Like a string of pearls encircling the coastline, lighthouses usa have been sentinels to mariners and symbols of safety and endurance throughout American history. The first lighthouse was built in Boston Harbor in 1716, and as the nation grew so did its lighthouses, creating a gleaming necklace of beacons across America’s treacherous seas and waterways.
Though their success can’t be measured by statistics and cause-and-effect linkages, the country’s guiding lights are invaluable to the economy of coastal communities, help keep people out of harm’s way during stormy weather, and provide scenic attractions for tourists and locals alike. This collection of photos from around the country shows these iconic structures in all their glory, including the mighty Cape Hatteras and other Outer Banks lighthouses along the East Coast, Oregon’s Heceta Head lighthouse, and lighthouses along the Great Lakes.
Each lighthouse is pictured in its own unique environment, with images of the exterior and interior, a detail of the tower’s design, as well as its location on the coast or shoreline. Some of these locations have also been incorporated into museums, inns, or research and educational centers.
Although many lighthouses have been automated over the years, they remain important for maritime navigation. As their importance has diminished, the federal government has been handing them over to other entities for preservation under the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act of 2000. Since the beginning of the century, over 151 lighthouses have been transferred to private ownership and others sold at auction, with some being donated to nonprofit organizations.
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