Conimicut Lighthouse

The lighthouse established in 1828 at Nayatt Point, on the east side of the entrance to the Providence River, proved insufficient to warn navigators of the dangerous sandbar extending out from Conimicut Point across at the west side. An unlighted wooden daymark was established as a warning in the middle of the river's mouth by 1858. That first daymark was swept away by ice in 1860, and a spar buoy took its place.A new granite tower was built in 1866, and at the request of local mariners the daymark was converted into a lighted aid to navigation in November 1868. Nayatt Point Light was then discontinued. There was no dwelling at the new light, meaning the early keepers had to make a dangerous one-mile rowboat trip to tend the light. In 1874, a five-room house was built on the pier at the light. In the spring of 1997 a Coast Guard crew during routine maintenance at the lighthouse found a stranded coyote that apparently had managed to swim to the lighthouse. The Coast Guardsmen got the animal into a cage and it was eventually released in the woods.On September 29, 2004, a ceremony was held to announce the transfer of the lighthouse to the city of Warwick under the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act of 2000. In early 2005, a new organization, the Conimicut Lighthouse Foundation, was formed. The foundation will be responsible for the preservation and operation of the lighthouse.Preservation efforts received a big boost in late 2005 when the lighthouse was earmarked for a $560,000 "transportation enhancement" grant from the Department of Transportation. Once restoration is completed, there are plans to add furnishings inside the lighthouse to re-create its appearance in the days of resident keepers. For the edification of those who aren't able to visit the lighthouse, an informational exhibit is planned for Conimicut Point Park.