figurehead (within shouting distance of this marker); Mystery Shipwreck (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. Michaels.
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), August 24, 2019
2. Hooper Straight Light's Twin Marker
This is a previous iteration of the marker.
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), August 24, 2019
4. Hooper Straight Light's Twin Marker
This is a photo of the previous iteration in its context.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 5, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 26, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 206 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on October 5, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 2. submitted on August 26, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 3. submitted on October 5, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 4. submitted on August 26, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
