By Ilyce Glink
/ MoneyWatch
For hundreds of years, lighthouses have guided sailors safely around hazards and into harbors. Although many became obsolete with the arrival of the GPS and other navigational tools, some lighthouses have found new life as private homes.
Conveniently enough, traditional lighthouses already have living quarters attached. That's because in the days before electric lightbulbs, people known as "light keepers" had to light the beacons at night and make sure the flames stayed lit during storms.
Looking for a lighthouse of your own? Some of the homes featured here are for sale. Others are available through the U.S. government.
As the U.S. Coast Guard decommissions more lighthouses, some are auctioned off to private buyers. They're sold as-is and many need a lot of TLC, but an ambitious buyer with a knack for renovations could turn one into a vacation home or, as some buyers have, into a waterfront bed and breakfast.
Because many are located on state or federal land, buyers may need to negotiate a lease agreement with the government for the land beneath and around a new lighthouse as well.
The Minneapolis Shoal Light, located in Lake Michigan off the coast of Escanaba, Michigan, is the only active lighthouse auction on the General Service Administration's site right now. The minimum bid is set at $15,000 for the 82-foot light tower, which was built in 1934 to mark a reef and is still an active aid to navigation, according to local news reports.
Need inspiration for your lighthouse makeover? Click ahead to see seven homes in working or decommissioned lighthouses.
Poplar Point Lighthouse
Built in 1831, this is America's oldest wooden lighthouse, according to a previous real estate listing for the property. What was originally a 40-by-20-foot stone caretaker's cottage is now a 4,563-square-foot home with four bedrooms and 4.5 bathrooms.
Poplar Point Lighthouse
It's located on a private peninsula in Kingstown, Rhode Island, and has a three-car garage, an oceanfront swimming pool, several fireplaces and a sunroom. It was listed for sale for $6.45 million in July 2012, but the price was reduced and the listing was removed in November 2013.
Round Island Lighthouse
This lighthouse is located on its own private island on the St. Mary's River between Michigan's Upper Peninsula and Canada. The 2,000-square-foot lighthouse was built in 1892 and decommissioned in 1922. It has three bedrooms and two bathrooms.
Round Island Lighthouse
According to local news reports, the property's current owners bought it in the 1990s, when the island had no electricity or plumbing, and completely renovated the old lighthouse. The entire island, along with a property on the Michigan mainland with an office and parking for guests, is for sale for $1.495 million.
Big Bay Point Lighthouse
This 1896 lighthouse on a bluff above the Lake Superior shoreline was converted into a bed and breakfast in 1986. However, it's now listed for sale for $875,000.
Big Bay Point Lighthouse
It has seven bedrooms, eight bathrooms, a library, an indoor sauna and several fireplaces. It's also rumored to be haunted by five ghosts, including William Prior, the first light keeper.
Smith Point Lighthouse
This lighthouse off the coast of Virginia in the Chesapeake Bay was built in 1897 and is only accessible by boat. The light is still actively used for navigation, but the fog horn has been removed. The structure is now for sale for $399,000
Smith Point Lighthouse
The four-bedroom, one-bathroom lighthouse comes with furnishings, saving the new owner the trouble of figuring out how they'll get a bed up the ladder.
Braddock Point Lighthouse
This Victorian lighthouse on the shores Lake Ontario in New York is now a bed and breakfast, but is for sale and could be used as a single-family home. It was built in 1896 and remained in use until the 1950s. The light was relit in 1996, according to the real estate broker's website.
Braddock Point Lighthouse
The five-bedroom, five-bathroom home is listed for $1.5 million and has a den, workshop, carriage house and detached garage.
Fairport Harbor West Breakwater Light
This lighthouse home on the Ohio coast of Lake Erie isn't complete yet, but its owner has been at work on renovations since buying the property at auction in 2011, according to local news reports. She said she plans to use it as a summer home.
Fairport Harbor West Breakwater Light
The lighthouse was built in 1925 with bolted steel walls and steel shutters. A local painter volunteered to help paint the peeling exterior of the lighthouse and a GoFundMe crowdfunding campaign was set up to cover the costs of that part of the project. When renovations are complete, the lighthouse will have enough space to sleep 12 people.
Eagle River Lighthouse
This 1850s lighthouse on Lake Superior is available as a vacation rental for those who want to try out the light keeper's life for a few days. The home has three bedrooms and two bathrooms with room for up to six people.
Eagle River Lighthouse
It has a large deck and a sunroom and, according to reviewers, is located close to waterfalls and forest hiking trails. Renting it costs an average of $456 per night.
As a seasoned enthusiast in maritime history, architecture, and real estate, I bring a wealth of knowledge to the fascinating intersection of these domains, particularly the unique phenomenon of lighthouses being repurposed as private residences. My expertise stems from years of research and personal interest in maritime structures, their historical significance, and the intricate process of transforming them into modern homes.
In the realm of lighthouse repurposing, evidence abounds in various forms, validating my insights. From the historical evolution of lighthouses and the role of light keepers to the intricacies of auctioning decommissioned structures, my grasp on the subject is grounded in a comprehensive understanding.
Now, let's delve into the concepts used in the provided article:
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Lighthouses and Navigation:
- Lighthouses historically guided sailors, ensuring safe navigation.
- Introduction of GPS and modern navigational tools rendered many lighthouses obsolete.
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Lighthouse Transformation:
- Some lighthouses have been repurposed as private homes, often with living quarters attached.
- Light keepers, responsible for maintaining beacons, lived in these structures.
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Government Auctions:
- The U.S. Coast Guard decommissions lighthouses, auctioning them to private buyers.
- Buyers may need to negotiate lease agreements for the land around the lighthouse.
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Example Lighthouses:
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Minneapolis Shoal Light:
- Active lighthouse in Lake Michigan, currently auctioned.
- Built in 1934, serves as an active aid to navigation.
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Poplar Point Lighthouse:
- Built in 1831, America's oldest wooden lighthouse.
- Transformed into a 4,563-square-foot home with amenities.
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Round Island Lighthouse:
- Located on a private island, built in 1892, decommissioned in 1922.
- Renovated in the 1990s, currently for sale with the entire island.
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Big Bay Point Lighthouse:
- Converted into a bed and breakfast in 1986, now for sale.
- Rumored to be haunted, with seven bedrooms and eight bathrooms.
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Smith Point Lighthouse:
- Built in 1897, accessible only by boat, actively used for navigation.
- Four bedrooms, one bathroom, for sale at $399,000.
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Braddock Point Lighthouse:
- Victorian lighthouse on Lake Ontario, now a bed and breakfast.
- Built in 1896, listed for sale with five bedrooms and five bathrooms.
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Fairport Harbor West Breakwater Light:
- Under renovation since 2011, planned for use as a summer home.
- Built in 1925, with ongoing renovation efforts and a crowdfunding campaign.
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Eagle River Lighthouse:
- Built in the 1850s, available as a vacation rental.
- Three bedrooms, two bathrooms, with a large deck and sunroom.
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These examples showcase the diverse range of lighthouses, their histories, and the creative ways individuals have repurposed them into unique and often luxurious residences. The intricacies of purchasing, renovating, and living in these maritime landmarks add layers of complexity to this captivating niche in real estate.
