Inventory of Historic Light Stations--Virginia--Thimble Shoal Light

Inventory of Historic Light Stations
Virginia Lighthouses

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THIMBLE SHOAL LIGHT

State: VIRGINIA
Location: ENTRANCE TO HAMPTON ROADS
Nearest City: HAMPTON ROADS
County: HAMPTON ROADS
U.S.C.G. District: 5
Year Station Established: 1870

NPS photo by Ralph Eshelman, 1997

Existing Historic Tower:

Year Light First Lit: 1914
Is the Light Operational? YES
Date Deactivated: N/A
Automated: 1964
Foundation Materials: CAST IRON/CONCRETE CAISSON
Construction Materials: CAST IRON
Markings/Patterns: RED TOWER
Shape: CONICAL SPARK PLUG
Relationship to Other Structures: INTEGRAL
Tower Height: 40
Original Optic: FOURTH ORDER
Year Original Lens Installed:
Present Optic: RB 355, SOLAR POWERED
Year Present Lens Installed:
Height of Focal Plane: 55
Fresnel Lens Disposition:
Has tower been moved? NO

Previous Tower(s):

1. Construction Date: 1872
Description: WOODEN COTTAGE ON SCREWPILE
Fate/Disposition: BURNED 1880
2. Construction Date: 1891
Description: NEW COTTAGE ON OLD FOUNDATION
Fate/Disposition: BURNED 1909 AFTER BEING RAMMED

Modern Tower? NO

Existing Sound Signal Building? NO

Fog Signal Type: HORN

Existing Keepers Quarters? YES

Year Constructed: 1914
Number of Stories:
Architectural Style: INTEGRAL SPARK PLUG
Construction Materials: CAST IRON

Other Structures:

Current Use: ACTIVE AID TO NAVIGATION

Owner/Manager: PRIVATE

Open to the Public? NO

National Register Status: LISTED, 2002-12-02
Name of Listing: THIMBLE SHOAL LIGHT STATION (LIGHT STATIONS OF THE UNITED STATES MPS)
On State List/Inventory? YES; Year Listed: 2003

Miscellaneous:
REMAINS OF OLD SCREW PILE FOUNDATION ARE NEXT TO LIGHT; REFURBISHED BY USCG IN 1988. SOLD AT AUCTION IN 2005 UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE NATIONAL HISTORIC LIGHTHOUSE PRESERVATION ACT.

Last Modified: Wed, Dec 28 2005 10:48:02 am EDT
JMP

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