The original 1810 lighthouse was destroyed by the Great Gale of 1815, which also flattened the town of Providence.
The lighthouse is equipped with an automated rotating Fresnel lens and remains a functioning USCG aid to navigation.
Point Judith is notorious for its treacherous underwater ledges, which have resulted in hundreds of shipwrecks throughout maritime history.
The lighthouse grounds are located on a site formerly occupied by a Revolutionary War-era signaling station.
The light characteristic is a white flash every 15 seconds, visible for approximately 18 nautical miles.
Point Judith Lighthouse is a 51-foot tall octagonal stone tower situated at the entrance to Narragansett Bay. Originally constructed in 1810 and rebuilt in 1857, it serves as a critical navigational aid for vessels entering the West Passage. The current lighthouse features an active rotating light maintained by the United States Coast Guard. The grounds house a station that remains an active, restricted-access facility. Visitors can observe the beacon and the surrounding rocky coastline from the adjacent public areas. The structure is built of granite and follows a distinct octagonal design pattern typical of 19th-century New England maritime architecture.
The rocky shoreline directly south of the lighthouse base allows for framing the tower against the Atlantic horizon.
Bring binoculars for spotting ships and marine life in the Atlantic.
Wear sturdy, wind-resistant clothing as the point is highly exposed to coastal gusts.
Respect the perimeter fencing as the facility is an active military installation.
Do not attempt to climb the tower or cross security fences; the site is monitored by the Coast Guard.
Stay within marked public areas; the lighthouse grounds and base are restricted Coast Guard property.
