Lost Lighthouses

Lighthouses embody the American spirit. They remind us of the brave mariners who scanned the dark horizon in search of beacons and the determination of those who kept their lights burning bright. Over the last three centuries more than 1,600 lighthouses were built to mark America's Atlantic, Gulf, Pacific, and Great Lake shores. Today, more than half of them are gone. Some were bowled over by storms, others were blasted by cannonballs, and still others were replaced by more modern navigational facilities. Many of these majestic towers simply grew old, crumbled, and collapsed. When a light tower falls, an important link to our past is broken and a chapter of the American story is forgotten. That is, unless we take care to remember. This tribute to once bright lights provides rare photographs, fascinating facts, and first-hand accounts of the rise and fall of nearly 150 of America's most historic lost light towers. (8 1/2 x 11', 176 pages, b&w photos)


Destroyed by storms, eaten away by erosion, or simply torn down to make way for the future, almost 1,000 of America's lighthouses have had their beacons snuffed out. But these venerable structures live on in the memories of mariners, coastal natives, and lighthouse aficionados.

Through dramatic photos from the collection of Lighthouse Digest editor Tim Harrison and the storytelling flair of respected author Ray Jones, "Lost Lighthouses" celebrates 180 of these beloved phantom towers, with stories from their "lives" and accounts of their destruction. Victims of war, government decisions, or the forces of nature, these lights are presented geographically and represent all of America's coastal regions. Authoritative, engaging, and illustrated with rare images, this book will make a welcome addition to the library of any lighthouse lover or history buff.