Cedar Point Light, Maritime navigation structure at Cedar Point, St. Mary's County, US
Cedar Point Light was a two-story brick house with an attached tower that rose approximately 50 feet (15 meters) above water level at the junction where the Patuxent River meets Chesapeake Bay. The structure served as a navigation aid for vessels passing through this busy waterway.
The structure was built in 1896 to guide sailors at a critical waterway intersection, and the Coast Guard abandoned it in 1928. This closure marked the shift when newer navigation technology began replacing older methods that relied on visible structures like this one.
The lighthouse represents a time when local sailors and fishermen depended on traditional navigation aids to safely move through the bay's waters. It stands as a reminder of the connection between people and the waterways that shaped their livelihoods.
The site is best accessed through Lexington Park, where a historical marker commemorates the original lighthouse. A visit requires no special preparation, though the area is primarily residential with limited parking options nearby.
The lighthouse cupola was preserved and now resides in the Patuxent Naval Air Station museum, allowing visitors to view a piece of the original structure. This salvaged element represents one of the few tangible remnants of this distinctive building style.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
