Want to buy a lighthouse? They’re Going Fast!

Is there anything you’ve ever wanted more than to live very close to water, away from other people? As a result of Congress passing the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act in 2000, the GSA has been transferring ownership of lighthouses. Over $10 million has been raised by transferring 150 lighthouses, giving away 80 or so, and auctioning 70 more ^[1]. These lighthouses go to state, federal, or local governments. They even go to charities.

Modernism

The General Services Administration (GSA) is running a program to preserve properties over 100 years old. According to John Kelly of the GSA’s office of real property disposition, modern technology, including GPS, has rendered lighthouses obsolete for navigation. And while the Coast Guard often maintains aids to navigation at or near lighthouses, the structures are often no longer mission critical.

In spite of this, the beacons remain popular tourist attractions and the subject of countless photographers and artists. As part of this program, six lighthouses will be offered free to federal, state, or local governments, nonprofits, educational organizations, and other organizations willing to maintain and preserve them and make them available to the public for educational, recreational, or cultural purposes.

Where Are They?

Two particular lighthouses that are available include Plymouth/Gurnet Light in Massachusetts. The other is Warwick Neck Light, in Warwick, Rhode Island which dates back to 1827. The other lighthouses being offered at no cost are Lynde Point Lighthouse in Old Saybrook, Connecticut; Nobska Lighthouse in Falmouth, Massachusetts; Little Mark Island and Monument in Harpswell, Maine; and Erie Harbor North Pier Lighthouse in Pennsylvania.

According to Kelly, nonprofits are already maintaining some of them, and those agencies can apply to continue doing so.

Upon failure to find a new owner, the lighthouse will go up for auction.