In 1806, Thomas Jefferson authorized a presidential act to build a light tower on what is presently known as Watch Hill, a name arising from the many previous watch towers and lanterns that had stood at this location for more than sixty years prior to the act.
Prior to this act, the point was also used as a lookout by the Niantic Indians, by the American colonists during the Revolutionary War and by the British during the French-Indian War.
The Lighthouse, which was built in 1807, lasted until the mid-1850's, when a new lighthouse was built, cradled by a granite sea wall surrounding it to protect the beacon from erosion (see right), which claimed its predecessor.
Watch Hill Light, which sits on Little Narragansett Bay, guards the dangerous waterway location of where Fisher's Island Sound meets Block Island Sound. That treacherous, reef-ridden area of water has claimed many victims.
In 1872, the ship the Metis collided with a schooner and killed over a hundred people as it slowly sunk.
In 1907, a worse fatal naval accident occurred. Another steamer, the Larchmont, also collided with a schooner a few miles off shore in ice waters during a winter blizzard. Nearly 150 people died.
It was arguably one of New England's worse maritime accidents.
Majesty Score: 3
At 45 feet, the tower has average majesty. It is helped somewhat by the lighthouse being jutted out on the piece of land surrounded by the sea on three sides.
Water View Score: 3
The water view is good as you can see Block Island and Fisher's Island off in the distance on a clear day.
Preservation Score: 4
The Lighthouse is preserved well. There is a great lawn that separates the access road from the lighthouse (see photo below) that is well tended to. The light tower and houses are well maintained. Some weathering though can be seen on the houses.
The Watch Hill Lighthouse Keepers Association does a very nice job with this light!
Surrounding Area Score: 4
Watch Hill is one of the best kept secrets in New England. It is a town that you would never know that it is there, and really nice, unless you made the trip!
Watch Hill has historically through the years served as a summer resort for the rich and famous including: Clarke Gable, Douglas Fairbanks Jr., Mary Pickford, Andrew Mellon, Henry Ford, Mary Tyler Moore, David Nevin and President John F. Kennedy.
The strip of Bay Street, the main street of their town, is overlooked from on top of the hills by huge mansions, misnomered cottages, that dot the landscape.
Bay Street features a few small stores, one store has a huge collection of decades old postcards, and the oldest carousel in America (built 1879) where the horses are attached to center of carousel, instead of the floor, giving the riders that flying feeling
Accessibility Score: 4
For the majority of the year, the Watch Hill light tower and buildings are fenced off and although visitors can get real close to the light, they can not touch it.
That being said, this should not deter anyone from visiting. Visitors to the light must park in town, which is a feat in itself if you are not a resident, and walk up a hill to get access to the road that will take you to the lighthouse. There are allowances made for those with disabilities, please contact the town directly.
When you reach this road, Lighthouse Road (a few blocks up on your right), you will see a posted sign on the road welcoming pedestrians to it but prohibiting cars. Visitors descend on this road cutting through many ocean front mansions/cottages until the lighthouse will break into your view.
As mentioned, the lighthouse has a great lawn stetching from the end of the road to the lighthouse. Also the granite sea wall makes for great photo ops.
If you are visiting Watch Hill at a very opportune time, on Tuesdays in July and August, the fences around the light open up, and there is a small museum in the oil house that features the lighthouse's former Fresnel lens.
Afterwards, to the left of the lighthouse, you have access to a rock piled walkway against the sea wall that will allow you to circle the lighthouse on the water side. This will let you have full access to any angle of photograph of the lighthouse you desire. This helps when the sun is setting or rising to get the best shots.
Also, there is a second road about a block further than Lighthouse Road that leads you to a nice beach where, with a good zoom lens, you can get some really great shots of Watch Hill Lighth extended out into the water from the shoreline.
Beacon Score: 3
Currently Watch Hill Light has a 300MM beacon. It rotates between red and white lights every 2.5 seconds. Originally, it featured a 4th order Fresnel lens.
Overall Score and Overview: 26
Watch Hill Light and community make a great day trip for those in New England. You will enjoy the quaint town and marvel at the ocean 'cottages'.
Several other lighthouses are within striking range when at Watch Hill: Beavertail Lighthouse, Stonington Lighthouse and Point Judith Light. Couple this visit with one of these, especially Beavertail, for a great one day get away.
Directions: Turn south onto Watch Hill Road off of Route 1A. Watch Hill Road becomes Everett Avenue. On Wauwinnett Road vere right, then left on Bay St. Park in town and walk up the hill to the light. This Web Site represents the opinions of its owners. Lighthouse Ratings.com'sTM Inc., Scores, Rating Systems,Trademark Logos, Pictures and Individual Content may not be used in any way without the express written consent of the proprietors of this site. ©2002 Lighthouse Ratings.com, Inc. All rights reserved.
