Cape Henlopen Light

Infobox Lighthouse


caption =
location = Cape Henlopen, Delaware
coordinates =
yearbuilt = 1767
yearlit = 1769
automated =
yeardeactivated = 1924; tower collapsed due to erosion in 1926
foundation =
construction =
shape =
elevation =
height = 69 ft
currentlens =
lens = First order Fresnel lens
intensity =
range =
characteristic = Flashing white with red sector

Cape Henlopen Light was a lighthouse in Delaware,
United States, on the north side of the Great Dune on Cape Henlopen, Delaware. It was the sixth lighthouse built in the colonies.

History

Cape Henlopen Lighthouse was completed in 1767 and was built on the north side of the Great Dune to obtain additional height. In 1777, the lighthouse was almost completely burned down by the British. The wardens repaired the damage and it was relighted in 1784. In 1897 the sand dune surrounding the tower was reported to be steadily blowing away at a rate of 3 to 5 feet a year. In 1905 several tons of brush were placed about the tower and oil house to prevent the foundations and brick walls from being undermined by the drifting away of the sand. All measures to protect the tower failed, and in 1926 a storm undermined the tower and caused it to fall seaward.

Another light also once stood on Cape Henlopen. In 1824, the Cape Henlopen Beacon was constructed on a 45-foot tower about a mile north of the Cape Henlopen Lighthouse. There is no record of what happened to the Beacon.

In popular culture

The painting "First Light", by Lewes, Delaware native artist Abraxas, depicts dawn on the last night of operation of the old Cape Henlopen Lighthouse. This is the companion painting to the artist's other great work, "Look Out", which depicts the World War II-era watchtowers that now are found on the Great Dune in the same location where the lighthouse once stood. Prints of "First Light" are considered rare.