Located in Harford County, the Concord Point Lighthouse is the oldest publicly accessible lighthouse in Maryland and the second oldest in the state. Built in 1827 at the northernmost point of the Chesapeake Bay, it remains a beloved landmark symbolizing the region’s maritime heritage.

Before lighthouses dotted the coast, waterways served as the primary transportation and communication routes in early American history. Recognizing their importance, Congress took responsibility for lighthouses in 1789, shifting oversight from individual states to the federal government. Virginia’s coastline received the first beacons, including Cape Henry, while Maryland followed in 1819 with lights authorized at the entrance to Baltimore Harbor. Additional lighthouses at Thomas Point Bar and Pooles Island were approved in 1824.

Concord Point and the Keeper’s House were constructed under federal specifications by Havre de Grace resident John Donahoo, who built the lighthouse with local granite from Port Deposit. The 26-foot stone tower, which extends to the bedrock below, is topped by a lantern reaching a total height of 36 feet.

Over time, the lighthouse and adjacent keeper’s house underwent numerous changes. After being repurposed several times—as a boarding house, restaurant, and bar—the structure was significantly altered between 1947 and 1965, with the original house encased in modern additions.

In 1939, the U.S. Coast Guard assumed responsibility for all lighthouses, maintaining Concord Point until its decommissioning in 1975. Today, through educational programs, events, and preservation efforts, Concord Point Lighthouse invites the public to explore and appreciate this enduring piece of Maryland’s coastal legacy.

Today the lighthouse is still open to the public for various events throughout the year. See Concord Point Lighthouse for more information on its history and events.

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