It is located at the entrance to mobjack bay and the mouth of the york river in mathews county, virginia. The new point comfort lighthouse is less than 3 miles away. Two public viewing areas provide excellent opportunities to get up close and personal with area wildlife and the natural shoreline of the mobjack bay. The new point comfort lighthouse preservation task force is working with the army corps of engineers, the commonwealth of virginia, mathews county, and others to determine the best way to preserve and protect the lighthouse and the island that surrounds it for future generations. The oysters are named for the new point comfort lighthouse, the only thing that sticks farther into the chesapeake than whites pristine tidelands. The new point comfort lighthouse preservation task force was formed to assist the county of mathews in developing plans for the long term preservation of the lighthouse. New point comfort lighthouse chesapeake bay virginia lighthouse. New point rv resort, new point updated 2020 prices. A plan has been approved and the project has been divided into two phases. Jesse fayette, assistant keeper at the umpqua river lighthouse, finds himself alone to operate and maintain an oregon lighthouse after the accidental death of his head keeper. It was first lit in 1806 and manned by lighthouse keeper elzy burroughs, its builder. The chesapeake bay beach structure of new point comfort and other sandy shorelines along the chesapeake bay.
Today, it may be seen from the new point comfort observation walkway located at the southern end of route 600. It was first lit in 1805 and manned by its first lighthouse keeper elzy burroughs, its builder. Preservation of new point comfort lighthouse moving toward. In 1904, the new point comfort development company was formed to build a resort on the peninsula by reclaiming the marsh that separated the lighthouse from the mainland and building beaches. The light was retained, however, and a program of improvements to the grounds and facilities toward the end of the century culminated in the replacement of the keepers house with a new structure in 1891.
New point comfort lighthouse fort monroe, hampton, virginia. The book traces the lighthouse s history from construction to. New point comfort nature preserve port haywood 2020. New point comfort chesapeake bay virginia gallery paintings. New point comfort lighthouse for 200 years the new point comfort lighthouse in mathews county, virginia has been the symbol of safety and home for watermen and mariners on the chesapeake bay. It is the third oldest lighthouse still standing on the chesapeake bay, tenth oldest in the us. New point comfort beach and lighthouse mathews kayak. Nov 04, 2014 new point comfort lighthouse here in virginias second smallest county were proud to say were home to more lighthouses than traffic lights. The roadside running between forest and marsh offers additional opportunities for birding, which is best during spring and fall migrations. In 1865 the 63foot tower was fitted with a new fourthorder fresnel lens that allowed the light to be visible for miles.
This lighthouse is the third oldest surviving lighthouse on the chesapeake bay, surpassed only by those at cape henry and old point comfort. The new point comfort lighthouse itself is on an island figure 2 that was once attached to the mainland but is now almost 0. New point comfort beach and lighthouse mathews kayak eco. My new book, spirit of the lighthouse, is a sequel to the wickie. A sweet contemporary series set on the beautiful gulf coast of florida. Williams wharf landing and mathews maritime museum are within 12. Apr 04, 2018 the new point comfort peninsula has served as a point of reference for navigators since the 17th century and has been known by its present name since before 1690. Captain trey sowers is your host for an authentic cruise aboard the helen elizabeth, a classic chesapeake deadrise work boat. New point comfort lighthouse was created with pen and ink and watercolor and digitized. New point is situated in virginias mid atlantic july 26 2019.
New point comfort is the place where the mobjack bay meets the chesapeake. New point rv resort offers camping and cottages by the beach new point rv resort, located on the beautiful chesapeake bay, is a haven for campers and anglers alike. Three friendstally, susan, and juliesupport each other through triumphs and failures, love and loss. White, whose eponymous greatgrandfather worked three thousand acres of oysters with a fleet of twentyfive skipjacks, is one of the driving forces behind the chesapeakes oyster gardener program. Book new point rv resort, new point on tripadvisor. View all hotels near new point comfort lighthouse on tripadvisor. During the early years of our countrys history, shipping on the bay was a critical component for economic development and stability. Plan to visit old point comfort lighthouse during your hampton vacation using our convenient hampton online trip itinerary maker. New point comfort lighthouse its history and preservation book cover daily press if youre a history buff, living in hampton roads offers a lot of opportunity to dig around in the past. These photographs of the new point comfort lighthouse date from the late 19th century to the early 20th century.
