Lighthouses of the Delaware Beaches: Stories from the Coast

The Delaware coastline has long been guided by some of the most iconic and resilient lighthouses in the Mid-Atlantic. These historic beacons tell tales of stormy nights, daring rescues, and maritime innovation. Here’s a look at six lighthouses that continue to shape the story of the Delaware Bay and its coastal communities.

Breakwater Lighthouse

Location: Inner breakwater near Lewes, DE
Coordinates: 38.70724, -75.10092

• First lit in 1885, the Breakwater Lighthouse is known for its distinctive “rusty red” color.

• Built to guide ships safely into the Delaware Bay and protect them during storms.

• Served alongside the Harbor of Refuge Lighthouse until the latter took over in 1926.

• Automated after 1926, this lighthouse was later preserved by the Delaware Bay Lighthouse Foundation.

Harbor of Refuge Lighthouse

Location: Outer breakwater, Cape Henlopen, DE
Coordinates: 38.81465, -75.09244

• Originally constructed in 1908, later rebuilt in 1926 due to storm damage.

• Known for its powerful compressed air foghorn and concrete caisson foundation.

• Automated in 1973 and remains active.

• The last lighthouse keeper left the station in 1973, ending a rugged chapter of maritime life.

Cape Henlopen Lighthouse

Location: Formerly stood on a dune in Cape Henlopen
Coordinates: 38.77449, -75.09350

• Completed in 1767, it was one of the tallest and most important early U.S. landmarks.

• Stood approximately 116 feet high and featured eight levels and multiple windows.

• Fell into the sea on April 13, 1926, due to beach erosion and lack of structural support.

• Local legend says pieces of the lighthouse can still be found buried in the sand today.

Fenwick Island Lighthouse

Location: Fenwick Island, DE
Coordinates: 38.45186, -75.05495

• Built in 1858 due to increased shipwrecks along the dangerous Fenwick Shoals.

• An 87-foot brick tower with a third-order Fresnel lens visible for 15 miles.

• Automated in the early 1950s and deactivated in 1978.

• Re-lit and preserved by the Friends of Fenwick Island Lighthouse and the State of Delaware in the 1980s.

Fourteen Foot Bank Lighthouse

Location: Delaware Bay, 12 miles off Bowers Beach
Coordinates: 39.04816, -75.18356

• The first U.S. caisson lighthouse, activated in 1887 after two years of underwater construction.

• Built using then-new pneumatic-caisson methods to stabilize its offshore base.

• Automated in 1972 and once housed environmental monitoring equipment.

• Now privately owned but remembered for the stories of isolated lighthouse keepers enduring long winters at sea.

A Tribute to Our Maritime Legacy

All these lighthouses tell more than just stories of storms and shipwrecks—they mark chapters in Delaware’s long and storied relationship with the sea. Whether still standing, automated, or fallen into the surf, they remain part of the cultural fabric of the Delaware Beaches.

Want to See These in Person?
Many of these lighthouses are visible from land or by boat tour—be sure to check out local charters and historical societies to plan your visit!

Have memories or stories about any of these lighthouses? We’d love to hear from you. Email us at delawarebeachesonline@gmail.com or leave a comment below.