History/Info:
Quietly hidden under the northern side of the Mt. Hope Bridge, the Bristol Ferry Lighthouse was commissioned in 1855 to light the narrow passage between Mt. Hope Bay and Narragansett Bay. In 1916, the light's original wooden lantern was upgraded to an iron one that was originally used in lighthouse in the Hudson River. The light was also raised 6 feet from it original height of 28 feet.

In 1927, the light was replaced by an automated light, which was then made obsolete just 3 years later due to the construction of the Mt. Hope Bridge and subsequent discontinuation of the ferry service that connected the East Bay to Aquidneck Island. In 1928, the government removed the lighthouse's light and the property was sold. The light has remained in private hands since that time. It most recently changed hands again in 2000, when it sold for over $400,000.

Source: New England Lighthouses - A Virtual Guide

Latitude/Longitude: 41°38.5'N 71°15.6'W

Directions:  click here for overview map      click here for detail map

• The lighthouse sits under the Mt. Hope Bridge in Bristol.

• From the south take Route 24 to Route 114 and head north over the Mt. Hope bridge.

• From the north take Route 114 south through Bristol.

• Just north of the Mt. Hope bridge turn east onto Old Ferry Rd.

• There are "no parking" signs at the end of Old Ferry Rd at the bridge. There is a Roger Williams University parking lot near the end of the road. It requires a parking permit sticker, however on the weekends the lot is relatively empty so parking there is possible.