Hog Island Shoal Lighthouse
Near Bristol, RI

History:
Hog Island is a 212-acre island at the entrance to the harbor of Bristol, Rhode Island.

By 1891 a lightship, which had been built in 1846 marking the Hog Island shoal, was in poor condition, and it was decided that a lighthouse would be built to replace it. Congress appropriated $35,000 in 1896, and the lighthouse was built in 1901. The lightship remained nearby until the lighthouse was finished. Just a couple of months before the tower was lighted, the keeper of the Hog Island Shoal Lightship was dismissed for drunkenness.

The old lightship was removed and sold at auction for $360.

A fifth order Fresnel lens was installed in the new lighthouse, exhibiting a white flash. In 1903 the lens was replaced by a fourth order one. The structure has five decks; the second and third decks were the living quarters for the keepers.

In 1995 the Coast Guard performed major repairs on the lighthouse. Damaged railings and other parts were replaced and the exterior was sandblasted and repainted.

Hog Island Shoal Light is now automated and has a modern plastic lens.

Source: New England Lighthouses - A Virtual Guide

Latitude/Longitude: 41.632324,-71.273226

Nearest Address: 29 Baker Rd, Portsmouth, RI

• 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.
• When you get to Bristol Ferry light you'll be able to see Hog Island light off in the distance.

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