Cove Point Lighthouse was built in 1828 to mark the shoal that extends outwards toward the shipping channel. It is 51 feet tall and was build by John Donohoo, the same person who built the Concord Point light. The light tower and the keeper's house were constructed of locally manufactured brick with a total cost of $2000 for the entire project.
In 1857 a fourth-order Fresnel lens was installed. It was converted from kerosene to electricity in 1928. It is visible for 12 nautical miles.
Over the years the keeper's house was expanded from a single keepers house for his wife and family to a three story duplex to house two keepers and their families. Next a small two-bedroom house was built for a third keeper. During the addition of the third keeper's house, an office building was added. This was to house an emergency generator and a new air-powered sound signal for periods of low visibility. In 1969 the horn was replaced with an electric diaphone signal. This signal could be heard for a distance of two miles.
On August 16, 1986, Cove Point Lighthouse was officially automated. With computer monitoring equipment installed, today the lighthouse is managed remotely from Baltimore, MD.
The light and keepers house and the other buildings on the site are listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
Learn more about this wonderful light at The Calvert Maritime Museum.
Cove Point admission fees: FREE
May and September, open weekends 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
June through August, open daily 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
The Cove Point lighthouse is closed October through May.
Call for seasonal schedules of exhibits and tours. Group arrangements and guided tours, call 410-326-2042, ext. 41.
The museum will be closed on the following holidays: New Years Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
Take State Route 4 east from the Washington Beltway to State Route 2-4 to Solomons. Once in Solomons, stay in the right lane of Route 2-4. It will exit to Route 2, passing under the Thomas Johnson Bridge. Make a left, drive approximately 200 yards, and the museum will be right in front of you.
From Baltimore:
Take Interstate 97 south from the Baltimore Beltway, to State Route 3 and U.S. Route 301 south to State Route 4. Continue south/east to State Route 2-4 to Solomons. Once in Solomons, stay in the right lane of Route 2-4. It will exit to Route 2, passing under the Thomas Johnson Bridge. Make a left, drive approximately 200 yards, and the museum will be right in front of you.
From Richmond, VA:
Take U.S. route 301 north into Maryland, then State Route 234 east to State Route 5, south on State Route 5 passing Leonardtown, left on State Route 4 across the Thomas Johnson Bridge (lower Patuxent River Bridge) to State Route 2 at east end of the bridge, then right approximately 500 feet to the museum.
2001(c) Chesapeake Chapter, USLHS. All rights reserved.