Historic Chesapeake Bay Lighthouse Sold At Auction, Beacon Must Stay In Service

HOOPER ISLAND, MD — A Chesapeake Bay lighthouse was recently sold at auction for nearly $200,000. The site, Hooper Island Lighthouse, went to a private bidder who must keep the navigational beacon in service.

The lighthouse sits about 4 miles west of Middle Hooper Island in the Dorchester County portion of the bay.

Hooper Island Lighthouse was built in 1902 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2002, a press release said. The historical designation means any construction on the site must get pre-approval.

The U.S. General Services Administration transferred ownership to the U.S. Lighthouse Society in 2006, an auction document said. The society also maintains Thomas Point Shoal Light near Annapolis.

The Auction

In 2017, the General Services Administration said it was looking for a new lighthouse owner. The General Services Administration eventually sent the property to auction on behalf of the Lighthouse Society, The Washington Post reported.

Bidding started at $15,000 on Aug. 8. Bidders had to put up a $5,000 registration deposit to show their interest.

The auction did not have any takers until Sept. 7, when the first bidder put up the minimum $15,000. The largest price jump came on Sept. 21 when somebody offered $112,000 to trump the going rate of $39,000.

Another seven bids brought the final sale price to $192,000. The last bid came on Sept. 22.

The auction had five bidders. Two participants accounted for most of the action, submitting 12 of the 15 total bids.

The sale must be finalized within 45 days, The Washington Post said. The government will release the winner's name after that paperwork is signed.

The auction was originally slated to end on Sept. 21, but organizers extended it to Sept. 23.

The Lighthouse

The auction listing said the lighthouse sits in about 18 feet of water, and the foundation extends another 18 feet above the waterline. The light lens itself is perched about 63 feet above the water. The structure is a caisson, or sparkplug, lighthouse with a four-story tower.

The lighthouse is only accessible by boat. There is not a dock nearby, so visitors must tie up to the lighthouse itself and climb a ladder to reach the deck.

The sale only includes the lighthouse. The federal government will retain ownership of the land beneath the structure.

The U.S. Coast Guard will continue to operate the lighthouse after its sale.

The property may have some safety issues.

A 2019 inspection found "hazardous materials such as lead-based paint, asbestos, benzene, and a host of other dangerous compounds." Inspectors advised against housekeeping and interior cleaning because it could disturb the materials.

The report also noted that the lighthouse lacked a secure front door, making it easy for wildlife and vandals to enter.

Inspectors suggested:

• Installing a sign warning trespassers of potential penalties
• Replacing the front door
• Safely removing the rust
• Painting the structure to maintain its advertised white color
• Replacing missing planks on the fourth floor
• Keeping the structure secure from wildlife

The report said the lighthouse was in fair condition, but it was approaching poor quality because of this to-do list.

The lighthouse is also in a U.S. Navy-controlled surface danger area. The buyer must sign a memorandum of agreement with the Navy that governs when access to the lighthouse is prohibited.

More photos of the lighthouse are posted on the auction page.