Situated at the southern most tip of Conanicut Island, Beavertail Light (or Newport Light as it was known) was built in September of 1749 and was the site of the third lighthouse to be built in the English Colonies following Boston Harbor Light (1716) and the Brant Point Light on Nantucket (1746).
Conanicut Island had a seafaring history even prior to the establishment of this light, as it was known in the 1600's to be a hiding place for Captain (William) Kidd.
The establishment of this colonial light, guarding Narragansett Bay, was actually funded by a duty imposed on all ships entering Newport Harbor that was established in the year 1731.
Only a few years after the first lighthouse on the site was built, the original tower was lost to a fire and a second lighthouse was built to replace it in 1753.
The foundation of this original tower can still be seen today and is marked by a commemorative plaque, directly 30 yards in front of the present day tower. The foundation of this first tower was exposed/discovered after the Hurricane of 1938 passed through. This foundation can be seen in the picture to the right, on the right edge of the horizon.
What really makes this lighthouse site so historical and special is that Beavertail Light took part in the American Revolution. Very few lights in America can claim this!
In 1779, retreating British troops from Newport set fire to the tower and removed the light from the lighthouse. This action by the British troops was to prevent the beacon from aiding the Colonial Army in navigation and would leave Beavertail Light dark until after the Revolution.
In 1856, the present tower was built to replace the deteriorating second tower which stood for over 100 years. This new lighthouse features a 3rd order Fresnel lens, then a 4th order Fresnel lens in 1907, both subsequently removed.
The first experiments using a fog horn as a navigation tool also took place at Beavertail Light in 1857, and from then on the history of lighthouse fog horn testing was closely tied to Beavertail. Over the next four decades variations of the fog horn testing at the light included air-driven signal powered by horse, steam whistles, hot air engine signals and compressed air signals.
In 1972, Beavertail Light became automated relieving the Beavertail Light Keeper of his duties. Beavertail holds the distinction of being the second to last lighthouse in America to have a light keeper.
In 1983, the Rhode Island Parks Association began restoration on this great light and in cooperation with the Beavertail Lighthouse Museum Association, Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management and the town the light opened for visitors in 1989.
Majesty Score: 3
Beavertail Lighthouse, when considering the structure by itself, has slightly below average majesty. What helps this beacon significantly in its majesty is that it stands on the tip of a rock peninsula and is surrounded by a sloping rock bed. (Please visit the official web site for a sky view of this so you will get a true feel for this landscape).
Also, from an aerial shot you can see where this place got its name as the peninsula takes on a spade shape similar to a beaver's tail.
The only critique of this lighthouse may be that it doesn't have the traditional "lighthouse" look. It is a square brick tower that is 45 ft. tall. This might take some pleasure away from some lighthouse viewers, but the location will definitely bridge the gap.
Water View Score: 5
Beavertail is fortunate enough to have one of the best water views of any lighthouse on the east coast of America! It is spectacular!
To the left of the lighthouse you can see Newport, R.I. and the Castle Hill Light - seemingly buried in its rock formation (see the picture to the right). When you look straight out to your right from the lighthouse, in the far distance, you can see Block Island on a clear day.
The rugged rock shoreline also provides for a great lighthouse excursion! You experience the great sounds of crashing waves all around you as they hit the lighthouse landscape from three sides!
The rock formations around the lighthouse are also know as a great fishing location, especially for stripers. The protruding, arrow-shaped rock formations that point outward from the lighthouse aid fishermen in being able to cast their fishing lines into deep water while standing on land.
It's a definitely a great place to spend some time enjoying this awe inspiring water view!
Preservation Score: 4
This lighthouse and grounds are very well preserved. The grounds lend themselves to a picnic or a leisure stop to take in the water view. You will see many people sitting on the layered rocks and grass areas just enjoying the water breeze and/or the rugged relief of the waves below.
The Beavertail Lighthouse Museum Association (BLMA) does a very commendable job with the maintenance of this site.
Surrounding Area Score: 4
Driving south through Jamestown, as you make your way to Beavertail, you are treated to several waist high rock pile fences and several quaint houses and large homes. These stone fences look like they came out of a Robert Frost poem.
It is a very pretty drive with an occasional water view.
Accessibility Score: 4
The light tower unfortunately is not open for climbing.
The Lighthouse Museum is open weekends early in the summer beginning Memorial Day and running through the middle of June. From the middle of June through Labor Day the museum is open daily. Be aware, there is only a slight window each day that the museum is open - especially early in the season.
The museum features a two room museum and a small gift shop room.
Beacon Score: 3 
Beavertail has an active DCB-24 light that flashes every 6 seconds. There is a lighthouse museum on site that displays a fourth order Fresnel lens (see right) that once was used at the current Beavertail Lighthouse prior to the installing the rotating beacon in 1991.
Overall Score and Overview: 28
The old real estate mantra about "Location, Location, Location..." is absolutely true and makes Beavertail Light a great lighthouse trip!
The lighthouse grounds are nicely elevated and the lighthouse resides so squarely on the tip of the peninsula, it actually gives visitors the impression that a 360 degree view is possible!
Beavertail Light tends not to get the recognition it deserves as a great New England light but visitors will leave with this realization when they experience the awe inspiring water view and realize the amount of American History attached to this light!
Thanks to the BLMA, admission to the grounds is free, donations always welcomed.
Couple a visit to this lighthouse with a visit to Watch Hill Light (a little over an hour away) on the same day for a really great day trip!
Directions: From Route 138 once on Conanicut Island, turn southbound and continue to head south down the peninsula to the very end.
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