Assateague Island Lighthouse was first built in 1831. The original light was only 45 feet tall. The tower was too short and the multi lamp/ reflector optic too dim for an efficient aid to navigation. Construction of a new lighthouse was started in 1860, but was soon halted during the Civil War. It resumed in 1865, & was completed in 1867. The oil house was added later.
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The 142 ft. tall tower stands on a 22 ft. high mound of crushed oyster shells, donated by local oystermen. The tower has an unique dumbwaiter system alcoved into the walls. The lift was used for the raising of oil cans to the watch room. A 1st order Fresnel lens and oil powered Argand lamp displayed a beam for 14 nautical miles. The Coast Guard owns the lighthouse.
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