Brant Point Lighthouse - Replica

Located on the museum grounds at Mystic Seaport, CT is a full scale replica of the 1901 Brant Point Lighthouse on Nantucket. The replica was built in 1966 and is the lowest lighthouse to sea level in New England as its light is only 26 feet above sea level. Like the original light on Nantucket, this replica also contains a fourth-order Fresnel lens. The lighthouse replica is a private aid to navigation on the Mystic River.

The fourth-order Fresnel lens can be seen in my photo below. However, only the lantern and lens of the lighthouse are visible . At the time of my visit there, the museum was closed so I was unable to capture a full picture of the lighthouse.

To view the entire lighthouse, I invite you to click on the link titled “Mystic Seaport Lighthouse” at the bottom of this blog page. There, you will be able to enjoy a video prepared by Mystic Seaport and learn more about this lighthouse and its surroundings.

From Navigational Aid To Bed-And-Breakfast

Built in 1922, the Cape d' Or Lighthouse is located at Advocate Harbor, Nova Scotia, Canada. It is situated on a rocky projection of land extending into the Minas Channel with sheer cliffs rising 500 feet behind it. This lighthouse is located in one of the most spectacular spots in the province. The light was operational and manned from 1922 until 1989 at which time it was deactivated.

This lighthouse now serves as a restaurant and bed-and-breakfast. At the time of my visit, visitors could walk down to the lighthouse, or enjoy the hiking trails along the cliff edge above the light station. The water just beyond the lighthouse, known as the Dory Rips, is almost always turbulent here where the violent currents of the Minas Basin meet the Bay of Fundy.

More Suited To The Name Square Lighthouse

A few weeks ago, I titled a blog post “A Unique Square Lighthouse.”  The bottom half of that lighthouse was square but the top of the tower was round. At the time of the posting, I didn’t realize how inaccurate the title until conversing with a friend about the post.

The lighthouse I’m featuring in this post is more suited to the name square lighthouse. Although it is not square like twelve by twelve, the entire tower of the Frankfort Lighthouse is square shaped as opposed to round like most lighthouse towers. 

The Frankfort North Breakwater Lighthouse is located on Lake Michigan at Frankfort, MI. The original lighthouse, made of wood, was built in 1873 at the south pier. This lighthouse, built in 1932, stands 67 feet high and made of steel. It is one of the newer lighthouses on Lake MI. Its lantern room houses a fourth order Fresnel lens which can be seen for 12 miles out on the lake during clear weather.

Possibly The Oldest First-order Lens In A Florida Lighthouse

  Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse is located on an inlet of the same name in FL. Construction started but was delayed for two years due to a third Seminole War. This conflict was resolved in 1858 but one year later the Civil War broke out and created another delay in construction. Finally, this 108-feet high conical brick tower was completed and the light began operation on Jul 10, 1860. The tower sits on a bed of oyster shells at the top of a slight rise overlooking the ocean. This beautiful red tower, designed by George Meade, contains 105-steps leading up its spiral stairway to the lantern room. The tower is topped with its original first-order Fresnel lens and is possibly the oldest said lens in a FL lighthouse. Although very visible in the picture above, if you click on the enlarged picture below, the lens should be more visible inside the lantern. The first-order Fresnel lens, largest of the different orders, is an amazing work of engineering, and this one continues to provide navigational aid to mariners around the Jupiter Inlet of Florida.