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Northern Coast Lighthouses
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Chronology

How northern coast lighthouse history changed over time

A concise timeline from first coastal guidance to the preservation work that protects surviving towers today.

  1. c. 1780s

    Early coastal beacons

    Fixed lamps and fire baskets began marking dangerous shoals near harbor entries.

  2. 1830s

    Tower construction expands

    Masonry lighthouses were built in sequence to standardize coverage along the coast.

  3. 1890s

    Keeper networks mature

    Resident keepers coordinated weather logs, lamp routines, and rescue signaling practices.

  4. 1930s

    Automation begins

    Electric and fuel-based systems reduced manual night watches at many stations.

  5. 1970s–present

    Preservation era

    Heritage groups restored lantern rooms, stabilized towers, and opened public archives.