Beavertail Lighthouse
Jamestown, Rhode Island
Built in 1749
Beavertail Lighthouse Photo Gallery
Location:
In Beavertail State Park at the end of Beavertail Road, at the southern tip of Conanicut Island, Narragansett Bay.
| Latitude: 41° 26' 58" N Longitude: -71° 23' 59" W |
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Historic Stories:
Sadly, the slave commerce as part of the African triangle was an important part of Rhode Island’s economy for around 100 years. By the early 18th century, it was estimated that one in four men living in Rhode Island made their living from the sea.
Beavertail is the third oldest lighthouse in America. It was used in many situations to conduct experiments with new fog signals and lighting equipment.
In 1817, Beavertail was the first lighthouse to be lit by gas; however, opposition from the whale industry (whale oil) caused the government to decide not to use the more efficient energy source.
During the unsuspected tidal wave caused by the unknown hurricane of 1938, New England’s worst hurricane, a school bus carrying Keeper Carl Chellis' son and daughter were heading towards the lighthouse. The bus became swamped by the surge. The bus driver, fearing he and the children would drown if they stayed on the bus, tried to bring the kids to higher ground. He was too late and another storm surge hit and swept all the children away, drowning them all, except only the Keeper's son and the distraught bus driver himself. Keeper Chellis had not only watched the lighthouse become practically destroyed from this destructive storm, but also had to receive the horrible news that his daughter had drowned by the tidal wave sweeping over her school bus.
Over the past few years funds were raised to repaint and restore parts of the lighthouse. In 2009, reconstruction on the lighthouse began.
Note: For stories of famous lighthouse events and folklore, check out the Lighthouse Stories section of this website. There you'll also find info on my book “New England Lighthouses: Famous Shipwrecks, Rescues, and Other Tales” with over 40 detailed stories and 160 accompanying images. Produced by publisher Schiffer Books. In the book you'll find detailed accounts to two different stories of two famous maritime disasters and rescues that occurred nearby, the famous steamship Larchmont disaster, and the sinking of the Metis. Both events helped to create important travel safety precautions we use today. You'll also read about the rescues of lighthouse keeper Ida Lewis, Rhode Island's famous heroine. |
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Places to Visit Nearby:
Beavertail lighthouse is located in Beavertail State Park for picnicking and hiking. Be sure to visit the Beavertail Lighthouse Museum. Other museums in the area include include Watson Farm, a living history museum that offers a glimpse into the way most people lived in Jamestown for three hundred years; the Jamestown Fire Department Memorial Museum collection of antique fire fighting equipment; the Sydney L. Wright Memorial Museum collection of artifacts from ancient and Colonial period Narragansett Indians and Seventeenth Century Europeans found in Jamestown in 1966 and 1967; and the Jamestown Museum collection of ferry system memorabilia, historic photos, maps, and other items that help tell the story of Jamestown's history. There are more than 40 museums located within 40 minutes of Jamestown.
Jamestown is a quaint island community connected by bridges from the Newport area to Conanicut Island. Fort Wetherill State Park is situated on top of 100 foot high granite cliffs for a spectacular view of Narragansett Bay. Charter fishing is available at the Dutch harbor Boat Yard.
It is an area filled with history, 18th and 19th century architecture, and hosts many community events. There are a host of parks with trails and small wildlife refuges for birding for visitors to relax and enjoy.
Nearby, Newport is connected by bridges for tourists to visit and explore while they’re in the area. Visit some of the famous elaborate mansions of the most powerful people that shaped America’s 19th and 20th centuries, and its numerous parks and museums.
Directions:
You can also view the lighthouse from the water. The best view of this lighthouse is at the park itself:
- Take Route 138 eastbound from North Kingston over the Jamestown Bridge, or from Newport, cross the Newport Bridge.
- Follow signs on Route 138 to Jamestown center. Look for Fort Gerry/Beavertail sign and follow along a few miles of stonewalls.
- Keep heading south past Mackerel Cove Town Beach to Beavertail State Park at the tip of Conanicut Island.
View Beavertail Lighthouse in a larger map
Contact Info:
Beavertail Lighthouse Museum Association
P.O. Box 83
Jamestown, RI 02835
Phone: (401) 423-3270
Local Boat Tours
Boat cruises mentioned below offer many types of cruises. While some may offer specific lighthouse cruises, some will pass by specific lighthouses as part of charters, narrated wildlife and historic tours, ferrying passengers, whale watching, fishing tours and other types of excursions. Contact info is provided to help you plan your special trips to New England’s shorelines. Enjoy!
Rhode Island Bay Cruises
Offers weekly lighthouse tours in season.
347 Roger Williams Way
North Kingstown, RI 02852
(401) 295-4040
info@rhodeislandbaycruises.com
Snappa Charters
Offers specific lighthouse tours around Narragansett Bay and to Block Island in addition to other adventure tours.
(401) 782-4040
22 Colvintown Rd.
Coventry, RI 02816
Home (401) 821-7373
Boat/Cell (401) 487-9044
Email:snappacharters@cox.net
Flaherty Charters
Special lighthouse tour includes picnic lunch by Rose Island Lighthouse.
P.O. Box 4633
Middletown, RI 02842
Phone: 401.848.5554
E-Mail: capt.tim@flahertycharters.com