Each night while we were sitting outside enjoying sunsets on
the bay, we noted that there was a bright light just upstream from where we
were on a point of Prudence Island which was located across the bay from us. We were finally able to get a shot of what we
believe is a lighthouse but is undocumented as such. We have a picture (see below) and will
continue to research this and get back with everyone as to its status.
Unknown Marker across the bay from our RV Site
So Sunday was a beautiful day and we started out early by
heading north about 2 ½ miles to a vantage point on the bank of the bay were we
could see the Prudence Island Lighthouse across the water. The thirty foot tall granite tower is the
oldest lighthouse in Rhode Island, and one of the few lighthouses in the
country to retain a bird cage lantern. It
was originally built in 1823 on Goat Island, was dismantled and moved in 1851
to Sandy Point on the east side of Prudence Island. It returned to service in January 1852.
Prudence Island Lighthouse
The next lighthouse, Bristol Ferry, is located under the
Mount Hope River Bridge. Built in 1854,
it was first lit in 1855. It has been
retired since 1930 when the opening of the bridge made it redundant. It is now a private residence.
Bristol Ferry Lighthouse
The Hog Island Shoal lighthouse is located on Hog Island
which about 200 acres just off shore from Bristol Township. Early settlers kept hogs and other livestock
on the island because it was protected from predators and the animals could not
wander off. However, just south of the
island was a dangerous shoal and narrow bay at that point, necessitated a
lighthouse to warm mariners. Bristol
Ferry lighthouse guided them to the passage, while Hog Island kept them from
going aground on the shoal. Construction
of the lighthouse began in 1901. The
lighthouse was put up for auction in 2006 and it was purchased for $165,000.
Hog Island Shoal Lighthouse
Nayatt Point Lighthouse marks the narrow channel between Nayatt Point and the reef off of
Conimicut Point. Although greatly
expanded, the original brick house still stands today and is the oldest keepers
dwelling still standing in Rhode Island.
Nayatt Point Lighthouse
The Pomham Rocks Lighthouse is located on a large rock on
the east side of the Providence River.
This lighthouse went into operation December 1871, was retired in 1974
and replaced by a skeleton tower which continues to show a fixed red light to
mariners. In 1980 the original
lighthouse was put up for auction, and with a high bid of $40.100 by Exxon
Mobile who now leases it to the American Lighthouse Foundation and Friends of
Pomham Rocks Lighthouse. The corporation
also donated $50,000 for restoration of the lighthouse. The lighthouse was relit in 2006 after the
completion of the restoration.
Pomham Rocks Lighthouse
We next drove to the Conimicut Lighthouse which is located
on a reef between Rocky Point and Nayatt Point.
Its construction allowed the Nayatt Point Lighthouse to be
discontinued.
Conimicut Lighthouse
Our final lighthouse of the day was the Warwick Lighthouse
located on Warwick Neck. First built in
1826, with the keepers house added in 1833.
A new tower was built in 1932 due to eroding ground. In 1939, the tower was moved again to its
present day location. The lighthouse
still operates today and is on the grounds of a Coast Guard Station. It was the last Rhode Island lighthouse to be
automated.
Warwick Lighthouse
We ended the day relaxing and watching one of the most
amazing sunsets we have seen so far on this leg of the journey.
Rhode Island is an amazing state to visit. Full of quaint towns, beautiful
mansions, an unending coastline, nice
people, and amazing sunsets!. We hope we
have the opportunity to return to visit again
as there is so much to more to see and do!
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