Dating to the early 1700s in what is now the United States, lighthouses encapsulate centuries of maritime history while also evoking a sense of mystery and solitude. Often situated on remote islands and rocky shores and maintained by only a handful of people at a time, they lend themselves well to atmospheric tales about the solitary lighthouse keepers who tended their lights and the mariners who relied on them for safe passage.

In July, we asked readers of the National Trust’s weekly email newsletter to share their favorite historic lighthouse. We received great responses from readers across the country, a sampling of which we share below.

What is your favorite historic lighthouse?

What is your favorite historic lighthouse? (Continued)

Bonus points for any great stories or memories to share.

“My favorite lighthouse is the Hudson Athens lighthouse built in 1874. I was acquainted with the daughter of the last keeper to live on the light. She had to row herself and her brothers to school fighting the strong current of the Hudson River.” - Michele T.

“The first lighthouse I ever saw and climbed will always hold a special place in my heart and that's the St. Simons Island Lighthouse in Georgia. It started a lifelong obsession with lighthouses and anything to do with them. The one I absolutely fell in love with when I finally got to see it in person is the Sapelo Island Light. It was a hazardous and hot climb for such a little thing in the July heat but it's well worth it if you get the chance to do so!” - Valerie S.

"My favorite historic lighthouse is the Highland Light in North Truro, Cape Cod, Massachusetts. It is Cape Cod's first lighthouse and is located in Cape Cod National Seashore next to Highlands Links Golf Course, where I have played golf many times as a visitor to Cape Cod. The lighthouse was moved back from the eroding bluffs overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and is still a functioning lighthouse open to visitors who want to see how a lighthouse functions, while seeing a spectacular view of the ocean.” - Jonathan K.

“I love lighthouses and have been to many, but Ol’ Barney, the Barnegat Lighthouse on Long Beach Island in New Jersey, will always be my favorite. It sits at the northern tip of the island and has been guiding boats through the treacherous Barnegat Inlet since 1859. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.” - Lynne R.

“In response to your question below regarding favorite lighthouses, please don't overlook the Thomas Point Lighthouse, a beautiful screw-pile lighthouse, on the Chesapeake Bay, the only remaining screw-pile lighthouse in the US still standing in its original offshore location which is proposed to be included in the proposed Chesapeake National Recreation Area, with a bill having passed the Senate unanimously in the last Congress.” - Howard M.

“[1833 Buffalo Main Light] was saved by and is maintained by the Buffalo Lighthouse Association, a group of very dedicated and very knowledgeable volunteers, in one of Buffalo’s earliest and most significant historic preservation ‘saves.’ It is not only an exceptionally well-proportioned and handsome sculptural structure, the 1833 Buffalo Main Light is associated with the Erie Canal and Erie Barge Canal, a National Historic Landmark to honor its monumental role in American commerce and engineering. Further, it was a beacon of hope, like the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor, for the millions of immigrants, migrants, and refugees who passed through Buffalo during the 19th and 20th centuries as well as freedom seekers crossing the Niagara River to Fort Erie, Ontario, Canada. It appears on the seal of the City of Buffalo to honor Buffalo’s past, yet it presages the future too, as it was the spark that ignited what is known as Canalside, Buffalo’s waterfront front porch as it the city regenerates in the 21st century where it began more than 220 years ago.” - Clinton B.

“I suggest Heceta Head Lighthouse. The 1893-1894 lighthouse is the perfect combination of beauty and function, and has a magnificent setting. Though the light is currently turned off due to needed repairs, seeing the exterior during daylight is still very interesting. The relative isolation of the site really emphasizes why lightkeepers had to be particularly resourceful, and the great potential for loneliness in their lives. Bonus: The historic lightkeeper’s cottage provides a rare opportunity to imagine the lives of lightkeepers, and, in this case, also stay overnight as it is operated as a bed and breakfast.” - Holly C.