Olde Towne in Portsmouth, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

U.S. Lightship No. 101 Portsmouth

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, April 9, 2026

1. U.S. Lightship No. 101 Portsmouth Marker

Inscription. U.S. Lightship No. 101
Portsmouth
has been designated a
National Historic Landmark

This vessel possesses national significance
in commemorating the history of the
United States of America

1989

National Park Service
United States Department of the Interior

Erected 1989 by National Park Service.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the National Historic Landmarks series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1916.

Location. 36° 50.217′ N, 76° 17.793′ W. Marker is in Portsmouth, Virginia. It is in Olde Towne. It is on Water Street close to London Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 475 Water Street, Portsmouth VA 23704, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Virginia’s Hampton Roads,

specifically in Coastal Virginia,

and in the Hampton Roads Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Tidewater.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

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North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Coast Guard (within shouting distance of this marker); Lightship Portsmouth (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Lightship Portsmouth (within shouting distance of this marker); Congressional Medal of Honor Recipients (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Lafayette's Tour (about 300 feet away); Shopmates Memorial (about 300 feet away); 4 Pounder Cannon (about 400 feet away); Cornwallis' Embarkation (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Portsmouth.

Also see . . . Historic Landmark Registration. NHL Listing Date: 05/05/1989 VLR Listing Date: 03/19/1997

Lightship No. 101, now known as the Portsmouth Lightship, is one of a small number of preserved historic American lightships.

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, April 9, 2026

2. U.S. Lightship No. 101 Portsmouth Marker

(Submitted on April 28, 2026, by C. Ryan Dodson of Danville, Virginia.)

U.S. Lightship No. 101 Portsmouth image. Click for full size.

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, April 9, 2026

3. U.S. Lightship No. 101 Portsmouth

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, April 9, 2026

4. U.S. Lightship No. 101 Portsmouth

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, April 10, 2026

5. U.S. Lightship No. 101 Portsmouth

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, April 11, 2026

6. U.S. Lightship No. 101 Portsmouth

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, April 9, 2026

7. U.S. Lightship No. 101 Portsmouth Marker

The ship's bell and turbine are displayed alongside the Marker

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, April 9, 2026

8. Ship's Bell

Ship's Turbine image. Click for full size.

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, April 9, 2026

9. Ship's Turbine

Credits. This page was last revised on May 10, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 17, 2026, by C. Ryan Dodson of Danville, Virginia. This page has been viewed 19 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on April 17, 2026, by C. Ryan Dodson of Danville, Virginia. 7, 8, 9. submitted on May 6, 2026, by C. Ryan Dodson of Danville, Virginia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.