Lighthouses can inspire awe and conjure up thoughts about the many mariners who have been guided by the light over the ocean to the shore’s safety Fenwick Island Lighthouse is one such structure. Come and visit this icon of the town of Fenwick. It measures an impressive 87 feet (27 meters) in height.
The lighthouse was erected at this location on the border with Maryland to warn ships of the treacherous Fenwick shoals that are 6 miles (10 kilometers) offshore. Gaze out to sea and realize that at one time, the only access to the lighthouse was by boat.
View the light at night from the ground as it casts its beam visible up to 15 nautical miles (28 kilometers) out at sea. Notice the Fresnel lens that is the original one used when the lighthouse opened, although it was removed for a period in the 1970s. Originally whale oil was used before electricity to keep the beacon lit. The lighthouse fell dark in 1978 when it was decommissioned, but supporters were successful in getting the light back on in 1982. Volunteers have maintained the functionality of the lighthouse and it remains a navigational aid to private boaters.
Visit the lighthouse and its museum at various times through the summer, although it’s closed on rainy days. Take some time to savor this well-maintained building in return for a donation that goes toward its upkeep and having it remain operational. Let young family members see what it’s like inside a lighthouse, although going to the top is not permitted. Talk to the volunteers who will provide some interesting facts about the light, and possibly a few good stories too. Tour the lighthouse and its museum from May to September.
Don’t forget to have your “passport” stamped by Fenwick Island Lighthouse volunteers if you are a member of the United States Lighthouse Society. Include the Fenwick Island light as one of your stops as you travel to other nearby attractions in the area, such as Fenwick Island State Park, Lewes, Cape Henlopen State Park and Rehoboth Beach.
