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"Cape
Henlopen Lighthouse" by Paul McGehee. The scene depicts the famous
Delaware lighthouse overlooking the Atlantic Ocean coastline over a
century ago. The historic light was only the sixth beacon constructed
in Colonial America, completed in 1767. The 69'-tall granite tower was
constructed on the "Great Dune" so as to further its height. Through
the years, many ships were warned away from the treacherous coastline
by the Cape Henlopen Light. The lighthouse bravely stood watch for
almost 150 years as nature's wrath took its toll...storms and constant
winds at the point eroded both the dune and the beach. By the early
years of the 20th century, the Cape Henlopen Lighthouse was in danger
of collapsing into the ocean. The first efforts to bolster its strength
came in 1905 and continued over the next several years. The newer
Delaware Breakwater Light took over Cape Henlopen's duties in the early
1920's as the old lighthouse was taken out of service on September 20,
1924. For almost two years after that, the old, abandoned lighthouse
stood; tenuously holding on to what little was left of the Great Dune.
Finally, the historic Cape Henlopen Lighthouse collapsed onto the beach
below during a "nor'easter" storm on April 13, 1926, ending the long
and storied life of one of the United States' oldest lighthouses. The
Cape Henlopen Lighthouse is now symbolically memorialized by the State
Park bearing its name. A miniature replica of the Lighthouse stands at
the nearby resort town of Rehoboth Beach, reminding vacationers of the
old days of the Lighthouse Service. When the tower fell in 1926, it
signaled the end of an era. "Cape Henlopen Lighthouse" is faithfully
reproduced as an archival-quality print from McGehee's original color
pencil drawing issued in a limited edition of only 500
pieces, each hand-signed by the artist.
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