Thomas Point Shoals Light Station
Lighthouse in Maryland. Built 1875. Added to the National Register in 1975, and a National Historic Landmark.
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What it is
The Thomas Point Shoal Light, also known as Thomas Point Shoal Light Station, is a historic lighthouse in the Chesapeake Bay on the east coast of the United States, and the most recognized lighthouse in Maryland. It is the only screw-pile lighthouse in the bay which stands at its original site. The current structure is a 1½ story hexagonal wooden cottage, equipped with a foghorn as well as the light.
Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
The record
| Property type | Structure |
| Address | Kent Island, Chesapeake Bay, Annapolis, MD |
| County | Anne Arundel County |
| Listed | Feb 20, 1975 |
| Listed for | Engineering, Transportation, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Reference number | 75000864 |
| Built | 1875 · more from the 1870s |
| Type of place | wooden lighthouse |
| Designations | National Historic Landmark |
| Contributing resources | 1 structure |
| Standing | Yes |
The nomination form, the document that argues why this place matters, is in the National Archives: Read the nomination ↗
Visiting
| Address | Kent Island, Chesapeake Bay, Annapolis, MD |
| Coordinates | 38.8990° N, 76.4359° W · Directions ↗ |
| Also in Annapolis | 29 listed places in Annapolis → |
| Nearest national park unit | Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail · 6 miles · on Park Atlas |
| Federal campgrounds nearby | Greenbelt Campground 25 miles · Greenbelt Park Picnic Areas 25 miles · Greenbelt Park Ranger Station 25 miles |
Explore
Drawings & photographs
Measured drawings and photographs from the Library of Congress. Public domain. All 3 records ↗
Map
Nearby in Anne Arundel County
Local history books for Annapolis and Anne Arundel County
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Guidebooks to historic places in Maryland
Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
When was Thomas Point Shoals Light Station listed on the National Register?
Feb 20, 1975. It is also a National Historic Landmark, the higher of the two designations.
Source: National Park Service
When was Thomas Point Shoals Light Station built?
1875.
Source: Wikidata
Can I visit Thomas Point Shoals Light Station?
Yes. Thomas Point Shoals Light Station is recorded as open to the public.
Source: Wikidata
Where is Thomas Point Shoals Light Station?
Kent Island, Chesapeake Bay, Annapolis, Anne Arundel County, Maryland. The nearest national park unit is Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail, 6 miles away.
Source: Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail
Are there historic photographs or drawings of Thomas Point Shoals Light Station?
Yes. The Historic American Buildings Survey at the Library of Congress has drawings or photographs of it.
Source: Library of Congress
Where is the nomination form for Thomas Point Shoals Light Station?
The National Archives holds the nomination form, the document that made the case for listing.
Source: National Archives
Are there campgrounds near Thomas Point Shoals Light Station?
Three federal campgrounds are within reach. The closest is Greenbelt Campground, 25 miles away. Greenbelt Park Picnic Areas is 25 miles away, and Greenbelt Park Ranger Station is 25 miles away.
Source: Campsite Atlas
Is there cell service at Thomas Point Shoals Light Station?
FCC coverage maps show Verizon 4G LTE at the listed point. Coverage indoors and behind old masonry is another matter.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
Sources
Location, type and contributing counts come from the National Park Service's National Register spatial data. Listing dates come from the National Register office's spreadsheet where it carries the listing. Construction date, architect, style, photograph and encyclopedia link come from Wikidata and Wikimedia Commons, matched on reference number 75000864. Nothing here is transcribed by hand. The nomination form and photographs ↗ at NPGallery are the original nomination as filed with the National Park Service, and the form is often the best description of the place. The description under "What it is" is the opening of the Wikipedia article, CC BY-SA. Drawings and photographs are Historic American Buildings Survey records at the Library of Congress, public domain.