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A lazaretto is a hospital for those with infectious
diseases, such as leprosy or smallpox. Such a hospital
existed across from Fort McHenry in Baltimore in the early 1800's.
In 1831, a 34-foot high lighthouse was built on the site by John
Donahoo for $2100. The light was a whitewashed tower with separate
keeper's dwelling, and was lit by eleven parabolic reflectors.
The reflectors were replaced by a fourth-order fresnel
lens in 1855.
A lighthouse depot was opened at the point in 1863, when
the Union Army began storing ordnance on-site. The hospital
was acquired and made part of the facility. The site had
limited space for docking ships, so most vessels were
docked at the Curtis Bay Revenue Cutter Service Yard.
Nevertheless, the depot became the site for construction
of many of the bay's screwpiles and caissons.
Iron ore was discovered on site during the Civil War. From
approximately 1863-1868, 3662 tons of iron ore was excavated
from the lighthouse property. The excavation contract
was terminated when the only remaining ore was underneath
the lighthouse keeper's garden. During this period, foundries
were built near the lighthouse, obscuring the light.
To make the light more visible, the characteristic was changed to red
in 1870.
Despite the change, the light was still obscured.
In 1885, a 70-foot mast and lantern was constructed next to
the lighthouse, as plans to move the lighthouse were
deemed too expensive. The mast was removed in 1888.
In 1915, the light became the first on the Chesapeake powered
by electricity.
In the late 19th century a larger depot was constructed
in Portsmouth, VA. In the 1920's, most personnel
were transferred to Portsmouth. A steel tower was built
100 yards closer to the shore, and the original light
discontinued in 1926. Shortly afterwards, the old
tower was torn down.
The depot closed in 1958, and the property was sold to
Ruckert Terminals Corporation of Baltimore. In 1985,
Norman Ruckert, Jr. built a replica lighthouse on the
terminal grounds, based on the original plans. Ruckert
built the replica in memory of his father, who had planned to
build it himself before his death in 1984.
Forgotten Beacons, Hornberger and Turbyville pp. 20, 46-47
The Lighthouses of the Chesapeake, de Gast p. 161
Lighting the Bay: Tales of Chesapeake Lighthouses, Vojtech pp. 77-81, 163-164
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