Lighthouse Shines for The Holidays

Pomham Rocks Lighthouse, located off the coast of Riverside, will cast an even brighter light this holiday season. The railing of the catwalk surrounding the lantern room atop the island light station is aglow with decorative white lights to usher in the holidays. A giant wreath on the east side of the oil house, facing the Riverside shore, is also trimmed with white lights.

Colored lights are wrapped around the flagpole. And the newly installed white picket fence on the south side of the island now glows in a rainbow of colors. Friends of Pomham Rocks Lighthouse invite local residents to view the decorated lighthouse from the East Bay Bike Path. Park in the lot at the corner of Bullocks Point Avenue and Washington Avenue, next to Dairy Bee. The Bike Path is to the north, across Washington Avenue. It’s a short walk from the parking lot to a scenic view of the lighthouse. The lights will be turned on at 4:30 PM and will remain lit until 11:00 PM through December 31. Bring your camera to capture a festive view of this historical landmark and a flashlight to safely return to your car.

The lighting marks the conclusion of a successful year for Friends of Pomham Rocks Lighthouse. Members volunteered their time and talent to reconstruct the north downspout on the lighthouse. This restored the collection of rainwater from the mansard roof. The cistern was refurbished, providing the ability to store 4,900 gallons of water and adding another educational component to the tour. The first phase of picket fencing replaced the deteriorating chain-link fence on the retaining wall and south side of the island. In the second year of public tours to the lighthouse, Friends welcomed guests from throughout New England, as well as North Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Texas, Arizona, California and Washington state to tour Pomham Rocks Lighthouse this year.

Pomham Rocks Lighthouse is the last surviving lighthouse in upper Narragansett Bay. Since 2004, Friends of Pomham Rocks Lighthouse have made it their mission to protect and preserve this New England landmark that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. To learn more or to join the Friends, visit www.pomhamrockslighthouse.org.