Windmill Point Light

Windmill Point Light is a lighthouse with an octagonal tower standing at the mouth of the Rappahannock River in Lancaster County. The blue limestone structure marks the location where the river meets open water and serves as a navigation aid for passing vessels.

Three lightships marked this dangerous location starting in 1839 before a permanent structure was built to better guide vessels through the waters. The lighthouse was constructed in 1869 to replace the temporary floating markers that had previously warned of the Rappahannock Spit shoal.

The lighthouse keeper's residence served the customs service during the Prohibition period to monitor and prevent illegal activities in the waterways.

The lighthouse operates with modern solar-powered equipment and is actively used for vessel navigation in the area. Visitors should be aware that access depends on weather conditions and shipping activity, as it remains a functioning navigation aid.

Winter ice severely damaged the structure in 1917, leading to extensive repairs that took until 1921 to complete.

Location: Lancaster County

GPS coordinates: 37.59680,-76.23590

Latest update: December 13, 2025 17:05