Drum Point Lighthouse - Solomons MD - U.S. National Register of Historic Places on Waymarking.com

From the National Register of Historic Places Inventory--Nomination Form

"Drum Point Lighthouse
Inventory No.: CT-68
Date Listed: 4/23/1976
Location: 14200 S. Solomons Island Road (Calvert Marine Museum), Solomons, Calvert County
Category: Structure
Period/Date of Construction: mid 19th century
Related Multiple Property Record: Light Stations of the United States.

Significance: The Drum Point Lighthouse is one of four remaining screwpile lighthouses on the Chesapeake Bay. Any lighthouse, and particularly a historic structure, is fast disappearing as navigational equipment due to the modern communications channels and satellite-related aids. The Drum Point Lighthouse and other screwpile lighthouses flourished on the Chesapeake Bay from the second half of the 19th century to the mid 20th century, serving as important navigational aids. Although the Drum Point Lighthouse, constructed in 1883, has escaped demolition, its original light, which required a resident attendant, was automated in 1962. The first screwpile lighthouse on the Chesapeake Bay was erected in 1855 in Virginia waters. In the mid 19th century these practical lighthouses began to replace light ships, which had been the principal navigation aids, on the Bay. The United States Lighthouse Board, a branch of the United States Treasury Department, built the Drum Point Lighthouse on five acres in the mouth of the Patuxent River. The State of Maryland conveyed the property on which the lighthouse stood to the Federal government on February 15, 1883. This transaction followed the provisions of an 1874 Maryland law that provides for the transfer of State property to become Federal property for the purpose of erecting lighthouses and other navigational aids. Alexander Mitchell (1780-1868) invented the screwpile principle. His idea was first used in 1838 at the Malpin Sand Lighthouse at the mouth of the River Thames, England. The principle was later applied to bridges, viaducts, and piers. The screwpile principle is well suited to southern bodies of water and to soft bottoms."

Street address: 14200 Solomons Island Road On the grounds of the Calvert Marine Museum Solomons, MD United States 20688 County / Borough / Parish: Calvert County Year listed: 1973 Historic (Areas of) Significance: Event Periods of significance: 1875-1899 Historic function: Transportation Current function: Recreation And Culture Privately owned?: yes Primary Web Site: [Web Link] Secondary Website 1: [Web Link] Season start / Season finish: Not listed Hours of operation: Not listed Secondary Website 2: Not listed National Historic Landmark Link: Not listed

Visit Instructions:
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Recent Visits/Logs:

Date Logged Log User Rating   10/04/2022 Don.Morfe visited it