On a windswept barren point in southern Maryland, with the tidal Potomac for it’s front yard and the open Chesapeake at it’s back door step, sets a house that obviously belongs to another era. It’s metal roof, old brick and frame construction easily date it to the 1800’s. The large cupola, which once held a huge fresnal lens, tells the story of another time when the safety of mariners depended on the lighthouses.
Rich in history the lighthouse was originally constructed in 1830 as a small house with a lantern protruding from the roof of the house. In 1883, the house was enlarged. By 1927 the house was once again expanded, this time into a two-story duplex housing both the lighthouse keeper and the assistant lighthouse keeper along with their respective families.
The Point Lookout Light had been a safety beacon to mariners
for only 31 years when the Civil War broke out and injury, disease and
death became a large part of the history of Point Lookout. Because of
its proximity to the battlefields and the remoteness of the location,
Point Lookout became the largest Federal prison camp and hospital. Of
the 52,000 soldiers that passed through Point Lookout it is estimated
that between 3,000-8,000 soldiers and guards died at Point Lookout due
to the harshness of the environment, filth and the lack of adequate protection
from the elements.
After the Civil War had ended, the lighthouse remained in active duty until January 11, 1966 when an automated light was erected and Point Lookout Lighthouse was officially deactivated. Due to the expense of maintaining the Lighthouse, an automated light was placed off shore by the US Navy who owned the lighthouse at that time. The Navy considered burning the Lighthouse down but concerned citizens intervened and saved this historic structure. The state of MD now owns the lighthouse and there is work underway to get it listed on the historic register which will help preserve the lighthouse.
Over the years, many people have been involved in
preserving the lighthouse and it’s history. One of the most active people
in the fight to save the lighthouse is Laura Berg. Laura was a state employee
and actually lived in the lighthouse from 1979-1981 as any state employee
could lease vacant living quarters leased by the state of MD. While residing
at the lighthouse, Laura learned firsthand of some of the history of the
lighthouse by the strange and unexplained activity that went on while
she lived in the lighthouse.
Imagine being alone on a winters night, with only the howl of the wind and the sound of the surf pounding the shore, when you begin to hear laughing coming from another room or someone walking outside the hallway of your room. When you investigate you find you are the only living soul in the house.
Whether or not you believe in ghosts, it is a fact that Point Lookout has one of the most gruesome histories of all the public lands in Maryland. Over the decades there have been numerous reports of paranormal experiences at Point Lookout, especially in the lighthouse. Experts from all over the world have come to investigate; Point Lookout Lighthouse is the only lighthouse on the Chesapeake to receive such attention. Over 24 different voices have been recorded in the lighthouse and numerous photographic phenomenon have been revealed that were not apparent to the photographer at the time the photograph was taken. There have also been distinct odors noted at certain times during the day.
When the BYYB gathered at Point Lookout for the Mega Messabout, we were fortunate enough to have Laura Berg and her fellow enthusiast, Robert Hall, give us a private tour of the lighthouse and share with us some of the history of the lighthouse and some of their unusual experiences associated with the lighthouse. It is obvious from speaking with them that they share a strong connection to the lighthouse and are working to preserve both the lighthouse and its recorded heritage. They have documented much of the strange and unusual happenings, as well as much of the recorded history of the lighthouse at Laura and Robert’s joint web site (http://www.ptlookoutlighthouse.com/) or if you wish, try the more ghostly site; either way you will be in for a treat (http://www.paranormalinvestigators.com/).
Thanks to concerned citizens, like Laura and Robert, the lighthouse’s future looks bright. In the summer of 2002, the state of Maryland purchased the lighthouse from the US Navy and a restoration project is underway, with plans that include turning the Point Lookout Lighthouse into a museum open to the public.
If you don’t believe in ghosts and need some convincing, simply drive as far south on Maryland’s western shore as you can travel. On a windswept barren spit, stands one of the most haunted lighthouses on the east coast. The loneliness of unrest, apparent in the howling wind and constant lapping of the surf along the shoreline, greets the unsuspecting visitor to a place where time stands still.
For more information about Point Lookout Lighthouse in Scotland, Maryland,
contact Maryland Department of Natural Resources.
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