Newport Harbor Light

Newport Harbor Light is a stone tower on Goat Island with an octagonal shape and stands about 36 feet (11 meters) tall. The structure houses a lighthouse lens system that helped guide ships navigating through Narragansett Bay.

Congress funded the construction of the first lighthouse structure in 1823, but the current stone facility was built in 1842 at a new location. Automation of the system followed in the 1920s after an incident made the need for change evident.

The light served as a home for lighthouse keepers and their families who lived on this island and guided ships through the busy harbor. Today the structure stands as a reminder of those who kept the beacon burning from this isolated post.

The tower is visible from the surrounding walkways on the island and can be photographed from various angles. Keep in mind that the interior remains closed to the public.

A submarine collided with the keeper's house on the island in 1921, damaging it so severely that it had to be demolished. This unusual event eventually led to the automation of the lighthouse.

Location: Newport

Inception: 1823

Height: 11 m

Made from material: stone

GPS coordinates: 41.49331,-71.32704

Latest update: December 12, 2025 17:43