Catamount Arts Center | St Johnsbury

Information

Landmark: Catamount Arts Center
City: St Johnsbury
Country: USA Vermont
Continent: North America

Catamount Arts Center, St Johnsbury, USA Vermont, North America

The Fenwick Island Lighthouse is a historic navigational aid located on the easternmost point of Delaware.

This conical tower stands 87 feet tall and is constructed of brick. It is painted white with a black lantern room. The lighthouse exhibits a classic early American architectural style, characterized by its simple, functional design.

Location & Access Logistics

The lighthouse is situated at 100 Lighthouse Road, Fenwick Island, DE 19944. It is approximately 0.5 miles west of the Atlantic Ocean. Access is via Lighthouse Road, which connects to Coastal Highway (DE-1). Parking is available on-site in a designated lot. The nearest public transport is the DART First State bus route 15, which stops at the intersection of Lighthouse Road and Coastal Highway, a 0.2-mile walk from the lighthouse.

Historical & Ecological Origin

Construction of the Fenwick Island Lighthouse was completed in 1859. It was built by the U.S. Lighthouse Board to guide ships along the Delaware coast. The site is a low-lying coastal plain, historically part of the coastal barrier island system.

Key Highlights & Activities

Visitors can climb to the top of the lighthouse during scheduled tour times. The grounds offer opportunities for photography. Educational exhibits detailing the lighthouse's history are present.

Infrastructure & Amenities

Restrooms are available on-site. Limited shade is provided by surrounding trees. Cell phone signal (4G/5G) is generally reliable in the area. No food vendors are located directly at the lighthouse; options are available in the nearby town of Fenwick Island.

Best Time to Visit

For photography, the late afternoon offers favorable lighting conditions. The best months for visiting are from May through October, when weather is typically mild. No tide-specific access requirements exist.

Facts & Legends

The original Fresnel lens for the Fenwick Island Lighthouse was a fourth-order lens. It was replaced in 1960 with a modern acrylic lens. A local anecdote suggests that the lighthouse keeper's cat was instrumental in alerting him to a approaching storm by its unusual behavior.