Piney Point in St. Mary's County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The Lighthouse Keeper's Quarters
Photographed by Tom Fuchs, July 1, 2008
1. Lighthouse Keeper's Quarters Marker
Most freestanding light houses 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.
The original brick structure measured 30 ft. by 20 ft. and was built as a one-storey dwelling with a central fireplace and a 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 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 Coast Guard light keepers. Now owned by the St. Marys County Government, the structure is a rental home for on-site security.
Captions:
The Piney Point Lighthouse bell tower, light tower and keeper's quarter photo taken in 1912.
Photographs of a Coast Guard family that lived in the Piney Point keeper's quarters in the 1960's.
Erected by Maryland Department of Natural Resources.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Notable Buildings
this page online
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 38° 8.154′ N, 76° 31.748′ W. Marker was in Piney Point, Maryland, in St. Mary's County. It was on Lighthouse Road. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Piney Point MD 20674, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker was in Southern Maryland. It was 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 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: 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); a different marker also named Piney Point Lighthouse (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named The Lighthouse Keeper's Quarters (here, next to this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Piney Point.
Other markers no longer nearby. Natural Highways (was here, next to this marker but has been permanently removed); Piney Point Lighthouse
Photographed by Tom Fuchs, July 1, 2008
2. The Quarters
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker has been replaced with the linked marker.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 5, 2022. It was originally submitted on July 8, 2008, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,311 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 8, 2008, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland.