A lone tower reinforced by riprap, surrounded by chesapeake bay waters and off the southern tip of mathews county, virginia, the lighthouse at new point comfort has weathered a constantly shifting shoreline as well as enemy troops in two wars. Details about 1803 virginia new point comfort lighthouse bob lighter lions club pin. For the first time in her life, struggling bakery owner julie farmington has something that is all hers. New point comfort treasure map get a birds eye view of the new point comfort peninsula and lighthouse. New point comfort lighthouse the lighthouse hunters. The 200th anniversary of the first illumination was celebrated on january 17, 2005. Lighthouse point on belle island has more of the charming town characters you enjoyed in comfort crossing, plus a new trio of friends. The closer one gets to the lighthouse, the more chop there is on the water. New point book mathews county historical society, inc. Starting with a march 3, 1801, act of congress to build a light house between old point comfort and smiths point, new point comfort lighthouse evolved. Visit old point comfort lighthouse on your trip to hampton. New point comfort, mobjack bay, virginia tide chart. New point comfort lighthouse mathews county historical.
New point comfort lighthouse was commissioned in 1804 by thomas jefferson. With busier waterways than roads, this little county. Cover prepared on an archive quality envelope without gum on flap. A dispute with the owner of the island over the portion needed for the light led first to an additional appropriation. The new point comfort lighthouse is located at the southernmost tip of mathews county, va. Facilities include a nature trail through the forested wetlands to the edge of the marsh plus a short boardwalk and marsh overlook. Starting with a march 3, 1801, act of congress to build a lighthouse between old point comfort and smiths point, new point comfort lighthouse evolved.
New point comfort is a windswept peninsula at the southernmost point of mathews county, virginia. Hampton, virginia cover with a pictorial postmark from monterey, va dated march 20, 2011. A lone tower reinforced by riprap, surrounded by chesapeake bay waters and off the. Fall in love with belle island and the friendlyor not so friendlytownsfolk on this small southern island. The contractor shall provide all the necessary services, supervision, labor, materials, tools, and equipment necessary to construct the project.
The history of new point comfort lighthouse learn the complete history of this proud sentinel on the chesapeake bay in mathews county, virginia. It juts into the water and serves as a boundary between chesapeake and mobjack bays. As soon as a plan is accepted by the county, the task force will assist with raising funds to complete the project. Wish upon a shell book one wedding on the beach book two love at the lighthouse book three cottage near the point book four return to the island book five bungalow by the bay book six try the comfort crossing series camille from lighthouse point is off causing trouble in this series too. New point comfort light is a lighthouse in the virginia portion of the chesapeake bay, united states, off the tip of the middle peninsula. New point comfort history directory to maritime history around new point comfort lighthouse of the middle chesapeake bay in mathews county, virginia.
Cover with a diy matte and 5x7 frame, makes a fine gift. New point comfort is a windswept maritime peninsula with historic lighthouse lighthouse and gateway to mathews county virginia from the sea. Guests staying at the rv resort in new point can enjoy other onsite features like laundry facilities and a childrens playground. First lit in 1806 when it stood onshore beside a keepers dwelling, the tower has survived intact. It is the second oldest light in the bay and the oldest still in use. In august, 2001 the society formed the new point comfort preservation task force. Enjoy some of the same characters from comfort crossing along with a trio of new friends, tally, susan, and julie. Tours launch right from the dock at the inn at tabbs creek in port haywood. The 55foot octagonal sandstone lighthouse sits on an island, separated from the mainland by the hurricane of 1933. Coast guard and is listed on the national register of historic places. The book traces the lighthouses history from construction to preservation efforts of today. The new point comfort lighthouse off the southern most tip of mathews county at the mouth of mobjack bay is the thirdoldest lighthouse in the chesapeake bay and 10th oldest in. Mchs announces the publication of its new book, the new point comfort lighthouse its history and preservation, by author mary louis clifford.
