Ever wondered about the silent sentinels that guard our shores? The Jones Point Lighthouse stands as a testament to maritime history. It whispers tales of a bustling past. This lighthouse is one of the last riverine lighthouses in the country. It is the only one still standing in the Chesapeake Bay area.
The Jones Point Lighthouse began its service in 1856. Its purpose was clear: to guide ships safely on the Potomac River. Ships needed to avoid the shifting underwater shoals. Alexandria and Washington D.C. were growing maritime economies. The lighthouse supported this growth.
A fifth-order Fresnel lens sat at the heart of Jones Point Lighthouse. It was advanced technology for the time. Its beam could reach nine miles. Hundreds of vessels depended on this light every day. These included merchant ships, passenger ferries, fishing boats, and naval vessels.
Life at the Jones Point Lighthouse wasn’t always easy. Keepers and attendants ensured the beacon shone 24/7. Appointed by the president, these keepers maintained the building. They also recorded shipping traffic, weather, and tides. Their pay was low. They rarely left their post. Keepers did live in the lighthouse for free. Unmarried keepers found the four rooms spacious. Families, however, often felt cramped. Benjamin Greenwood, the longest-serving keeper, once lived here with his second wife and eleven of his fourteen children.
The lighthouse was a popular spot despite its isolation. Alexandrians would picnic, fish, and swim along the Potomac. The scenic shoreline offered respite from the noisy factories and rail yards of the city.
Change came in 1918. A large shipyard was built at Jones Point for WWI ship construction. The shipyard blocked the lighthouse’s light. This made it less useful. In 1926, an automated light tower replaced the Jones Point Lighthouse. This was to cut costs. The lighthouse was then deeded to the Mount Vernon Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution or DAR. They maintained it as a museum until 1936. The Army Signal Corps then built a classified facility. They closed the lighthouse to the public.
After WWII, the Army returned Jones Point. The lighthouse was in disrepair due to weather, tides, vandalism, and target practice by soldiers. Lacking funds, the DAR partnered with the National Park Service. Together, they established a park. In 1964, Jones Point Park opened.
The exterior of Jones Point Lighthouse has been restored. However, the interior remains unfinished. Vandals even set fire to it in the 1990s. Luckily, the damage was minimal. The young men were caught.
In 2012, the National Park Service invested in maintenance. They restored the stairs, porch, and roof. Further restoration is planned. The park is open to visitors during daylight hours.
While here, search for an original boundary stone. It marks the southern tip of the District of Columbia. It was set on April 15, 1791.
The Jones Point Lighthouse stands as a beacon of history. It reminds us of a time when rivers were vital arteries of commerce. Its stories echo through time. They invite us to reflect on the ever-changing landscape of our nation’s capital.