Fine Collectible Lighthouses

All About Collectible Lighthouses

Delaware Cape Henlopen Lighthouse

The Delaware Cape Henlopen Lighthouse is one of most iconic lighthouses that ever stood on American soil. Lighthouses create not only a sense of safety, but also a sense of adventure. Being constructed to guide ships safely back to shore as they returned home from adventures at sea makes the lighthouse itself seem to stand for adventure. The lighthouse has always been a structure of beauty and considered majestic.

lighthouse cape henlopen, 2

History of the Delaware Cape Henlopen Lighthouse

The Delaware Cape Henlopen Lighthouse was built in 1767, funded by a chain of lotteries in Philadelphia. It became the sixth lighthouse established in America during the colonial period. The total cost of the Cape Henlopen Lighthouse was 7,674 pounds. The Lighthouse was constructed of stone brought down from the Brandywine River, which is located close to the Pennsylvania border, North of Wilmington Delaware.

Constructed along the Great Dune’s North side, Cape Henlopen Lighthouse’s tower measured 26 feet in diameter and 6 feet at its base. The tower stood at an impressive 69 feet tall and consisted of eight levels with windows placed at each level. Allowing access to the Lantern Room, located at the top of the tower, was a spiral stairway constructed of wood. When the lighthouse was illuminated, its light would be visible from 17 miles away.

After construction, the Delaware Cape Henlopen Lighthouse was primarily used to guide colonial British ships into the port of Philadelphia. However, while in the midst of the Revolutionary War, the lighthouse played its part as a watchtower for British navy vessels.

In the year 1777, the lighthouse’s woodwork was gutted by way of fire after a disagreement between Hedgecock and a party from a British warship. After the Peace Treaty of 1783, the lighthouse was repaired and was once again put to use in 1784. The Lighthouse served as a guiding light for returning American ships as they returned with British treasure acquired during the War of 1812.

Unfortunately, the mighty Atlantic Ocean was constantly reshaping the Cape and caused it to recede; many measures were taken to preserve the lighthouse. However, after many years of beach erosion, all efforts to save the lighthouse were abandoned and on September 20th in the year 1924, the Cape Henlopen Lighthouse was decommissioned and subsequently abandoned. The Delaware Cape Henlopen Lighthouse served faithfully for more than 150 years as a beacon to ships at sea before its decommission.

On April 13, 1926, a powerful northeastern storm caused the Tower to fall and disintegrate. Local tradition states that after the Tower’s collapse many locals were searching the beach for pieces of stone that made up the beautiful lighthouse to take home as a souvenir, or to place in a stone fireplace or chimney.

Lighthouses serve as both a welcoming site to sailors and as a hope to all those who love sailors gone to sea. Lighthouses insure that loved ones  will return home, no matter what the waters are like. The light they project guides countless sea vessels to safety as they return home from their sea voyage. All generally admire lighthouses but perhaps one of the most majestic and admirable lighthouses ever constructed was the Delaware Cape Henlopen Lighthouse.

