Beavertail, the southern end of Conanicut Island has a long maritime history. Strategically located between the east and west passages of the Narragansett Bay, the first aid to navigation was a lighted beacon tended by local Indians in 1712. As foreign trade increased in Newport, the need for an actual lighthouse became apparent. In 1749 the Beavertail Lighthouse was established as the third lighthouse in the Colonies with a 58 foot wooden tower topped with an 11 foot lantern room. The second lighthouse tower was built of stone and brick in 1754 to replacing the original which had burned down the previous summer.  Ravaged by the British in 1779 and numerous storms and hurricanes, the second tower was reported to be in poor condition by 1851. The existing third tower went into service in 1856. This new 45 foot granite tower was equipped with a third order Fresnel lens exhibiting a fixed white light. A rotating fourth order lens was installed in 1899 exhibiting a group 8 flashing white characteristic.

The station was automated in 1972 although both the 1856 keeper’s and 1898 assistant keeper’s houses remained in use for a short while for housing USCG personnel. The fourth order lens was retired in 1991 and is now on display in the Beavertail Lighthouse Museum located in the Assistant Keeper’s house.  The Beavertail Lighthouse is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a prominent attraction in Rhode Island’s Beavertail State Park. The Lighthouse remains an active aid to navigation maintained by the USCG and had displayed a "white 6 seconds" characteristic until the motor drive slowed down in 2005. At that time the parts were not available to replace the drive so the US Coast Guard issued a Notice to Mariners of the characteristic change and the lighthouse now displays a white flash every 9 seconds from its modern rotating optic.

November 2004 Issue, Beavertail Open House, By Jeremy D'Entremont. "Last July 24, 2004, at least 250 people had the rare opportunity to climb one of Rhode Island's most historic lighthouses. An open house was held thanks to the joint efforts of the Beavertail Lighthouse Museum Association and the U.S. Coast Guard. Please go to the Lighthouse Digest Magazine Archives for the full article. Lighthouse Digest magazine not only keeps the history of our lighthouses alive both in print and on line, but it is the best single source to keep current on all aspects of lighthouse preservation, news and events

The Beavertail Lighthouse grounds are easily accessible in the Beavertail State Park. The tower itself is not currently open to the public and is still owned by the USCG. The Beavertail Lighthouse Museum is open 7 days a week during June, July and August and on weekends during the rest of their season which runs late May to early October. 
Directions: From Rhode Island State Route 138 cross onto Jamestown Island which separates the east and west passages of the Narragansett Bay. Following the signs for Jamestown Center, travel south on Canonicus Avenue. Pass through the business district and turn right onto Narragansett Avenue. Turn left onto Southwest Avenue which becomes Beavertail Road.  Continue south on Beavertail Road into Beavertail State Park.  The lighthouse is at the southern tip of the island and the road loops in front of it.  Parking is available on either side of the loop but not in front of the lighthouse.

Please visit the Beavertail Lighthouse Museum Association website for information on Museum Hours, events and gifts sales that benefit the Beavertail Lighthouse.

Visit The Rhode Island Parks - Beavertail State Park web page for information on visiting the park.

For more photographs and history of the Beavertail Lighthouse, you can visit the:

United States Coast Guard Historians' Official Web Site

Lighthouse Explorer Database

New England Lighthouses - A Virtual Guide

For other area attractions and info, you can visit the:

Jamestown Chamber of Commerce web site