Baltimore Hundred on Fenwick Island in Sussex County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The History of the Lighthouse
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, February 9, 2013
1. The History of the Lighthouse Marker
The Fenwick Island Lighthouse was listed in the National Register of Historic Places by the Department of Interior in 1979 in recognition of its significance of the rich maritime history of Delaware.
In 1852, responding to pressure to improve the lighthouse service, Congress established a nine member Lighthouse board. The Board was responsible for putting Fenwick Island Lighthouse in service in 1858 with the latest lighthouse technology to warn ships of the dangerous Fenwick Shoals. The Bureau of Lighthouses replace the Board in 1910 and ran the service until 1931 when it was turned over to the US Coast Guard.
On September 12, 1981, after it was decommissioned by the Coast Guard, the Fenwick Island Lighthouse was acquired by the State of Delaware from the Federal Government through the General Services Administration as Historic Surplus Property. The management of the lighthouse was then immediately turned over to the private non-profit Friends of the Fenwick Island Lighthouse.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Waterways & Vessels. In addition,
this page online
Location. Marker has been permanently removed. It was located near 38° 27.076′ N, 75° 3.297′ W. Marker was on Fenwick Island, Delaware, in Sussex County. It was in Baltimore Hundred. It was on Lighthouse Road, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Fenwick Island DE 19944, United States of America.
We have been informed that this marker is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.
Regionally, this marker was on Delawares Beaches. It was also in the American Mid-Atlantic, on the Delmarva Peninsula, and on the Eastern Seaboard. 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 New Netherland, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this location, measured as the crow flies: Transpeninsular Line (here, next to this marker); Mason and Dixon Line-Survey Start
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, February 9, 2013
2. The History of the Lighthouse Marker among other markers
Another marker is no longer nearby. Fenwick Island Lighthouse (was here, next to this marker but has been permanently removed).
Also see . . . Fenwick Island Light. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on April 25, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, February 9, 2013
3. The Lighthouse
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, February 9, 2013
4. The Keeper's House
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, February 9, 2013
5. The Lighthouse
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, February 9, 2013
6. The Lighthouse and Keepers' Houses
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, February 9, 2013
7. Fenwick Island Lighthouse complex
Photographed by Larry Gertner, April 25, 2021
8. Fenwick Light Station site map
National Register of Historic Places registration form
Click for more information.
Click for more information.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 25, 2026. It was originally submitted on February 16, 2013, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 738 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on February 16, 2013, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 8. submitted on April 25, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
