Nestled along the waterways of Southern Maryland, two historic lighthouses stand as historic beacons of maritime legacy and navigational prowess. Cove Point Lighthouse enjoys the distinction of being the oldest continuously operating lighthouse on the Chesapeake Bay. The Piney Point Lighthouse sports the nickname of “Lighthouse of Presidents,” due to its proximity to Washington, D.C.
These iconic structures offer a captivating glimpse into the region’s rich history. Serving for more than 100 years as vital aids to navigation, both have witnessed technological upgrades, architectural modifications and the shifting tides of American history. Now open to the public and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, they not only guide ships through the Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay but also illuminate the past for curious visitors.
Piney Point Lighthouse
The U.S. Lighthouse Service built the Piney Point Lighthouse in 1836 on the Potomac River in Maryland; the Coast Guard decommissioned it in 1964. People began referring to it as the “Lighthouse of Presidents,” because of its proximity to Washington D.C. Since its decommissioning, St Mary’s County converted the historic structures into a museum.
The Coast Guard deeded the property to St. Mary’s County in 1980. St Mary’s County began renovations in 1990. The museum features exhibits on the lighthouse itself, the U.S. Coast Guard, the local area and the Black Panther U-1105 German submarine sunk in the Potomac. It also houses the Potomac River Maritime Exhibit, displaying four historic wooden vessels. Visitors can climb the light tower during museum hours.
The museum explains the history of Piney Point, once a swanky summer retreat from Washington DC. A hotel frequented by the rich and famous once stood on its shores. Piney Point provided a nature retreat for Presidents James Monroe, Franklin Pierce and Teddy Roosevelt. Other famous figures such as Henry Clay, John C. Calhoun and Daniel Webster frequently visited Piney Point Hotel, which shut down after a hurricane in 1933. But they weren’t the only ones. We were excited to see famous Golden Age of Hollywood names such as Jean Harlow, Clark Gable, Robert Montgomery, Greta Garbo and Joan Crawford.
Getting there: 44720 Lighthouse Road, Piney Point, MD
Hours: Open daily, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
Website: Piney Point Lighthouse and Historic Park
Cove Point Lighthouse
The oldest continuously operating light on the Chesapeake Bay, the Cove Point Light is located on the west side of Chesapeake Bay in Calvert County, MD. The U.S. Lighthouse Service built Cove Point in 1828, commissioning John Donahoo to design it. The light originally featured Argand lamps, although the Service replaced the Argand lamps with a fifth-order Fresnel lens in 1855 and later a fourth-order lens in 1857.
The grounds received a fog bell in 1837 and eventually a wooden shed in 1902 to house it. Erosion threatened the structure until the Service built a seawall in 1892. The keeper’s house underwent several renovations: it was enlarged and converted into a duplex in 1881, modernized with inside kitchens in 1925, and a separate small house for a third keeper was built in 1950.
The Coast Guard automated the lighthouse in 1986. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. In 2000, the Coast Guard transferred the property to Calvert County. The Calvert Marine Museum now manages the lighthouse, allowing public access during the summer months.
Getting there: 3500 Lighthouse Blvd, Lusby, MD
Hours: The grounds and Visitors Center are open Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday, 1 – 4 p.m., May through September.
Website: Calvert Marine Museum
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Southern Maryland offers a lot to see and do! Check out the articles below to find more great daytrip destinations:
Annmarie Sculpture Garden
Battle Creek Cypress Swamp
Black Swamp Creek Kayaking
Calvert Marine Museum
Calvert Cliffs State Park
Fort Foote
Fort Washington
Historic Port Tobacco Village
Historic London Town
Indian Head Rail Trail
Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary
Linville Manor
Mount Calvert Historic & Archeological Park
Riversdale House
St Clements Island State Park
Thomas Stone National Historic Site