Rhode Island Lighthouses

Sabin Point Lighthouse

Courtesy of the National Archives

In 1872, Sabin Point Lighthouse was built on the East Side of the Providence River just off Sabin Point. The government spent $42,000 to build the two-story granite lighthouse. For a time it was the most expensive single family home in Rhode Island. It was first lighted on November 4, 1872.

In 1916, Charlie Whitford, Sabin Point's third keeper, moved to the light with his wife Anne and their three daughters Eleanor, Myrtle, and Lillian. He had served in the Navy before he went into the lighthouse service. He had served at Orient Point Lighthouse for several years, before coming to Sabin Point.

On September 21, 1938, while Charlie was away from the light, the 1938 Hurricane hit Rhode Island. It forced huge waves up the Providence River. They washed through the lighthouse, destroying all the furniture on the first floor.

Anne almost drowned during the hurricane, while trying to secure equipment on the outside of the lighthouse. She was swept off and washed back onto the light three times.

On April 1, 1943, after 27 years of service at Sabin Point, Charlie retired from the Lighthouse Service. The Coast Guard took over operation of the light. Charlie could have gone into the Coast Guard and stayed at the light, but chose not to.

In 1968 the Rhode Island Division of Harbors and Rivers wanted to widen and deepen the shipping channel in the Providence River. This required the removal of Sabin Point Lighthouse. The lantern room and Fresnel lens were removed before it was demolished. A video from WJAR shows them on a barge after their removal. What happened to them is a mystery. I contacted the U.S. Coast Guard to find out what happened to the Fresnel lens, but they didn't know where it was. There is a possibility that it was thrown away. I hope it's in someone's basement or garage, waiting to be found.



On July 3, 1968, East Providence firefighters set fire to Sabin Point Lighthouse. It was burned by order of the Rhode Island Division of Harbors and Rivers to widen and deepen the shipping channel in the Providence River.

The Lighthouse was replaced by a light on a group of pilings called a dolphin. The new Sabin Point Light was later renamed Sabin Point Light 32A. It was discontinued in 1989 and was renamed Sabin Point Daybeacon SP. A daybeacon is an unlighted fixed structure that marked channels and warn of danger to navigation.

See more of Sabin Point Lighthouse in Rhode Island Lighthouses: A Pictorial History at by R Holmes.