Block Island Geocoin 2006 Black Nickel

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Tracking Number: LH4K2E

Teil der Coinsammlung der Kanustation Mirow / poseptun

This coin was released as part of a series of coins to celebrate lighthouses on the US Atlantic coast.

Block Island Southeast Lighthouse is one of the most visually striking lighthouses in the United States. Though the tower is relatively short, its flashing green light shines forth over 200 feet above the water due its elevated location atop Mohegan Bluffs.

In 1872 President Ulysses S. Grant signed a bill authorizing $75,000 for a lighthouse and steam fog signal at the southerly end of the island. 2½ years passed before the light began operation, and shortly thereafter President Grant stopped at Block Island to view the lighthouse.

A site on the southeast end of the island was selected due in part to the presence of a fresh pond that could supply water for the steam fog signal. The first-class steam siren, built in duplicate, commenced operation on January 1, 1874, but work on the lighthouse continued throughout that year.

Block Island Southeast Lighthouse consists of a redbrick tower and attached keeper’s dwelling. The fifty-two foot tower is twenty-five feet wide at its base and tapers to fifteen feet at the lantern deck. A cast-iron spiral staircase leads up the tower to the fifteen-foot-tall, cast-iron lantern that has sixteen sides, rather than the more common eight or ten sides. The head keeper was given one side of the dwelling, while his assistants were given apartments in the other half.

Text Vorderseite: Limited Edition - Lighthouse Series Block House RI

Text Rückseite: Atlantic Geocachers Association