Near Port Penn in New Castle County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Port Penn Front Range Light
Photographed By William Pfingsten, August 17, 2008
1. Port Penn Front Range Light Marker
Inscription.
Port Penn Front Range Light. . In 1875, Congress approved funding to build several lighthouses along this segment of the Delaware River. This site was purchased in April 1876, and by December the Port Penn Front Range Light was completed. Constructed under the direction of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, it was a two story frame structure with a lantern room above. The light was powered by a double-wick oil burner. The floors below served as living space for the lighthouse keeper and his family. Keepers were Henry C. Walter (1876-1885) and George W. Duncan (1885-1904). The facility was renovated and expanded circa 1898. Due to changes in the shipping channel, the light was closed in October 1904. The property was sold as surplus in 1911.
In 1875, Congress approved funding to build several lighthouses along this segment of the Delaware River. This site was purchased in April 1876, and by December the Port Penn Front Range Light was completed. Constructed under the direction of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, it was a two story frame structure with a lantern room above. The light was powered by a double-wick oil burner. The floors below served as living space for the lighthouse keeper and his family. Keepers were Henry C. Walter (1876-1885) and George W. Duncan (1885-1904). The facility was renovated and expanded circa 1898. Due to changes in the shipping channel, the light was closed in October 1904. The property was sold as surplus in 1911.
Erected 2003 by Delaware Public Archives. (Marker Number NC-131.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Delaware Public Archives series list. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1876.
Location. 39° 29.536′ N, 75° 35.359′ W. Marker is near Port Penn, Delaware, in New Castle County. Marker is on St. Augustine Road Rt. 9, on the right when traveling north. Marker is about 900 ft. south of the St. Augustine bridge.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 12, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 20, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,687 times since then and 27 times this year. Photo1. submitted on August 20, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.
