In 1880, $20,000 was appropriated for the establishment of a second light near the Delaware Breakwater to serve as a rear range light for the Delaware Breakwater (West End) light. A site was selected two miles northwest of Lewes, DE. The black iron framework tower first displayed its light (a third-order Fresnel lens) on November 1, 1881. The keeper's residence was completed the same year. The light was listed as 100 feet tall from base to focal plane. Locally, the light was known as the Green Hill Light, as it sat on somewhat raised ground amongst a group of trees.

Change took place gradually at the rear range. The light was changed from red to white in 1884 to prevent interference with the red panel at Cape Henlopen. A dark panel was added around 1888 to mark an area called "The Shears". An oil house and iron hand rail was added by 1898. A concrete assistant keeper's dwelling was built in 1910.

In 1918, the range light was discontinued. The original keeper's dwelling had already been sold and removed, where it housed people tending nearby chicken houses. The old house was finally removed in 1970. The concrete dwelling remained in use by the Lewes Lighthouse Depot, and its ruins still existed on the site as of the late 1990's.

The lighthouse itself was disassembled, but did not pass into oblivion. Instead, it found a second life in Florida. The lighthouse parts were transported south, and rebuilt as the Gasparilla Island Rear Range Light in 1927. The light remains an active aid to navigation.

References (see links)

Guiding Lights of the Delaware River and Bay, Gowdy and Ruth pp. 244-248