Lighthouse Collectibles

  • Lighthouse Collectibles Home
  • Harbour Lights Lighthouses
  • Jim Shore Lighthouses
  • Lefton Lighthouses
  • Scaasis Originals Lighthouses
  • Thomas Kinkade Lighthouses
  • Alabama Lighthouses
  • Alaska Lighthouses
  • California Lighthouses
  • Connecticut Lighthouses
  • Delaware Lighthouses
    • Delaware Fenwick Island Lighthouse
    • Delaware Cape Henlopen Lighthouse
  • Florida Lighthouses
  • Georgia Lighthouse
  • Hawaii Lighthouses
  • Illinois Lighthouses
  • Indiana Lighthouses
  • Louisiana Lighthouses
  • Maine Lighthouses
  • Maryland Lighthouses
  • Massachusetts Lighthouses
  • Michigan Lighthouses
  • Minnesota Lighthouses
  • Mississippi Lighthouses
  • Missouri Lighthouses
  • New Hampshire Lighthouses
  • New Jersey Lighthouses
  • New York Lighthouses
  • North Carolina Lighthouses
  • Ohio Lighthouses
  • Oregon Lighthouses
  • Pennsylvania Lighthouses
  • Puerto Rico Lighthouses
  • Rhode Island Lighthouses
  • South Carolina Lighthouses
  • Texas Lighthouses
  • Vermont Lighthouses
  • Virginia Lighthouses
  • Washington Lighthouses
  • Wisconsin Lighthouses
  • Lighthouse Bathroom Décor
  • Lighthouse Bird Feeders
  • Lighthouse Bird Houses
  • Lighthouse Bookends
  • Lighthouse Books
  • Lighthouse Coasters
  • Lighthouse Curtains
  • Lighthouse Decor
  • Lighthouse Fabric
  • Lighthouse Fabric Panels
  • Lighthouse Figurines
  • Lighthouse Kitchen Curtains
  • Lighthouse Lamps
  • Lighthouse Light Sets
  • Lighthouse Lights
  • Lighthouse Night Lights
  • Lighthouse Ornaments
  • Lighthouse Pillows
  • Lighthouse Pillow Fabric.
  • Lighthouse Rugs
  • Lighthouse Shower Curtains
  • Lighthouse Statues
  • Lighthouse Wood Ornaments
  • Beach Decor
  • Brass Lighthouses
  • Light Up Lighthouses
  • Mini Lighthouses
  • Nautical Antiques
  • Nautical Decor
  • Nautical Wall Decor
  • Outdoor Nautical Decor
  • Porcelain Night Light Lighthouses
  • Stained Glass Lighthouses
  • Vintage Lighthouse Lamps
  • Vintage Lighthouse Lights
  • Wood Lighthouses
Home    Privacy Policy    Contact Us    Earnings Disclosure    Sitemap   
Copyright © 2012-2023, Fine Collectible Lighthouses, All Rights Reserved
Fine Collectible Lighthouses
MENU
  • Home
  • Sitemap
  • Scaasis Originals Lighthouses
  • Thomas Kinkade Lighthouses
  • Thomas Kinkade Lighthouse Ornaments
  • Thomas Kinkade Lighthouse Prints & Paintings
  • Thomas Kinkade Lighthouse Tabletop Christmas Tree
  • Thomas Kinkade Lighthouse Tote Bag
  • Alabama Lighthouses
  • Alaska Lighthouses
  • California Lighthouses
  • Connecticut Lighthouses
  • Delaware Lighthouses
  • Florida Lighthouses
  • Florida Egmont Key Lighthouse
  • Florida Cape Florida Lighthouse
  • Georgia Lighthouse
  • Hawaii Lighthouses
  • Illinois Lighthouses
  • Indiana Lighthouses
  • Louisiana Lighthouses
  • Maine Lighthouses
  • Maryland Lighthouses
  • Massachusetts Lighthouses
  • Michigan Lighthouses
  • Minnesota Lighthouses
  • Mississippi Lighthouses
  • Missouri Lighthouses
  • New Hampshire Lighthouses
  • New Jersey Lighthouses
  • New York Lighthouses
  • North Carolina Lighthouses
  • Ohio Lighthouses
  • Oregon Lighthouses
  • Pennsylvania Lighthouses
  • Puerto Rico Lighthouses
  • Rhode Island Lighthouses
  • Jim Shore Lighthouse Figurine
  • Jim Shore Lighthouse Ornament
  • Jim Shore Lighthouse / Coastal Snowman
  • Jim Shore Lighthouse Tapestry Afghan Throw
  • Jim Shore Lighthouse Thimble
  • Lefton Lighthouse Canister Sets & Lefton Lighthouse Cookie Jars
  • Lefton Lighthouse Figurines
  • Lefton Lighthouse Lamps
  • Lefton Lighthouse Plates
  • Lefton Lighthouse Retired
  • Harbour Lights Lighthouse Ornaments
  • Harbour Lights State Lighthouses
  • Home
  • Lighthouse Collectibles
  • Harbour Lights Lighthouses
  • Harbour Lights Anchor Bay Ships
  • Harbour Lights Lighthouses
  • Maine Little River Lighthouse
  • Maine Cape Elizabeth Lighthouse
  • Maryland Baltimore Harbor Lighthouse
  • Alabama Sand Island Lighthouse
  • Alabama Middle Bay Lighthouse
  • Alaska Five Fingers Lighthouse
  • Alaska Eldred Rock Lighthouse
  • California Los Angeles Harbor Lighthouse
  • California Alcatraz Lighthouse
  • Connecticut New London Ledge Lighthouse
  • Connecticut Mystic Seaport Lighthouse
  • Delaware Fenwick Island Lighthouse
