The southern entrance to the Delaware Bay is home to Cape Henlopen, which was once a major obstacle to navigation. Cape Henlopen was once home to the Cape Henlopen Light, which was destroyed in 1926 due to terrible storms and erosion. Around the cape, a series of stone breakwaters were constructed to provide safe harbor for passing mariners. On these breakwaters, called the "Harbor of Refuge," two lighthouses were built to help guide ships into and out of the harbor. These lighthouses are the Harbor of Refuge Light and the Delaware Breakwater Light.
In I885, the Delaware Breakwater Light was strategically built so that it would be visible to mariners from the Delaware Bay and the ocean. The lighthouse was constructed on the inner breakwater, and sits on top of a concrete caisson, which provides a solid foundation. The tower is conical in shape and stands 49 feet in
Photo taken April 20, 2003
To visit the Delaware Breakwater Lighthouse, take US Hwy. 113 N. Make a right onto Hwy. 24 east. Then turn left onto DE 1/Coastal Hwy N. Make a right onto Kings Hwy/268. Stay straight on Theodore C. Freeman Memorial Hwy. (Hwy 9 E) till you come to Cape Henlopen Dr. Make a right onto Cape Henlopen Drive and follow signs to the Cape Henlopen State Park entrance. Entrance to the park is $2.50 for instate, $5.00 out-of-state during May 1st to October 31st. Follow signs to the beach to view the lighthouse.
Made of bricks which have been surrounded by steel plates, the lighthouse is quite capable of standing up to the strong hurricanes and nor'easters that often make their way up the Atlantic coast. At the time of construction, a fourth-order Fresnel lens was installed in the lighthouse, but in 1973, the lens was removed when the lighthouse was deactivated in 1996.
The lighthouse is located just off shore and is best visible from the Cape Henlopen State Park. Visitors to the park will find that it also offers an enjoyable place to walk along the beach, to fish, collect shells, and have a picnic. There are several WWII observation towers located in the park, and some are open to the public to climb, allowing a wonderful view of the ocean, the Delaware Bay, and the park. While in the park, don't forget to look for the Harbor of Refuge light, and be sure to visit the Lightship Overfalls in Lewes.
