Turkey Point light, which was commissioned in 1833, sits atop a high peninsula bluff which separates the Elk and Northeast rivers. Its purpose was to guide ships to the newly built Chesapeake and Delaware Canal. Like the not too distant Concord Point Light, This 35 foot stone tower was built by John Donahoo and shared the same basic plans. It is somewhat remote in terms of land access and for many years a winch was used to haul supplies (which were brought by boat) up the bluff. The light was staffed until 1947, after which Fannie Slater, the Bay's last female lighthouse keeper, retired from service there and it was fully automated. The keeper's house had to be torn down in 1972 because of decay and vandalism. The bluff and lighthouse are now part of Elk Neck State Park and are located at the end of a nice walking trail. It is now managed by Turkey Point Light Station, Inc. and still functions as an active aid to navigation.

 

U.S. Coast Guard Historian's page - Turkey Point Light