Cape Henlopen Beacon Light

During the early years, the beacon light was referred to as the Cape Henlopen Lower Light. Later it was called a range and harbor light. Initially the rubble stone tower was about 45 feet high. No dwelling was associated with the beacon as Stephen Pleasonton, the fifth auditor of the Treasury in charge of our system at the time, felt that the service could save on expenses by having the keeper of the main light tend both aids. That decision meant that the keeper had to make at least three 1.5-mile treks through the sand each day: to light up at sunset, to check the wicks during the night, and to extinguish at dawn.