The Mispillion River Lighthouse is the 3rd beacon to be built along the mouth of the river. The original beacon was established in 1831, built by Winslow Lewis. The first keeper of record was Thomas Clark in 1854, at an annual salary of $400. It is unclear when the 2nd light was built (probably in the 1840s), but the light was discontinued in 1859. Congress voted to re-establish a beacon at the river mouth in 1872, and the light was completed in 1873.
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In 1911 the keeper was removed. A caretaker lived in the quarters until 1929, when the light was deactivated and replaced by a 60-foot metal tower. In 1932 the government sold the lighthouse property and it has remained in private hands. The light was severely neglected until nature finally finished it off. In May 2002, lightning struck the light and the resulting fire gutted the structure. It was subsequently torn down. Another beauty lost forever!
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