The Hero’s Light: A Stop at Concord Point Lighthouse

Sometimes, the best historic sites are the ones you find by accident.

While driving back to New Jersey from a summer trip through Virginia, a simple stop for dinner in Havre de Grace, Maryland, turned into an unexpected historical adventure. As I drove into the charming waterfront town, I spotted signs for a lighthouse. Being a fan of maritime history, I knew I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to explore, even if it was just a quick detour before getting back on the highway.

What I found was the Concord Point Lighthouse, a small but mighty granite tower with a backstory involving British invaders, a stolen lens, and a local war hero.

The Guardian of the Susquehanna

Standing just 36 feet tall, Concord Point isn’t a towering seacoast light like Barnegat or Absecon. Instead, it serves a specific purpose: warning boaters of the treacherous currents and shoals where the Susquehanna River meets the Chesapeake Bay. It holds the distinction of being the northernmost lighthouse on the Chesapeake Bay.

Built in 1827, the tower is a testament to local craftsmanship.

• The Builder: It was constructed by John Donahoo, a prolific builder responsible for 12 lighthouses in Maryland.
• The Material: The walls are built of Port Deposit granite, a local stone known for its durability. The walls are 31 inches thick at the base and taper to 18 inches at the top, making it a fortress against the elements.

The Defender of Havre de Grace

The most fascinating part of the lighthouse’s history is its very first keeper, John O’Neill.

O’Neill wasn’t just a government employee; he was a local legend. On May 3, 1813, during the War of 1812, British Rear Admiral George Cockburn attacked Havre de Grace. As the town was burned and plundered, and the local militia fled, O’Neill stood his ground. He single-handedly manned a cannon to defend the town against the invading fleet.

He was eventually wounded and captured by the British (though later released, reportedly after his young daughter petitioned the Admiral for his life). As a reward for his extraordinary bravery, he was given a presidential appointment to become the first keeper of the Concord Point Lighthouse in 1827. The position stayed in the O’Neill family for generations.

The Mystery of the Missing Lens

Technology at the lighthouse evolved over time, moving from nine whale oil lamps to a sixth-order Fresnel lens in 1854, and a fifth-order lens in 1891.

The light was automated in 1920 and eventually decommissioned by the Coast Guard in 1975. When the property was transferred to the city, the valuable antique Fresnel lens mysteriously disappeared. The theft was a blow to the site, and there were even calls to demolish the tower.

Thankfully, concerned locals formed the Friends of Concord Point Lighthouse in 1979. They saved the structure, restored the tower in 1981, and eventually secured a replacement lens on loan from the Coast Guard.

From Dance Hall to Museum

Across the street stands the Keeper’s House, which has survived a wild history of its own.

After the last keeper left in 1918, the house was sold privately. By the 1930s, it had been transformed into a restaurant, and later, a bar and dance hall!

In 1988, the state purchased the property to save it. Over the next two decades, modern additions (like the bar) were stripped away to reveal the original 1884 appearance of the home. It survived a major flood during Hurricane Isabel in 2003 and opened to the public in 2005.

The Wooden Walkways: When touring the grounds, you will notice raised wooden walkways. These aren’t just for decoration. The land here is low-lying and prone to flooding. In the 19th century, these elevated paths were essential for the keeper to get from the house to the lighthouse, the privy, and the coal shed without wading through water.

If You Visit

This site is a perfect quick stop for anyone driving along the I-95 corridor.

• Location: 700 Concord Street, Havre de Grace, MD 21078.
• Hours: The lighthouse and Keeper’s House are generally open on weekends from April through October.
• Admission: Free (Donations appreciated).
• Pro Tip: Even if the tower is closed, the park offers beautiful views of the Chesapeake Bay and the Susquehanna River, making it a great spot for a picnic or a sunset walk.

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For More Information

• Concord Point Lighthouse (www.concordpointlighthouse.org)