March 11, 2006

Lighthouse Formally Transferred to the State of Maryland

Welcome to the fifth edition of the Point Lookout Lighthouse Newsletter.

After many long years of intense negotiations, we are thrilled to announce that the official transfer of the Point Lookout Lighthouse to the State of Maryland has been completed!

Some background information on the transfer: On May 22, 2002, the Governor’s Press Office issued a press release stating that the Navy and the state had agreed to trade the Point Lookout Lighthouse and 2 sheds for a parcel of land near the fishing pier.  The historic buoy and coal sheds are behind a security fence because a Navy tracking station tower (which we affectionately refer to as the “golf ball”) is located just south of the coal shed.  The tracking station relocation quickly became an obstacle to the turnover after a new location was identified but hit a snag when artifacts were discovered in the soil.  An archeological study was then undertaken to ensure that the area was appropriate and that no historical treasures would be lost. In addition, an environmental impact study had to be conducted adding still more delays.  Hurricane Isabel further complicated the situation by causing major damage to the land around the lighthouse and creating additional red tape to obtain federal disaster funds. Meanwhile, in the interim period, Congress enacted a new law requiring that land transfers be approved by a floor vote.  The vote was finally brought to the floor on October 28, 2004, and that seemingly insignificant vote put the wheels in motion.  Due to new Maryland laws, the land swap agreement had to be presented to and approved by the Board of Public Works (BPW).  The BPW gave final approval of this agreement on February 15, 2006, clearing the final hurdle for this long overdue transfer.

Based on BPW documents, the agreement calls for a new “golf ball” tower to be built near the current day fishing pier (which used to be the eastern edge of the Civil War Prison Pen).   The replacement structure must be in place no later than December 2007.  Once the “golf ball” near the lighthouse has been dismantled, the two sheds will once again join the lighthouse as an historic grouping.

In an interview in the March 3rd edition of the St. Mary’s Enterprise, Robin Melton, Park Manager at Point Lookout, indicated that the state had originally set aside $450,000 dollars for interior renovations, but due to the long delay in approving the deal, the status of these funds is unknown.  If the funds are no longer available, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will have to find an alternative solution to obtain additional funding.  Ms. Melton indicated that once the interior renovations are completed, she anticipates that the lighthouse will be open more frequently, perhaps one weekend a month in all but the coldest months. Currently, the lighthouse is only open to the public two weekends a year.

The current plan is to restore the lighthouse to its former glory, circa 1927, when the lighthouse was divided into a duplex dwelling for two keepers and expanded to include the present day kitchens and dining rooms on the first floor and the west side bedrooms and bathrooms upstairs. In addition, the coal and buoy sheds will also be restored and available for public tours.

Until the new Navy tracking station is complete, the lighthouse will remain under Navy control and will only be open to the public for the Chesapeake Chapter of the U.S. Lighthouse Society’s Lighthouse Challenge event in mid-September and during the first weekend in November. Be advised that if interior renovations begin prior to either event, the lighthouse may not be open to the public.

Future newsletters will keep you informed of the progress of the turnover and rehabilitation.  We will also update our website as soon as information becomes available.

Noted Author Tours Point Lookout Lighthouse

On February 26, 2006, Laura and Robert served as tour guides for local author Ed Okonowicz.  Mr. Okonowicz has written a collection of books about local folklore including many books of ghost stories in the Delmarva (Delaware, Maryland and Virginia) area, and is currently working on a book about Southern Maryland. David Hill served as the local coordinator and kept us well supplied with hot drinks and Danishes.  Susan Erichsen, of the Saint Mary’s County Historical Society, also joined us for the tour.  The tour commenced with Laura describing her experiences in each room when she lived in the lighthouse.  Robert chimed in with his experiences along with the occasional historical fact to provide a backdrop for the discussion.   As the details unfolded, Mr. Okonowicz listened intently while taking voluminous notes. Mr. Okonowicz left to attend a family event and we ended the day by conducting several EVP and photo sessions in the places that Laura had identified as being active in February 1980 and 1981, when she was living in the lighthouse. After the tour, we were treated to dinner at a local restaurant by David and his wife Betty.  We thoroughly enjoyed the day, although it was a very cold and windy day down at the point!

If any EVPs or unusual pictures were captured, they will be posted to the website.

Author Ed Okoniwicz and his grandson in the North Side Living Room.

From left to right: Jennifer Baker, Betty Hill and David Hill.

Susan Erichsen of the St. Mary's County Historical Society.