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Just when it seems like progress is being made in lighthouse preservation we take another step backward. With the removal of Cape Cod's Highland Light from the Doomsday List of endangered lighthouses and Nauset Light about to be removed, we find that we must add yet another lighthouse to the list.
Normally we like to take more time to investigate or visit a threatened lighthouse before it is placed on the Doomsday List. However, because of the large amount of recent letters and photographs from readers, we have decided to add this lighthouse now.
Delaware's fascinating Mispillion Lighthouse appears to be in an advanced deplorable state of disrepair. All of the windows are broken, the foundation is weak, the siding is decaying and falling off and if some emergency repairs are not made soon, it may simply collapse by itself.
Although the lighthouse is reported to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places, as of press time we have not been able to find out who the private owner is, however we believe it is owned by the nearby marina. Hopefully some of our Delaware readers can provide us with more information so we can update this story for the next issue. The lighthouse is located only a few miles from the town of Milford and it is the only surviving wood frame lighthouse on Delaware soil.
The original Mispillion Lighthouse was authorized by Congress on March 3, 1831, with an appropriation of $1500 and was constructed by Winslow Lewis. The land was purchased from Governor Charles Polk. The first keeper of record was one Thomas Clark who was appointed January 6, 1854 at an annual salary of $400.
In 1857, it was recommended that the light be discontinued which finally took place in 1859. Old records indicated that it was taken down and sold to a Mr. W. N. W. Dorsey who rebuilt it on downtown Walnut Street in Milford. We don't know if this original building is still standing. Perhaps one of our readers can find out.
In 1872, Congress voted to re-establish the lighthouse at the mouth of the Mispillion Creek and the lighthouse was lit on June 15, 1873. We have been unable to determine if the light was torn down in 1875 or rebuilt and enlarged at that time. However, most written accounts refer to the current structure as the third Mispillion Lighthouse.
In 1911, the lighthouse was automated and the keeper was removed. However, a local man was hired at $60. per year to live in the house rent free to protect it against vandalism. In 1929, the station was deactivated and the property was sold in 1932 at an auction.
This story appeared in the November 1996 edition of Lighthouse Digest Magazine. For subscription information about the print edition, click here.
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