1823: A light at Thomas Point is officially requested by William Bedford Barney, a naval officer for the Port of Baltimore.
1824: Congress appropriates $6,500 to construct a lighthouse at Thomas Point. The land is purchased for $529.69.
1825: A 30-foot tall, conical tower is constructed by John Donahoo, and lit for the first time. The tower is equipped with thirteen lamps set in reflectors, which produced a fixed white light. A keeper’s cottage is also constructed at the same time.
1838: The lighthouse is in danger of falling into the bay, due to erosion.
1840: Winslow Lew is paid $2,000 to tear down the original lighthouse, and rebuild it behind the keeper’s cottage. A large amount of stone is placed at the base of the bluff.
1855: A Fifth-order Fresnel lens is placed in the Thomas Point Lighthouse.
1894: The second Thomas Point Lighthouse falls victim to erosion, and collapses. Items of any value that remained were removed and sold at an auction.
Sources:
1. Annual Report of the Lighthouse Board, various years.
2. Annual Report of the Secretary of the Treasury on the State of Finances, various years.
3. Thomas Point Shoal Lighthouse, David Gendelle, 2020.
