Watts Island Light

Oct. 22, 2019
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Watts Island Light, Watts Island, Chesapeake Bay, Maryland

Built in 1833.

WATTS ISLAND LIGHT

Lighthouse Name: Watts Island Lighthouse
Location: Chesapeake Bay, Little Watts Island near Tangier Island
Station Established: 1867
Year Current Tower(s) First Lit: N/A
Operational? No
Automated? N/A 
Deactivated: 1944
Foundation Materials: 
Construction Materials: 
Tower Shape: 48 Foot Tower 
Markings/Pattern: 
Relationship to Other Structure: Separate 20 by 34 keeper’s quarters
Original Lens: Fifth Order Fresnel 

Historical Information:

  • The tower was built in 1867.  In 1891 a keeper’s quarters was added. 
  • The light was automated in 1923. 
  • A winter storm in 1944 toppled the tower and the island eroded away.  Only a shoal remains where the island and lighthouse once stood. 

The above was researched and drafted by Melissa Buckler, a Chesapeake Chapter of the U.S. Light House Society volunteer.
Land Asset Lighthouse