Plum Beach Light

Plum Beach Light is a cast iron and concrete conical tower that rises 16 meters above the waters of Narragansett Bay. The lighthouse was constructed on a foundation built on shore and then towed to its current location in the water.

The lighthouse began operations in 1898 and used pneumatic caisson engineering for its foundation, which workers built on shore before towing it to location. This innovative construction method allowed the tower to be installed in the water efficiently.

This lighthouse represents an important maritime symbol for the bay's identity and is valued by locals and visitors as a historical marker of navigation and seafaring heritage. The tower's presence in the landscape serves as a reminder of the era when such structures were essential to maritime safety and commerce.

The best view of the lighthouse is from the shoreline of the bay or by boat, since the tower stands in the water. It is important to note that the structure is best seen from shore, and viewing conditions vary depending on the season and weather.

In the winter of 1918, Narragansett Bay froze so completely that vehicles crossed the ice, causing structural damage to the tower. This extraordinary event shows just how severe conditions in the bay can become.

Location: Washington County

Inception: 1897

Height: 16 m

GPS coordinates: 41.53027,-71.40525

Latest update: December 13, 2025 12:21