Going Once, Going Twice...

This is on auction right off the island we live on, in Chesapeake Bay. Cool, huh? We could own our very own lighthouse. I don't know where I'd keep the chickens, though. Even less for the goats. There's not much back yard. Hey, if your interested in a partnership, send money, and if we win the auction, I'll share it with you. Here's more information about this lighthouse, if your interested (not in buying it, but in general) that kind of thing.

BLOODY POINT BAR LIGHT
Location: Off the southern tip of Kent Island, MD, Chesapeake BayDate Built: Commissioned 1882Type of Structure: Caisson with iron dwelling / tower (spark plug caisson)Height: 54 feet above mean high waterCharacteristics: Flashing white, with 2 red sectorsFoghorn: Yes – horn backed up by a bellAppropriation: $25,000Range: white – 9 miles, red – 7 milesStatus: Standing and Active

Historical Information:

A light was requested for this location as early as 1868 to mark both the bar and the northern entrance to the Eastern Bay. It was also felt that it could also serve as a backup should the Thomas Point screw-pile light ever succumb to ice. However, Congress did not approve the funds until 1881. At that time $25,000 was appropriated for a caisson light similar to the one then under construction at Sharps Island. Construction began in June 1882 and was relatively uneventful. The light was commissioned October 1 of the same year. A fourth order Fresnel lens was exhibited.

In February 1883 a room was added to house a fog bell and striker.
The winter of 1882 – 3 included several severe storms and the resulting scour caused the light to tilt noticeably just one year after its construction. Riprap stone was immediately set around the base to halt further scour. In 1884 more permanent fixes were made – Sand was dredged from one side to bring the tower to a more upright position, then an apron of over 750 tons of stone was laid at the caisson base. The repair was successful, though a slight list still exists.

In 1960 a fire, which began in the equipment room, rapidly engulfed the light. The two Coast Guard attendants initially fought the blaze, then barely escaped with their lives before the large fuel tanks exploded. The structure was completely gutted and is now just an iron shell with a steel ladder inside for access to the lantern.

Researched and written by Matthew B. Jenkins, a volunteer through the Chesapeake Chapter of the U.S. Light House Society.

Click here to access the National Register of Historic Places nomination for the Bloody Point Bar Light Station.

Photographs (click on light name below to access image):
BLOODY POINT BAR LIGHT; no photo number; "Bloody Point Bar Lighthouse, Maryland"; 3 July 1885; photo by Major Jared A. Smith.
BLOODY POINT BAR LIGHT; no photo number/caption; date/photographer unknown.

And if you're really really interested, here's the auction info: http://www.auctionrp.com/auctions2/default.cfm?action=itemInfo&id=606