Fort Washington, Maryland
Fort Washington, Maryland
The area around Fort Washington had lead a storied history. General George Washington would often visit friends in the area, and personally proposed a fortification there that was eventually to become Fort Warburton, built in 1808. Fort Warburton was destroyed by the British in 1814, during the War of 1812. It was reconstructed in 1824 as Fort Washington.
In 1857, the first light was placed at Fort Washington, and consisted of an 18 1/2 foot cast iron pole, upon which a small light was hoisted at night. Protests from mariners followed, as this arrangement proved inadequate. In February, 1870, prefabricated, frame lighthouse was built to replace the light post. It was fitted with a sixth order Fresnel lens. A 32 foot tall fog bell tower was constructed in 1882. A keeper’s dwelling was added in 1885.
Construction around the fort began to obscure the light from the lighthouse, and in 1900, the Lighthouse Board requested funds to construct an improved light.
The funds were not allocated and in 1901, the bell tower was reinforced to hold the weight of the sixth order lens, the light was moved, and the lighthouse tower was torn down. Some time later, the keeper’s house was removed, as well. The sixth order lens was also replaced by a small red light. over 5 years ago
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