Peeking through the industrial landscape, the Tinicum Range stands as a testament to maritime history. Interstate 95 hustles people across what was once known as Tinicum Island. Many would be surprised to discover its past. It was once the capital of New Sweden.
Back in 1638, Swedish settlers arrived. They bought land from Native Americans along the Delaware River. This became their new home. Johan Printz, the governor, arrived in 1643. He built Printzhof, a spacious residence with a log sauna. Tinicum Island became the capital of New Sweden. This lasted until the Dutch took control in 1655.
The Tinicum Island Range Lights guided ships safely. They were activated on New Years Eve 1880. Joseph H. Preston kept the front light. Benjamin D. Hannold watched over the rear light.
The front range light was an attractive six-room dwelling. It had a tower attached. Lamps shone through two fifth-order range lenses. These lenses produced constant white lights. In 1894, the light changed to two seconds on and one second off. This was done through clockwork machinery. A cylindrical sleeve raised and lowered around the lamps.
The Tinicum Rear Range Light stood on a steel skeletal tower. It was eighty-five feet tall. It was 5/8 of a mile from the front light. A cylindrical tube housed a spiral staircase. It led from a neoclassical iron pavilion to the watchroom. The tower’s supports were arranged in a hexagonal pattern. They were anchored by stone piers sunk 4 1/2 feet in the ground.
The keeper’s dwelling for the rear range stood twenty-three feet north of the tower. Rainwater was collected from the roof. It funneled into a 3,700-gallon cistern in the cellar. An open well beneath the seven-room dwelling provided more water.
Modifications improved the Tinicum Range Lights. The color of the dwelling at the front light changed from drab to white in 1883. This made it more visible. An open lattice-work painted white was added. It had a conical-shaped summit. It acted as an additional daymark. In 1887, a detached frame tower was constructed. The lights were moved to the new tower. An elevated walkway connected the tower to the dwelling. The range lights realigned again in 1908. A new tower was built on a cement pier offshore. An elevated walkway provided access. A 2,000-pound fog bell was suspended from its front face.
As poplar trees grew taller, they obstructed the rear range light. Instead of raising the tower, the trees were trimmed.
In 1890, the rear light was a fixed red light of the 5th order. It was visible for 8.5 nautical miles. The Tinicum Rear Light eventually changed to a fixed white light with a red sector. This marked the turning point between the Schooner Ledge Range. Today, the light is a fixed red light with a strength of 500,000 candlepower.
Clyde Harrison lived at the Tinicum Island Front Range Light. His father, also named Clyde, was the keeper. The refinery next door supplied free electricity. They also provided free oil in the drinking water. An underground leak contaminated the groundwater.
The refinery placed manure around their pipelines in winter. This prevented freezing. Keeper Harrison used the manure for a garden. The dwelling’s tower became a bathroom with a view.
The Tinicum Rear Range Lighthouse automated in 1933. John Birch, the last keeper, stayed on as a custodian until 1945. The residence at the rear range light removed in the 1950s. The Coast Guard used the home on the riverbank for personnel. By the early 1970s, the dwelling was too old. The Coast Guard tore it down due to high renovation costs.
Today, a narrow park leads to the site of the front dwelling. The only evidence of the front range light is the cement pier in the river. Two skeletal towers still serve as range lights.
A sports complex now surrounds the rear range light.
The Tinicum Range continues to guide ships. It bridges the past with the present. It reminds us of early settlements and maritime innovations.