Liston Range Rear Light

Liston Range Rear Light is a lighthouse in New Castle County, Delaware, featuring a 37-meter skeletal tower built from wrought iron. The internal structure contains an interlocking spiral staircase made from metal plates that ascends to the lantern room above.

The lighthouse was built in 1877 by the Kellogg Bridge Company of Buffalo and later relocated in 1906 to its current location. This move improved its range for guiding ships through the evolving Delaware River navigation channel.

The structure is recognized locally as a symbol of the region's maritime heritage and shipping traditions. Its distinctive iron framework shapes the visual identity of the Delaware River landscape today.

The site is located roughly five kilometers inland from the Delaware River and is accessible by surrounding roads. Visitors should be prepared for the height and metal framework, as the climb can be narrow and steep.

The beacon uses a rare second-order Fresnel lens that remains preserved and functional for maritime aid today. These optical lenses were once standard in lighthouses worldwide and are now uncommon technical relics from an earlier era.

Location: New Castle County

Inception: 1877

Height: 37 m

GPS coordinates: 39.52390,-75.63900

Latest update: December 14, 2025 13:03