Stacy C. Sherwood Community Center | Fairfax

Hooper Island Lighthouse is a caisson lighthouse located in the Chesapeake Bay, off the coast of Hooper Island, Maryland.

Visual Characteristics

The lighthouse consists of a cylindrical cast-iron caisson supporting a circular brick tower. The tower is painted white, with a black lantern room at the apex. The structure stands approximately 75 feet above the water level.

Location & Access Logistics

Hooper Island Lighthouse is situated approximately 3.5 miles offshore from the southern tip of Hooper Island. Access is exclusively by private boat or charter. There is no public ferry service. The nearest mainland access point with boat launch facilities is in Taylors Island, Maryland, approximately 10 miles to the west.

Historical & Ecological Origin

Construction of the lighthouse was completed in 1902. It was built to replace an earlier screw-pile lighthouse that was destroyed by ice. The original purpose was to mark the entrance to the Honga River and provide navigation assistance within the Chesapeake Bay.

Key Highlights & Activities

The primary activity associated with Hooper Island Lighthouse is viewing it from a boat. The structure itself is not open to the public for tours. Photography from the water is a common activity.

Infrastructure & Amenities

The lighthouse is an automated aid to navigation. There are no public amenities such as restrooms, shade structures, or food vendors. Cell phone signal may be intermittent depending on the user's carrier and location on the bay.

Best Time to Visit

The best time for photography is during the golden hours of sunrise and sunset, when the light provides optimal illumination of the structure. Weather conditions in the Chesapeake Bay can be variable; calm seas are preferable for boat access, typically found from late spring through early fall (May to October).

Facts & Legends

During its operational period, the lighthouse keepers reported unusual occurrences, including phantom footsteps and disembodied voices, contributing to local lore about the site being haunted.

Nearby Landmarks

• Taylors Island (10km West)
• Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge (25km Northwest)
• Ocean City Boardwalk (60km East)
• Assateague Island National Seashore (65km Southeast)