Concord Point Lighthouse in Havre De Grace Maryland

Concord Point Lighthouse in Havre De Grace Maryland has stood at the point where the Susquehanna River meets the Chesapeake Bay ever since 1827. At the time of its construction, the small city around it was developing into an increasingly popular navigational point and it was deemed that a beacon for sailors would be beneficial. A man by the name of John Donahoo built this 35-foot-tall lighthouse near Baltimore, and today it can be an excellent part of a day trip from Baltimore to this small and charming city.

John Donahoo was a master lighthouse designer, and he also built several other lighthouses in Maryland and Virginia. While the Pooles Island Lighthouse in nearby Aberdeen is older, it was decommissioned at an earlier time and eventually fell out of use altogether. Today, the Concord Point Lighthouse is listed as a private aid to navigation, and as such is still operating. In addition to being the oldest continuously operating lighthouse in the state, the Concord Point Havre De Grace Lighthouse is also the northernmost, and thanks to its sturdy design, it has managed to stand the test of time with little issue.

The Concord Point Lighthouse is made out of durable granite, and at its base, the walls are nearly four feet thick. The walls thin out towards the top, and crowning the landmark is a lantern. An iron ship ladder can be used to access the lantern, where you can admire the storm panels and the views of the bay. While the Concord Point Lighthouse is now completely automated, its lantern was lit with whale oil lamps and a series of tin reflectors in the early days.

Havre De Grace is a major Baltimore area boating destination, and the Concord Point Lighthouse can provide a scenic backdrop as you sail or cruise through the waters of the Chesapeake Bay. Should you venture on land, taking a quick tour of the Havre De Grace lighthouse can be a nice excursion, though you will have to make sure that you show up on Saturday or Sunday between the months of April and October. That is when the now decommissioned structure is open to visitors, with the visiting hours being 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Admission to this interesting lighthouse near Baltimore is free, and when you're not inspecting the interior, you can enjoy the small park surrounding it.

The lovely grounds of the Concord Point Lighthouse near Baltimore are open year-round, so there is never a bad time to drop by for a look. Just across the street from this famed Havre De Grace lighthouse is the former lighthouse keeper's home, and you can take a look at it as well while in town. Havre De Grace features some excellent restaurants, so you might make a day of it when coming to see the lighthouse and stop for something to eat.