Craighill Channel Lower Range Rear Light

Craighill Channel Lower Range Rear Light is a navigation structure in Baltimore County standing 105 feet tall with an iron skeleton framework. The central wooden shaft is reinforced with iron plating, and the entire tower rests on a carefully engineered foundation system.

The lighthouse was built in 1873 and required nine stone piers to support its weight. Major repairs came in 1884 when wooden braces were replaced with stronger metal reinforcements.

The lighthouse takes its name from William Price Craighill, an engineer who shaped shipping routes in the bay. It serves as a visual marker for captains entering Baltimore Harbor and finding their way through busy water passages.

The lighthouse sits near Ramona Beach and Edgemere and is best viewed from the water or from a distance along the coast. As a working aid for maritime navigation, it remains a notable landmark when traveling through or around Baltimore Harbor.

This is the tallest lighthouse in Maryland, and its caisson design proved especially able to withstand damage from ice floes in Chesapeake Bay. The iron reinforced structure could better resist impacts from drifting ice than traditional construction methods.

Location: Baltimore County

GPS coordinates: 39.22903,-76.39440

Latest update: December 14, 2025 11:20