Pooles Island Light

Pooles Island Light is a granite lighthouse tower standing about 11.5 meters tall in the Chesapeake Bay with a fourth-order Fresnel lens installed during the 1800s. The structure sits isolated on the island and remains closed to visitors, though it is clearly visible from the water.

Construction of the lighthouse was completed in 1825 following congressional approval and funding in 1824, making it one of the earliest on the Chesapeake Bay. It survived military conflicts and was restored to active service after decades of disuse.

The tower represents an important landmark in regional maritime history, visible from the water as a symbol of the Chesapeake Bay's shipping past. Its presence connects visitors to the area's nautical heritage even from a distance.

The lighthouse cannot be accessed from the mainland but can be viewed from the water, such as during a boat tour of the bay. The island remains closed to visitors due to the presence of unexploded ordnance from past military use.

The tower sat inactive for roughly 72 years before being reactivated as part of a military anniversary celebration. This rare event demonstrated how this historical structure continues to hold meaning in the region's public consciousness.

Location: Harford County

Inception: 1825

Height: 11.5 m

Website: https://lighthousefriends.com/light.asp?ID=414

GPS coordinates: 39.29055,-76.26644

Latest update: December 10, 2025 20:08