Fort Washington Light, Wooden lighthouse in Fort Washington Park, Maryland
Fort Washington Light is a wooden lighthouse with a pyramid-shaped tower located along the Potomac River's banks in Prince George's County. The structure stands approximately 8.5 meters tall and displays a red flashing beacon for river navigation.
The structure was originally built in 1882 as a fog bell tower to warn passing vessels of hazards. In 1901 it was converted to use a lens system for improved navigation signaling.
The lighthouse takes its name from the nearby fort and reflects the river's role in regional commerce and transportation history. Visitors can observe how the location connects to the broader maritime traditions of the Potomac River.
The lighthouse sits within Fort Washington Park boundaries and remains closed to the public for direct access. You can view it from park areas during daylight hours when the park grounds are open.
This lighthouse was constructed from wood, which is unusual among American lighthouses that were typically built from metal or stone. This rare wooden construction makes it a distinctive example of early lighthouse engineering.
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