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We’ve been writing about the plight of Delaware’s Mispillion Lighthouse since 1995. In fact, the lighthouse has been on our Doomsday List of endangered lighthouses almost from the first month we began publishing.

Over the years the lighthouse, privately owned since 1932, has never been properly maintained as a historic property should be. In more recent times, the property has been plagued by numerous problems including financial ones. This is one more reason that supports our claim that the government should make every attempt to never allow lighthouses to fall into private ownership. When a lighthouse is no longer needed it should be turned over to a local community or non-profit group, that could more often than not, as has been proven time and time again even in remote areas, conduct the necessary steps raising funds to maintain the structure and save it for future generations.

Because the Mispillion Lighthouse and surrounding property was in private ownership, plagued by financial problems, most people felt nothing could or would ever be done to save this historic structure. It would eventually rot away unless someone with “money” came forward. Because of these circumstances, Lighthouse Digest decided two months ago that we would declare, in the August issue, that the Mispillion Lighthouse is the “Most Endangered Lighthouse in the United States.”

Now, in what seems like a last minute miracle, a new group has been formed to make a courageous attempt to save the lighthouse. At press time, the new group, named “Keepers of the Mispillion Light,” may have an ally in a local attorney who plans to purchase the property and then lease it back to the group.

No matter what happens at this point, a group has finally been formed to start the wheels moving, to raise what will surely need to be a large amount of money, to restore and save this vital part of America maritime history. Until some actual stabilization of the lighthouse is complete we will continue to classify the Mispillion Lighthouse as the

“Most Endangered Lighthouse in the United States.”

However, the Keepers of the Mispillion Light will need lots of help. That’s where the American Lighthouse Foundation and Lighthouse Digest come in.

American Lighthouse Foundation Matching Donation for Mispillion

The American Lighthouse Foundation, (ALF), in an effort to assist the Keepers of Mispillion Light, has pledged to match dollar for dollar the first $2500.00 in donations that is sent in by readers of Lighthouse Digest. That means $5,000.00 for the group, which would be good seed money for the necessary expenses to start the fund raising and stabilize the lighthouse. You can help! The American Lighthouse Foundation offer is only valid for short period of time. In fact your donation, mailed now and matched by ALF, can make a real difference in saving the Mispillion Lighthouse!

Please help save the Mispillion Lighthouse and send your contribution today. Show that the readers of Lighthouse Digest care.

Tax-deductible donations, as allowed by law, and matched dollar for dollar up to $2500.00 can be made payable to the American Lighthouse Foundation and sent to:

American Lighthouse Foundation

Mispillion Lighthouse Fund

P. O. Box 889

Wells, Maine 04090

Donations can also be made by Visa or Master Card. Be sure to include you credit card expiration date and name and address of your credit card billing address.

This story appeared in the August 2001 edition of Lighthouse Digest Magazine. For subscription information about the print edition, click here.

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