New point comfort natural area preserve is owned and managed by the nature conservancy. From wikipedia, the free encyclopedia new point comfort light is a lighthouse in the virginia portion of the chesapeake bay, united states, off the tip of the middle peninsula. It was first illuminated in 1805, and is the third oldest surviving lighthouse on the chesapeake bay, and the tenth oldest in the country. Williams wharf landing and mathews maritime museum are within 12 minutes drive of the property. The new point comfort campground welcomes tent campers. Along with other external elements such as invasions, this lighthouse has suffered from severe kinds of damages.
New point comfort lighthouse mathews county visitor center. New point comfort lighthouse port haywood 2020 all you. New point comfort lighthouse virginia is for lovers. Featuring a fullservice marina, private beach, and familyfriendly activities, new point is packed with amenities. New point comfort at the time was a small island separated from the mainline by a narrow passage named deep creek.
The new point comfort light, the third oldest light on the bay, was built in 1804. Renown for its natural habitats of beaches, salt marshes and forested wetlands, this tiny strip of land is also home to a wide variety of coastal and marine plants and animals. Hampton roads authors shed light on our history daily press. New point comfort preservation task force directory. New point comfort lighthouse here in virginias second smallest county were proud to say were home to more lighthouses than traffic lights. Lighting the way on the chesapeake bay inn at tabbs creek. April 24, 2002 march 22, 2005 june 23, 2007 purchase lighthouse prints from this page latitude. Wickie is a nickname used by the early lighthouse keepers at the umpqua river lighthouse in or. The photographs show damage to the structure peeling and chipped paint, broken windows and damaged mortar joints due to the elements. Mathews a secure access to the historic new point comfort lighthouse the thirdoldest lighthouse in the chesapeake bay and 10th oldest in the united states has been completed. Jun 30, 2016 the new point comfort lighthouse off the southern most tip of mathews county at the mouth of mobjack bay is the thirdoldest lighthouse in the chesapeake bay and 10th oldest in the united states. Photos from the present these photographs, from 2009 to 2010, depict the present state of the new point comfort lighthouse. Finished in 1804, it is the thirdoldest surviving light in the bay, and the tentholdest in the united states. Book now if you dont see the daytimelocation listed online, please call.
New point comfort lighthouse history complete directory of history of the historic sentinel in the chesapeake bay in mathews county, virginia. To develop a plan to preserve the new point comfort lighthouse as a permanent historic sentinel representing american navigation, transportation, commerce, craftsmanship, engineering, and americans perseverance through peace and war. The book traces the stations history and presentday preservation efforts by the new point comfort lighthouse preservation taskforce. Because of the threat to navigation caused by the point and its shoals, congress appropriated funds in 1801 for the construction of a permanent lighthouse. Given mathews countys 214 miles of scenic shoreline, this fact isnt so surprising. The scope of work consists of improvements as shown on plans and project manual titled new point comfort lighthouse rehabilitation, dated november 5, 2019 and prepared by mcpherson design group. New point comfort lighthouse, its history and preservation by mary louise clifford and j. New point comfort light new point, virginia landmark. Old point comfort light is a lighthouse located on the grounds of fort monroe in the virginia portion of the chesapeake bay. For visitation information contact the virginia chapter of. For the past seven decades, there has been a total of two hurricanes which surrounded the immediate environment of the new point comfort lighthouse. Guided by chairman earl soles the group is already hard at work on its mission.
The photographs document the changes in the landscape of the island and the destruction of some of the buildings on the property. Take a historic cruise along the east river and beyond to the new point comfort lighthouse. An adaaccessible boardwalk and observation deck extends over salt marsh, providing a view of mobjack bay and the historic new point comfort lighthouse. Get this heartwarming first book in the lighthouse point series. The new point comfort lighthouse preservation task force has started a fund to ensure the longterm upkeep of the lighthouse. A virginia beauty new point comfort lighthouse located at the southernmost tip of mathews county, va, the new point comfort lighthouse serves as a boundary between the chesapeake and mobjack bays. New point comfort, home of the chesapeake bays thirdoldest lighthouse, the bay and its five rivers provide protected anchorage for shallowwater gunkholing. This book is a tribute to the lighthouse keepers who manned this lighthouse, their families, the county of mathews and its residents and their part in the maritime history on the chesapeake bay.