20 Photos Of Old Lighthouses

History March 27, 2025

Lighthouses have long stood as symbols of resilience, guiding sailors through stormy seas and marking safe passages along rugged coastlines. With their towering presence and timeless architecture, these historic beacons offer a glimpse into the past, where each structure holds its own story of endurance and purpose.

Though many have long since been decommissioned or replaced with modern technology, these lighthouses continue to evoke a sense of wonder and admiration, standing proudly against the test of time. Here are 20 photos of old lighthouses.

1. This lighthouse in Iceland takes the cake.

A lone lighthouse perched atop a towering, jagged sea stack surrounded by turbulent waves. In the background, another dark, rocky formation rises from the ocean. The sky is overcast, creating a dramatic, atmospheric scene.
wajid-h-wajid

How do people even get into this lighthouse? A helicopter?

2. This lighthouse was built in 1897.

A weathered lighthouse stands in the middle of the ocean under a clear blue sky. The structure is slightly rusted at the base, with peeling paint on the upper levels. Gentle waves surround the lighthouse.
abigailfrillywho

She is located 2.5 miles offshore. Imagine being the person who worked in this lighthouse in the early 1900s with no way of contacting people for help if something went wrong.

3. This photo was taken after an ice storm in Ontario Canada.

A lighthouse covered in thick layers of ice, resembling intricate frozen waves. The ice captures the warm glow of the setting sun, creating a dramatic scene against the backdrop of a clear sky.
nessy493

I don’t think that light will be working for a while.

4. This is a 1000-year-old Saxon church next to a 2000-year-old Roman lighthouse.

A view of a historic stone church with a large square tower and an adjacent round tower. The buildings feature red brick accents and arched windows. Two people are walking on the path in front. A tree partially frames the left side of the scene.
okforward

I wonder how powerful the lights could be in a 2000-year-old lighthouse.

5. St. Joseph’s Lighthouse, Michigan.

Top image: A lighthouse on a pier being battered by large ocean waves in stormy weather. Bottom image: The same lighthouse and pier covered in thick ice, creating a sculpted, frozen appearance against a clear sky.
raymands

There are actually two lighthouses located here, the other one is just out of frame.

6. The Guilderton Lighthouse in Western Australia.

A tall lighthouse stands silhouetted against a starry night sky, with the Milky Way arcing overhead. The lighthouse beams light into the sky, creating a striking contrast with the dense cluster of stars and deep night colors.
inefekt

She’s shining her light onto the Milky Way.

7. The sheer size of this wave is enough to make anyone avoid working in a lighthouse.

A large wave crashes against a solitary lighthouse amidst a turbulent sea under a dark, cloudy sky. The lighthouse stands firm as water splashes dramatically around it, highlighting the power of the ocean.
fluid-daydreamer

This lighthouse is going through it.

8. He found the lighthouse on the Cape Cod chips bag.

A person holds a bag of Cape Cod Sweet Mesquite Barbeque kettle cooked potato chips in front of a lighthouse on a cloudy day. The bag's design features an image of a lighthouse similar to the one in the background.
baba_taal

I wonder how many people go by that lighthouse having no idea it’s a national treasure.

9. The Fanad Lighthouse in Ireland.

A lighthouse stands on a rocky hill by the turbulent sea at sunset. The sky is filled with dramatic clouds, lit by the warm glow of the setting sun. Waves crash against the rocks, creating a dynamic and picturesque coastal scene.
philipslotte

Now this is a lighthouse I would work at without hesitation.

10. Point Judith Lighthouse, Rhode Island.

A lighthouse with a brick lower section and white upper section stands near a grassy area with additional white buildings and red roofs. The ocean is visible in the background under a cloudy sky.
newenglandlighthouses

The first lighthouse at Point Judith was built in 1810 for just $5,000.

11. Lana Turner running past a lighthouse.

A woman joyfully runs across a grassy field with a lighthouse in the background. She is wearing a light-colored suit and smiling broadly. The sky is clear, and a small building with a flagpole stands nearby.
userdeleted

She’s at the Point Vincent’s Lighthouse on the Palos Verdes Peninsula.

12. Richard Mahler leaving his home in the Fire Island Lighthouse, 1952.

A black and white photo of a child playfully walking on a sandy path in front of a tall lighthouse. The lighthouse is two-toned, with a dark bottom and a light middle section. A building is at the base, and the sky is clear.
truebirch

It would be fun to live in a lighthouse part-time. Full-time is when it can get lonely.

13. This is what the “bulb” looks like inside a lighthouse.

Close-up of a modern LED lighthouse bulb within a glass enclosure. The bulb features stacked, dark fins for heat dissipation and several small LED lights at the center. The outer glass structure is curvilinear, supporting even light distribution.
wonkey_monkey

It’s wild to think that this light can shoot for up to 20 miles.

14. The St. Augustine Lighthouse in Florida.

A lighthouse with a spiral black and white design beams light at night. It is partially obscured by trees, and the sky is overcast. The lighthouse stands tall above a small building at the base.
ok_mycologist_988

When visiting this lighthouse, people can venture to the top.

15. The Svörtuloft Lighthouse.

A solitary yellow lighthouse stands against a clear blue sky. It's situated on a rocky coastline, with a wooden path leading towards it. The ocean is visible in the background.
connection_earth

This bright orange tower was built in 1931 and is 12.8 meters tall.

16. Little Sable Point Lighthouse, Mears MI.

A tall lighthouse stands on a sandy beach with scattered greenery, overlooking a calm, expansive body of water. The sky above is a mix of soft clouds and clear areas, illuminated by the warm glow of sunset.
curious_concentrate

The Little Sable Point Lighthouse was originally named “Petite Pointe Au Sable” and was painted white in 1900 to stand out against the sand dunes.

17. The Boston Light.

A tall, white lighthouse stands against a blue sky with wispy clouds. It's surrounded by smaller white buildings with pitched roofs. The scene is set on a grassy area, giving a sense of calm and openness.
dpbsmith

The Boston Light is currently the only manned lighthouse in the United States.

18. This beautiful lighthouse is located in Maine.

A lonely lighthouse stands on rugged rock formations in the ocean. Waves crash against the rocks under a dramatic sunset sky with scattered clouds. The horizon glows orange, reflecting on the water's surface.
cturn3r

The photographer had to fly a drone out over a mile to capture this photo.

19. Tawas Point Lighthouse.

White lighthouse beside a red-roofed building surrounded by trees. An American flag is near the lighthouse. A road with a yellow directional arrow and pink markers is in the foreground.
nickegriff01

This lighthouse was built in 1853 and was the first permanent structure in the area.

20. The wave is bigger than the lighthouse it’s hitting.

A tall lighthouse stands resilient as massive waves crash against it. The powerful water spray surrounds the structure, creating a dramatic scene against a dark, stormy sky.
m0rris0n_hotel

I just hope no one was standing out on the balcony when this wave crashed.

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