Cape Henlopen Light stood near Lewes, Delaware, guarding the entrance to Delaware Bay since its construction in 1769 — making it one of the earliest lighthouses built in America. Commissioned during the colonial era, it served mariners for over two centuries before coastal erosion claimed the tower, which toppled into the sea in 1926. The lighthouse is no longer standing, so it cannot be visited or climbed. Historic photos and artifacts can be found at the Zwaanendael Museum in Lewes. The surrounding Cape Henlopen State Park offers excellent photography opportunities, especially at sunrise over the breakwater. Nearby attractions include the Lewes-Cape May Ferry, Rehoboth Beach, and the historic port town of Lewes with its charming shops and restaurants.

Explore Nearby

• Cape Henlopen State Park — State Park in Delaware
• Cape May Point State Park — State Park in New Jersey
• Chesapeake Country Scenic Byway — Scenic Byway in Maryland
• Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway — Scenic Byway in Maryland
• Wooddale Bridge — Covered Bridge in South Carolina