Thomas Point Park near Annapolis Neck in Anne Arundel County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Thomas Point
Part Of The Bay Heritage
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Our Abundant Chesapeake
Photographed by Don Morfe, March 28, 1999
1. Thomas Point Marker
Part of the Bay Heritage
The first white man known to settle the area was English merchant Philip Thomas, who owned many acres along what as then the shore of Anne Arundel Bay. Among the land parcels he was granted between 1658 and 1668 was a 165-acre tract called “Fuller Point.” which later became Thomas Point. Thomas died in 1675 and was buried at the “Old Quaker Burial Ground” in Galesville, several miles from here in southern Anne Arundel County. His children later divided the estate.
Ownership of Thomas Point changed several times from then until 1824, when the U.S. government paid $529 for a 7-acre parcel on which to build a lighthouse. Eventually, private interests bought back what remained of the 7-acres in 1914.
In 1917,
this page online
On the small farm that occupied Thomas Point at the time, the only crop known to have been grown was corn, which was probably raised to attract ducks. A small log cabin, which now serves as the park office and the park ranger’s residence, was the hunting lodge for the duck club. This building still stands at Thomas Point, and the names of some prominent members of the duck club can be found carved into the frame of the cabin’s 8-foot fireplace.
The duck club used the hunting lodge for 30 years, before it sold the property to Ferdinand C. and Jane Homer Lee in 1947.
Between 1960 and 1963, the Lees deeded their 44-acres to Anne Arundel County in four parcels at a price of $5.00 each with the stipulation that the property be used for recreation and conservation purpose. Thanks to their generosity, thousands of visitors each year have enjoyed the natural beauty of the park. And thousands
Photographed by Don Morfe, March 28, 1999
2. Our Abundant Chesapeake Marker
The Thomas Point Lighthouse: A Bay Landmark. One of the most familiar landmarks of the Chesapeake is the Thomas Point Lighthouse. The present lighthouse stands approximately one mile off the end of the point, where it has steered boaters clear of the treacherous Thomas Point shoal since 1874. This structure is actually the third lighthouse to be built in the vicinity. The first began service in 1825 on land that eventually eroded away, at which time it was rebuilt in 1838. The current lighthouse is an unusual white hexagonal building complete with keeper’s quarters. The iron pilings which anchor the lighthouse are literally screwed into the bottom of the Chesapeake Bay.
The Thomas Point lantern generates 6,000 candlepower of white light that is visible for up to 12 miles; boaters can see the 1,300 candlepower red light from approximately 9 miles away. The lighthouse also is equipped with a foghorn that sounds regularly during periods of low visibility.
A keeper manned the lighthouse until the mid-1980 when the light was automated
Photographed by Don Morfe, March 28, 1999
3. Thomas Point Lighthouse
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Lighthouses series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1500.
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 38° 54.446′ N, 76° 27.627′ W. Marker was near Annapolis Neck, Maryland, in Anne Arundel County. It was in Thomas Point Park. It was on Thomas Point Road. The marker is located at the foot of Thomas Point Park. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 3890 Thomas Point Rd, Annapolis MD 21403, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker was in Central Maryland. It was also in the American Mid-Atlantic, in the Chesapeake Bay Region, 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 one of the original Thirteen Colonies and also the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this location, measured as the crow flies: A different marker also named Thomas Point / Our Abundant Chesapeake (here, next to this marker); Thomas Point Shoal Lighthouse (a few steps from this marker); Dino (approx. 0.3 miles away); Arundel-on-the-Bay (approx. 0.6 miles away); Dr. Mary Church Terrell (approx. 1˝ miles away); Dr. Millard R. "Buddy" Dean (approx. 1.6 miles away); Twin Oaks (approx. 1.6 miles away); Highland Beach Maryland (approx. 1.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Annapolis Neck.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 16, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 30, 2016, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,118 times since then and 46 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 30, 2016, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
