The Most-Photographed Lighthouse In Rhode Island Is On The East Passage of Narragansett Bay

New England has some rather remarkable lighthouses, especially Rhode Island. The Ocean State is home to 15 lighthouses, some of which are so frequently photographed, they’ve become iconic. The Castle Hill Lighthouse is the most photographed lighthouse in the state, and it’s easy to see why.

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And this beauty isn't just a landmark. It's an active navigation aid for vessels entering the East Passage between Conanicut Island and Aquidneck Island.

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The land around the lighthouse had belonged to Alexander Agassiz, a noted industrialist and biologist at Harvard University. He initially refused to sell the land to the government, but he eventually deeded it out for $1.

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Part of the problem was that Alexander Agassiz, who still owned a home near the lighthouse, complained to the Lighthouse Board. A screen was soon near the bell to deaden the sound in his direction.

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While the tower was able to withstand the passing waves, the keeper's residence was destroyed.

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But by 1957, the lighthouse was automated. This development has been quite a game-changer.

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The lighthouse is owned by the U.S. Coast Guard, and the tower is closed. However, it's still possible to get some great shots.

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And while it isn't Rhode Island's oldest lighthouse, it's certainly one of the most recognizable to those outside of New England.

The Castle Hill Lighthouse was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1888. Check it out the next time you’re in Newport.