This lighthouse is located in the West Passage just north of the Jamestown Bridge. It was completed in 1899 and served to warn vessels away from the Plum Beach shoal which extended east from the Narragansett shore toward Conanicut Island. In 1918 granite riprap was added to the base to protect it, changing the appearance to look like it is on a small island. 

It has endured several hurricanes, including the famous 1938 hurricane which devastated Jamestown. It was extensively renovated in 2003 and is now owned and maintained by the Plum Beach Lighthouse Association. There are numerous pictures,drawings and archives in the JHS collection: Click here to see some of them.

plum beach light

The photo above, shows the lighthouse as it was originally constructed. More information about this image can be found in our collection if you follow this link.

plum beach light house

This photo, above, is the lighthouse as it appears today.  More informaton about this image can be found in our collection if you follow this link.