(Located 3.5 miles east of Old Point Comfort, at the mouth of James River, Hampton Roads, VA – Updated 5/27/2020)
1821: Lightship stationed near Thimble Shoal.
1872: First lighthouse, a screwpile, erected.
10/30/1880: Screwpile cottage destroyed by fire. Foundation survives.
12/24/1880: Screwpile cottage, destined for Bells Rock, VA installed instead on existing ironwork. 2nd fog bell installed.
1891: Lighthouse rammed by hit-and-run steamer and damaged.
1898: Lighthouse rammed by coal barge, causing considerable damage and extensive repair.
12/27/1909: Lighthouse severely struck by schooner Malcolm Baxter, Jr. nearly splitting cottage in two; resultant fire destroys cottage. Three keepers on duty escape in a small boat.
1914: Present caisson, three-story cast-iron tower standing 55 feet above the bay, constructed and equipped with 4th order Fresnel lens
1915: Keeper Horace C. Groom is awarded the efficiency gold star.
1918: Keeper Horace C. Groom is awarded the commissioner’s efficiency star.
1915: Schooner Addie M. Lawrence strikes lighthouse.
1964: Power cable from mainland and battery backup installed.
1987: Solar cells replace electric cable.
2003-04: Lighthouse becomes available for transfer or sale under the provisions of the NHLPA.
2005: Lighthouse sold to Peter Jurewicz of Smithfield for $65,000.
Source: Bay Beacons by Linda Turbyville, Lighting the Bay: Tales of Chesapeake Lighthouses by Pat Vojtech and Lighthouses of Maryland and Virginia – History, Mystery, Legends & Lore by Bob Trapani, Jr.
