Deepwater Shoals Lighthouse
Location & Light Range
About Deepwater Shoals Lighthouse
Also known as: #Deepwater Shoals
A skeletal tower on a hexagonal platform stands at Deepwater Shoals, located in the James River estuary approximately 1.6 km northwest of Fort Eustis. The current structure was built in 1966, replacing an 1867 lighthouse that was demolished that same year. The station was first established in 1855. Its active service ended in 2017, at which time the U.S. Coast Guard abandoned the platform and installed a post light. The site is open, but the tower remains closed to the public.
Why it matters: The Deepwater Shoals light historically guided vessels through the James River estuary, warning them of the shoals from which it takes its name.
Tower & Structure
- Tower Shape
- skeletal
Structure: A skeletal tower mounted on a hexagonal platform.
Location
- City
- Newport News
- Country
- 🇺🇸United States
- Region
- Virginia
- Sea Region
- James River estuary about 1 mile (1.6 km) northwest of Fort Eustis
- Latitude
- 37.1489°
- Longitude
- -76.6368°
References & Identifiers
- Nearest Port
- Yorktown(9.2 km)
- Admiralty No.
- J1475.9
- USCG No.
- 2-11780
- ARLHS No.
- USA-220
Construction & History
- Year Built
- 1966
Significant events: Station established 1855, original 1867 lighthouse demolished 1966, current skeletal tower built 1966, inactive since 2017, Coast Guard abandoned platform and placed post light in 2017
Visiting
- Open to public
- Site open, tower closed
Nearby Vessels
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