© 2004 R. Holmes

Location: Entrance to East Passage of Narragansett Bay
1890 - present Lat 41 27 44 N - Long 71 21 47 W

Established: 1890

Lighthouse Constructed: 1890

Automated: 1957

Original Illuminating Apparatus: Fifth Order Fresnel Lens

Current Illuminating Apparatus: 300-mm Lens

Height: 34 feet

Status: Active Aid to Navigation

Light Characteristic: Flashing Red every thirty seconds (1906)
Isophase Red every six seconds (2005)

Range: 11½ miles (1906)
12 miles (2005)

In 1869 an application was made for a lighthouse at Castle Hill in Newport. After examining the area, the Lighthouse Board recommended that a light and a fog signal be built there. The Board requested an appropriation of $18,000 to build it. Congress didn't appropriate the money. The request was renewed the following year and was again denied. The Lighthouse Board didn't renew their request in 1871.

On March 3, 1875, Congress appropriated $10,000 for a fog signal at Castle Hill. A site was chosen, but couldn't be purchased. The property owners had built mansions for summer residences and felt that the fog signal would lower their property values. The Board looked for a new site in the area, but couldn't find a suitable site. After two years of unsuccessfully trying to acquire the site, the Lighthouse Board considered placing a whistle buoy off the point instead. But because of the sheltered character of the position its success was doubtful. The buoy was never placed on the site

In 1886, the Lighthouse Board tried to build the lighthouse again. The following year one of the property owners, Alexander Agassig, sold them the land for the light for $1.00. On October 20, 1887 the bids to build the lighthouse and fog signal were opened. William Wilbur was the low bidder, but this was on the condition he was allowed a right of way to the proposed site. Agassig refused to give them one. It took nearly two years of negotiations before he relented and deeded a .198 acre right of way. Construction started on the light later in the year and was completed in 1890. It was first lighted on May first. A six-room keeper’s dwelling was built on at the nearby Castle Hill Cove.

Castle Hill Light survived the 1938 Hurricane without serious damage. In 1957 the light was automated and its Fresnel lens was replaced with a 300-mm plastic lens. The light is still an active aid to navigation.