  • Delaware Cape Henlopen Lighthouse
  • Florida Key West Lighthouse
  • Florida Cape Canaveral Lighthouse
  • Georgia St. Simons Lighthouse
  • Georgia Tybee Island Lighthouse
  • Hawaii Diamond Head Lighthouse
  • Hawaii Kilauea Lighthouse
  • Illinois Old Michigan City Lighthouse
  • Indiana Michigan City Lighthouse
  • Jim Shore Lighthouses
  • Lefton Lighthouses
  • Louisiana New Canal Lighthouse
  • Massachusetts Boston Harbor Lighthouse
  • Michigan Old Mackinac Lighthouse
  • Minnesota Spit Rock Lighthouse
  • Mississippi Round Island Lighthouse
  • Missouri Mark Twain Hannibal Lighthouse
  • New Hampshire Barnegat Lighthouse
  • New Jersey Brandywine Shoal Lighthouse
  • New York Fire Island Lighthouse
  • North Carolina Cape Lookout Lighthouse
  • Ohio Marblehead Lighthouse
  • Oregon Tillamook Rock Lighthouse
  • Pennsylvania Old Presque Isle Lighthouse
  • Rhode Island Point Judith Lighthouse
  • Scaasis Originals Lighthouses
  • South Carolina Hilton Head Lighthouse
  • Texas Galveston Lighthouse
  • Thomas Kinkade Lighthouses
  • Vermont Colchester Reef Lighthouse
  • Virginia Old Cape Henry Lighthouse
  • Washington Mukilteo Lighthouse
  • Wisconsin Eagle Bluff Lighthouse
  • Jim Shore Lighthouses
  • Jim Shore Lighthouse Angels & Jim Shore Lighthouse Snow Globes
  • Jim Shore Lighthouse Clocks & Wind Chimes
  • Jim Shore Lighthouse Diorama
  • Lefton Lighthouses
  • Lefton Barnegat Lighthouse
  • Lefton Lighthouse Bowls, Lefton Lighthouse Cups, Lefton Lighthouse Mugs, & Lefton Lighthouse Pitchers
  • Lefton Lighthouse Candle Holders
  • Illinois Chicago Harbor Lighthouse
  • Illinois Grosse Point Lighthouse
  • Louisiana Frank’s Island Lighthouse
  • Maryland Thomas Point Lighthouse
  • Massachusetts Race Point Lighthouse
  • Massachusetts Graves Lighthouse
  • Michigan Old Presque Isle Lighthouse
  • Michigan Grand Traverse Lighthouse
  • Minnesota Two Harbors Lighthouse
  • New Hampshire Whaleback Lighthouse
  • New Jersey Barnegat Lighthouse
  • New York Statue of Liberty Lighthouse
  • New York Crown Point Lighthouse
  • North Carolina Cape Hatteras Lighthouse
  • North Carolina Ocracoke Lighthouse
  • Ohio Toledo Harbor Lighthouse
  • Ohio Lorain Lighthouse
  • Oregon Coquille River Lighthouse
  • Oregon Heceta Head Lighthouse
  • Pennsylvania Horseshoe Front Range Lighthouse
  • Rhode Island Bristol Ferry Lighthouse
  • Rhode Island Southeast Block Island Lighthouse
  • Scaasis Lighthouse Figurines
  • Vintage Scaasis Lighthouses
  • South Carolina Morris Island Lighthouse
  • Texas Bolivar Point Lighthouse
  • Texas Port Isabel Lighthouse
  • Thomas Kinkade Lighthouse Figurines
  • Thomas Kinkade Lighthouse Cups and Mugs
  • Vermont Windmill Point Lighthouse
  • Virginia New Cape Henry Lighthouse
  • Washington Admiralty Head Lighthouse
  • Wisconsin Cana Island Lighthouse
  • Wisconsin Wind Point Lighthouse
  • California Battery Point Lighthouse
  • California St. George Reef Lighthouse
  • California Point Pinos Lighthouse
  • Florida St. Augustine Lighthouse
  • Florida St. Johns River Lighthouse (or Florida Mayport Lighthouse)
  • Georgia Sapelo Island Lighthouse
  • Harbour Lights Lighthouse Retired Limited Editions
  • Harbour Lights Little Lights Lighthouse
  • South Carolina Lighthouses
  • Texas Lighthouses
  • Vermont Lighthouses
  • Virginia Lighthouses
  • Washington Lighthouses
  • Wisconsin Lighthouses
  • Lighthouse Bathroom Décor
  • Lighthouse Bird Feeders
  • Lighthouse Bird Houses
  • Lighthouse Bookends
  • Lighthouse Books
  • Lighthouse Coasters
  • Lighthouse Curtains
  • Lighthouse Decor
  • Lighthouse Fabric
  • Lighthouse Fabric Panels
  • Lighthouse Figurines
  • Lighthouse Kitchen Curtains
  • Lighthouse Lamps
  • Lighthouse Light Sets
  • Lighthouse Lights
  • Lighthouse Night Lights
  • Lighthouse Ornaments
  • Lighthouse Pillows
  • Lighthouse Pillow Fabric.
  • Lighthouse Rugs
  • Lighthouse Shower Curtains
  • Lighthouse Statues
  • Lighthouse Wood Ornaments
  • Beach Decor
  • Brass Lighthouses
  • Light Up Lighthouses
  • Mini Lighthouses
  • Nautical Antiques
  • Nautical Decor
  • Nautical Wall Decor
  • Outdoor Nautical Decor
  • Porcelain Night Light Lighthouses
  • Stained Glass Lighthouses
  • Vintage Lighthouse Lamps
  • Vintage Lighthouse Lights
  • Wood Lighthouses