Thomas Point Shoal Light

Thomas Point Shoal Light is a wooden lighthouse in the Chesapeake Bay featuring a hexagonal cottage structure supported by cast iron beams that rises about 50 feet (15 meters) tall. The entire structure rests on screw piles driven deep into the bay floor, anchoring it securely in the shallow waters.

The lighthouse was built in 1875 to replace earlier navigation markers that had become inadequate for these hazardous waters. Operations became automated in 1986, though the structure itself has remained in its original form.

The lighthouse represents how maritime navigation evolved in Maryland, serving as a guide for vessels since its construction. Local seafaring communities view it as a symbol of traditional piloting practices that shaped these waters over many generations.

Reaching the lighthouse requires traveling by boat since it sits in open water and is only accessible from the water. Guided tours depart from Annapolis and operate during specific seasons, so plan ahead for a visit.

It is the last screw-pile lighthouse with cottage design still operating in its original location in the Chesapeake Bay. This distinctive construction method was developed specifically for shallow waters and offers a rare look at a 19th-century engineering approach.

Location: Anne Arundel County

Inception: 1875

Height: 15 m

Made from material: lumber

GPS coordinates: 38.89900,-76.43600

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:52