In 1871, the United States government established a light station to mark the underwater L-shaped shoal in the middle of the Hampton Roads shipping lanes. Construction of the caisson-style lighthouse was completed in 1891 and was fitted with a fourth-order Fresnel lens. The tower, manned by its’ keeper and assistant keeper who lived inside the structure, continued to effectively mark the shoal until 1954 when the station was automated. At this time, the Fresnel lens was removed and replaced with a 375mm modern optic, eliminating the job of the keepers.
Today, the lighthouse still stands and is in relatively good condition. The lighthouse still continues to be an active aid to navigation and at this time is owned and maintained by the Coast Guard. There has been some discussion that the station will be declared excess property and be awarded to a qualified applicant under the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act of 2000, who will be given ownership of the structure and be in charge of its overall maintenance. For a closer view of the lighthouse, click here.
Photo taken June 12, 2004
To visit the Newport News Middle Ground Lighthouse, take I-664 north from Portsmouth to Newport News. After exiting the tunnel, take the 25th & 26th St. exit. Then follow the 25th St. exit. When you come to the first traffic light, make a right turn onto Jefferson St. Continue going south on Jefferson St. for about a mile and King-Lincoln Park will be on the left. This view is the best view of the light from land and you will need at lest a 300mm zoom lens to get a good photograph. The lighthouse is best seen from a boat, but the closest "land" view is from the I-664 bridge. However, stopping on the bridge is not allowed.
