St. Michaels in Talbot County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Hooper Strait Lighthouse
Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum
This lighthouse was originally located forty miles south of here –in Hopper Strait—where its light marked the location of one of the Chesapeake Bay’s many hidden sand bars. Because the Bay is mostly shallow, sailing a boat from the harbor to harbor without running aground is a tricky business. Lighthouses are essential to safe navigation.
When it was built in 1879, most people and products in the region traveled by water. This was a time of enormous growth in shipping, fishing, and steamboat traffic, making lighthouses like this one vital to the Bay’s economy.
Out in the middle of Hooper Strait—almost five miles away from the nearest landing—the lighthouse was as remote as a desert island. Living in the lighthouse as its keeper was a lonely and difficult job.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Lighthouses series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1879.
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 38° 47.253′ N, 76° 13.159′ W. Marker was in St. Michaels, Maryland, in Talbot County. It was on Mill Street east of Burns Street, on the right
this page online
Regionally, this marker was on the Eastern Shore. It was also in the American Mid-Atlantic, on the Delmarva Peninsula, in the Tidewater, and in the Chesapeake Bay Region. Globally, it was in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found 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 location: 1879 Hooper Strait Lighthouse (here, next to this marker); Iconic Chesapeake Light (here, next to this marker); Hooper Strait Lighthouse Boat (a few steps from this marker); How the Screwpile Lighthouse Got Its Name (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Point Lookout Fog Bell Tower (a few steps from this marker); Dorothy Lee (within shouting distance of this marker); Delaware (within shouting distance of this marker); Tolchester Beach Bandstand (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. Michaels.
Other markers no longer nearby. Point Lookout Fog Bell Tower (was here, next to this marker but has been permanently removed); Miniature Skipjack, Spat (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); Tolchester Bandstand (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed).
More about this marker. The marker has significant weather damage.
Photographed by Don Morfe, November 5, 2011
2. Hooper Strait Lighthouse Marker
Photographed by Don Morfe, November 5, 2011
3. Hooper Strait Lighthouse Marker
Photographed by Don Morfe, November 5, 2011
4. Hooper Strait Lighthouse Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on October 5, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 29, 2012, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 661 times since then and 7 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on August 26, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 29, 2012, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
