The Fenwick Island Lighthouse was built 1858 and stands at a height of 87 feet with a focal plane of 90 feet above sea level. The lighthouse was used to guide ships in and out of the Delaware Bay, and is still an active aid to navigation. It currently uses its original third-order Fresnel lens to cast its beam up to fifteen miles out to sea. Its characteristic is four flashes per minute. This lighthouse is famous for standing on the Mason-Dixon line, which was used to separate the North from the South.
The lighthouse is owned by the State of Delaware and is preserved by The Friends of Fenwick Island, who open the lighthouse to the public during the summer months.
While in the area, visit the Fenwick Island Lifesaving Station, located at the southern end of Fenwick Island.
Photo taken December 8, 2002
To visit the Fenwick Island Lighthouse, travel north on Ocean Blvd. until you reach 146th Street West. Make a left onto 146th Street and the lighthouse will be in plain view. The lighthouse lies right in the middle of town and is difficult to photograph due to other buildings being so close to the it.
