Lighthouses of the world

Makapu'u Point Lighthouse! Waimanalo, Hawaii!

Marblehead, OH - Enjoying the balmy 19-degree temps at Marblehead Lighthouse, Christmas morning In any season and any weather, this is hands-down one of the most beautiful locations in that state.

Why are lighthouses still active?

Lighthouses remain active for several reasons ¹:
- Navigational Aid: They serve as beacons for maritime pilots at sea or on inland waterways, marking dangerous coastlines, hazardous shoals, reefs, rocks, and safe entries to harbors.
- Advancements in Technology: While electronic navigational systems have become more prevalent, lighthouses continue to be useful due to advancements in lighting technology, such as energy-efficient LED lights that can be powered by solar panels.
- Unique Identification: Each lighthouse has a distinct light characteristic, such as flashing patterns or colors, which helps mariners identify specific locations.
- Supplementing Electronic Navigation: Lighthouses can provide a visual aid when electronic systems fail or are not available, ensuring safe navigation.
- Historical and Tourist Significance: Many lighthouses are preserved and maintained as historical landmarks and tourist attractions.

In the case of the lighthouse in the post, without knowing the specific location, it's hard to say why it's still active. However, given its depiction as a functioning lighthouse with a lit beacon, it's likely serving one of the purposes mentioned above.

Portland Head Light is a historic lighthouse in Cape Elizabeth, Maine. The light station sits on a headland at the entrance of the primary shipping channel into Portland Harbor, which is within Casco Bay in the Gulf of Maine. Completed in 1791, it is the oldest lighthouse in Maine. The light station is automated, and the tower, beacon, and foghorn are maintained by the United States Coast Guard, while the former lighthouse keeper's house is a maritime museum within Fort Williams Park.

The lighthouse pictured is the South Mole Lighthouse, located at the entrance to Fremantle Harbour in Western Australia.
Overview
Location: It sits on the South Mole peninsula in Fremantle, near Perth, Western Australia.
Construction: The lighthouse is a 15-meter tall structure made of prefabricated cast iron sections, built by Chance Brothers in the United Kingdom and assembled on-site in 1903.
Color and Function: The tower was originally painted French grey but was repainted green sometime after World War II. The green color and light signal are used to guide incoming boats on their starboard side when entering the harbor channel.
Accessibility: The lighthouse area is a popular spot for walking, fishing, and watching sunsets and ships, and is accessible to the public, although visitors cannot go inside the tower itself.

Peggy's Point Lighthouse, also known as the Peggy's Cove Lighthouse, in Nova Scotia, Canada.

How many lighthouses are there in America?

The United States has approximately 1,000 lighthouses, including light towers, range lights, and pier head lights. Michigan proudly holds the record for the most lighthouses, boasting over 150 past and present lights. Some notable lighthouses include ¹:
- Tallest Lighthouses:
- Cape Hatteras Light, North Carolina: 210 feet (64 meters) tall
- Ponce de Leon Light, Florida: 175 feet (53 meters) tall
- Point Pinos Light and Point Arena Light, California: 115 feet (35 meters) tall
- Oldest Lighthouses:
- Boston Light, Massachusetts: built in 1783
- Sandy Hook Light, New Jersey: built in 1764
- Notable Lighthouse States:
- Michigan: Over 120 listed lighthouses
- Maine: Home to the tallest New England lighthouse, Boon Island Light, at 133 feet (41 meters)
- California: Features historic lights like Point Pinos Light (1855) and Point Arena Light (1895)

These numbers may vary as new lighthouses are discovered, and some may be decommissioned or destroyed over time.

The Cape Sorell Lighthouse in Tasmania, Australia.

Split Po

int Lighthouse, Victoria, Australia