History of the Lighthouse
Concord Point Lighthouse is the oldest lighthouse in Maryland that is accessible to the public. Pooles Island Light (built 2 years earlier) is within Aberdeen Proving Ground and off-limits. Built by John Donahoo, the 2 lighthouses are very similar, from the local granite construction to the mahogony doors. The original Keeper’s Dwelling still exists at Concord Point and has been fully restored to its 1884 version.
Lighthouse Fun Facts
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Second oldest lighthouse in Maryland (built 1827) and Northern-most lighthouse on the Chesapeake Bay
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30-foot tower painted white with metal lantern painted black
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Built of local Port Deposit granite
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Tower walls are 3 feet thick at the base, 18 inches at the top
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5th Order Fresnels lens
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27 granite steps, 8-rung iron ladder to lantern
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Original tongue and groove mahogony door and lock
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First keeper was John O’Neill, hero of the War of 1812
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Automated in 1920
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Decommissioned in 1975 - Oldest light in continuous service at the time of decommissioning
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Keeper’s Dwelling was built 200 feet from the tower in 1827, also of local granite
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Dwelling currently houses exhibits and Gift Shop
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Limited Edition Prints by Chris White depict the Keeper’s Dwelling in 1880’s
Pre-Restoration History
In the early 1970’s the future of Concord Point Lighthouse was uncertain. The U.S. Navy planned to close the Bainbridge Naval Training Station in Port Deposit and a channel buoy was to replace the lighthouse as the official aid to navigation.
The 5th Coast Guard District of Portsmouth, VA was proud of the lighthouse, thought to be the oldest in continuous service in the United States. In 1973 the 5th District informed Frank Hutchins, then Havre de Grace City Council President, of its desire to deed the lighthouse to the City as a historical landmark. Negotiations with the City proceeded while the Coast Guard nominated Concord Point Lighthouse to the National Register of Historic Sites.
Finally in 1977, then Mayor Hutchins accepted the deed transfer of the Lighthouse from the United States, conditional upon the City maintaining the light. Almost immediately the Fresnel lens went missing. An article in the Havre de Grace Record dated June 22, 1977 states:
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Sometime after November 1975, when the Coast Guard made its final check at Concord Point to take the lighthouse out of service, the fifth order Fresnel lens was removed. Havre de Grace and law enforcement officials have tried, so far without success, to locate the lens and have it replaced in the lighthouse.
Lighthouse Restoration
The Friends of Concord Point Lighthouse formed in June 1979 and took on the task of saving and restoring the historic lighthouse. Grant funds for restoration were received from the Maryland Historical Trust. Architect James T. Wollon, Jr. directed the lighthouse restoration.
The contractor was Carl E. Giesler of Delta, Pennsylvania. Restoration began in May of 1981. The main features of restoration included:
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Removal of plywood decking at the top
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Hand-scraping and brushing of interior walls
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Roof-mounted electrical system disconnected and replaced
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Wood parapet walls were found unsecured to both metal lantern frame and stone floor
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Lantern interior wainscotting painted, exterior wainscotting replaced
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Decayed portions of window jambs replaced and spliced into original material
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Joints in soapstone platform repointed with lime mortar
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Cracked joints in stone walls repointed with lime mortar
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Brick floor of tower found to be laid in Portland cement on sand base
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All metal surfaces were primed and painted
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Lighthouse exterior was painted to the original daymark, white tower, black lantern room​
In 1983, a replacement 5th order Fresnel lens was provided on loan from the U.S. Coast Guard. Several volunteer engineers from Aberdeen Proving Ground completed installation, providing a fixed, white light. Exterior flood lamps were installed to discourage vandalism.