Sharps Island Light, Offshore lighthouse in Chesapeake Bay, Maryland
Sharps Island Light is an offshore cast iron lighthouse in Chesapeake Bay, situated approximately 3 miles from the southern tip of Tilghman Island. The structure originally included integrated living quarters and served maritime navigation across the bay.
The current tower was built in 1882 as the third structure at this location, after earlier lighthouses were destroyed by erosion and ice damage. The site served as a crucial navigation marker for vessels traveling the bay for over a century.
The lighthouse represents maritime navigation heritage and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places since July 22, 1982.
This offshore lighthouse is viewable from land but offers only distant perspectives of the structure. Visitors can best observe it through boat tours or coastal vantage points along the shoreline.
The structure has leaned at about a 15-degree angle since 1977 after damage from an ice floe, maintaining its distinctive tilted silhouette. This permanent lean makes it instantly recognizable in photographs.
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