Pomham Rocks Light Station, East Providence Rhode Island
Pomham Rocks was acquired by the US Government in 1871 and the dwelling, storage buildings, light towers, and fog signal were installed shortly after. The Light Station was then established by the Treasury Department's Lighthouse Board in the same year. The Light Station is situated on ½ of an acre, approximately 200 yards off the mainland of East Providence, at the upper reaches of Narragansett Bay, in the Providence River.
The light and keeper's quarters are combined in a single masonry structure of handsome proportions and High Victorian design.
The Light Station is among one of the oldest stations situated on Narragansett Bay and has long served as both a functional and picturesque landmark for the East Providence community. For well over a century, the station has guided ships in the main channel leading into Providence Harbor.
Electricity was first brought to the island in the mid-1960s. Until the spring of 1974, it served as a manned Light Station. In May 1974 the Coast Guard constructed a new modular galvanized light tower adjacent to the original light station. With this new construction, the original station was decommissioned and vacated by the Coast Guard.
Site Description
Pomham Rocks Light Station consists of approximately ½ of an acre situated atop of promontory approximately 200 yards off the mainland of East Providence at the upper reaches of Narragansett Bay in what is called the Providence River.
Electricity and telephone services to the Island are provided by underwater cables running from the mainland. Sewage disposal is by septic tank.
The main dwelling is wood frame on a granite base 28 ft X 28 ft with a wooden light tower attached 34 ft high. The dwelling and tower were constructed in 1871.
Adjacent to the main dwelling and light tower is a wood/brick frame storage built in 1871 which was internally converted to a generator building in 1957.
On the opposite side of the main dwelling from the generator building is an active modular galvanized light tower which was erected in 1974.
At the lower end of the island is a 12 ft X 130 ft concrete seawall built in 1939 annexed by a timber on pile L-shaped wharf.
North side of the island (1975)
West side of the island (1975)
South side of the island (doorways of the dwelling are on the south and southeast sides) (1975)
Southeast side of the island (1975)
