Piney Point in St. Mary's County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The Lighthouse Keeper's Quarters
Photographed by Sean C Bath, November 28, 2021
1. The Lighthouse Keeper's Quarters Marker
Most freestanding lighthouses were accompanied by "keeper's quarters," which housed the light keepers and their families. The Piney Point Lighthouse and keeper's quarters were built in 1836 by John Donahoo of Havre de Grace, Maryland.
The original brick structure measured 30 ft. Χ 20 ft. and was built as a one-story dwelling with a central fireplace and ground level basement. There have been numerous renovations and preservation efforts over the years.
The house served as a residence for light keepers and their families for more than a century. After the site became a U.S. Coast Guard Station in 1939, the house alternately served as a barracks for as many as 20 servicemen or a residence for families stationed with the Coast Guard. The property is now owned by St. Mary's County Government.
Erected by Commissioners of St. Mary's County; St. Mary's County Museum Division; Friends of St. Clement's Island and Piney Point Museums; Destination Southern Maryland; Southern Maryland Heritage Area, Maryland Heritage Area Authority.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Military • Notable Buildings
this page online
Location. 38° 8.154′ N, 76° 31.748′ W. Marker is in Piney Point, Maryland, in St. Mary's County. It is on Lighthouse Road (Maryland Route 498) south of Hotel Cove Lane, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 44720 Lighthouse Rd, Piney Point MD 20674, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Southern Maryland. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, in the Mid-Atlantic, 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: Piney Point Lighthouse (here, next to this marker); Potomac River Military Testing (here, next to this marker); Bay Lights (here, next to this marker); Osprey (here, next to this marker); Map of Lower Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Piney Point Lighthouse (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Piney Point Lighthouse (here, next to this marker); Lighthouses of the Chesapeake (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Piney Point.
Other markers no longer nearby. The Lighthouse Keeper's Quarters (has been replaced with this marker); Natural Highways (was here, next to this marker but has been permanently removed); a different marker also named Piney Point Lighthouse (was here, next to this marker but has been reported to have been replaced with another marker now near it); a different marker also named Piney Point Lighthouse (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker has replaced the linked marker.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 5, 2022. It was originally submitted on October 5, 2022, by Sean C Bath of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 272 times since then and 8 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on May 16, 2022, by Sean C Bath of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. A wide shot of the marker in context. • A photo of the lightkeepers house. • Can you help?
