American Lighthouses, 3rd: A Comprehensive Guide to Exploring Our National Coastal Treasures (Lighthouse Series)

For more than two centuries, lighthouses have served the practical purpose of helping sailors find their way through treacherous waters, guiding them home or taking them safely through passages on their way to adventure. These historic towers and houses form a sparkling chain of lights along our coasts, a reminder of the past echoing with adventure and mystery, a lure for travelers looking for a glimpse into a romantic past. Completely revised and updated for its tenth anniversary, American Lighthousesoffers more than just a tour of the beautiful and historic navigational beacons dotting the coasts and lakes of the United States. This fully illustrated, one-of-a-kind handbook describes more than 450 lighthouses, detailing their history and architecture and providing full information on visiting or just viewing them. Included are many "endangered" lights, threatened by erosion or lack of funding, and "ghost lights," which are no longer standing. The authors provide an engaging overview of the history of the lighthouse service, each individual light and its keepers, and surprising facts about the construction and maintenance of the buildings and their massive Fresnel lenses. In addition to directions to each lighthouse, details on access, parking, and visitor hours, advice on the best vantage points for viewing and picture taking, and nearby sites of interest are also included. A celebration of the great American lighthouses, their keepers, their histories, and their ongoing stories For more than two centuries, lighthouses have helped sailors find their way through treacherous waters, guiding them home or taking them safely through passages on their way to adventure. These historic towers and houses form a sparkling chain of lights along our coasts, a reminder of the past echoing with adventure and mystery, a lure for travelers looking for a glimpse into a romantic past. Completely revised and updated, American Lighthouses offers more than just a tour of 450 beautiful and historic navigational beacons dotting the coasts and lakes of the United States. This fully illustrated, one-of-a-kind handbook details their history and architecture and provides full information on visiting or viewing them. Included are many endangered lights, threatened by erosion or lack of funding, as well as “ghost lights,” which are no longer standing. Northeast -- Maine -- New Hampshire -- Vermont -- Massachusetts -- Rhode Island -- Connecticut -- New York -- New Jersey -- Delaware -- Southeast and Gulf -- Maryland -- Virginia -- North Carolina -- South Carolina -- Georgia -- Florida -- Alabama -- Mississippi -- Louisiana -- Texas -- West -- California -- Oregon -- Washington -- Alaska -- Hawaii -- Great Lakes -- New York -- Pennsylvania -- Ohio -- Michigan (Lower Peninsula) -- Indiana -- Illinois -- Wisconsin (Lake Michigan) -- Michigan (Upper Peninsula) -- Wisconsin (Lake Superior) -- Minnesota -- Michigan (Isle Royale).;"This illustrated, one-of-a-kind guidebook describes more than 450 lighthouses, detailing their history and architecture and providing full information on visiting or just viewing them. Included are many "endangered" lights, threatened by erosion or lack of funding, and "ghost lights," which are no longer standing."--Publisher's website.