What is the difference between a lighthouse and a light station

The light can be affixed to a house, or more likely within a tower or cupola added to a house, which we then call a lighthouse. More often today, however, lights are put on antenna-like structures.

Where there are such lights, they tend to get unofficial names from the local boating public. For example, although you won't find it on any chart nor any official publication, but the light that marks a certain bend in the Ohio River near my former home is the Dayton Light. But everyone calls it Dayton Light.

As for Light Station, I do not at all doubt either Wikipedia nor Charlie in the prior answer, that this term describes the entire grounds and complex around a light. However, I usually associate this term with some degree of official-dom, such as the Coast Guard or one of its predecessors like the Life Saving Service or Revenue Cutter Service.

I had a harder time finding references for this. The closest I could come is a list from the U. Coast Guard Historian's Office. If you expand the "R" Race Point is listed.

Since most lights have been automated, few if any of these Light Stations remain active, so the Historian links to the National Park Service for those that have been preserved as landmarks. That link is dead, but I did find some additional information doing a search on NPS's site. Race Point is not included here, because it appears it was turned over to a private c3, not the NPS.

A lighthouse is one of the buildings in a light station and has the actual signaling light while light station refers to all of the buildings. A light station comprises the lighthouse tower and all outbuildings , such as the keeper's living quarters, fuel house, boathouse, and fog-signaling building.

The Lighthouse itself consists of a tower structure supporting the lantern room where the light operates. Sign up to join this community. The best answers are voted up and rise to the top. Stack Overflow for Teams — Collaborate and share knowledge with a private group.

However, the larger lights, in particular, tended to be part of a light station. In the past, other buildings such as kitchens, privies and sheds were also part of the light station.

What are the surrounding structures? The small red brick building was the oil house built in , where the flammable fuel was kept, and later, an emergency generator. Originally, surrounding the lighthouse was a wrought iron fence supported by granite footing, built to prevent livestock from causing erosion at the base of the tower - the white plastic fence is a recent Park Service addition.

A beacon is a general term for something that can provide a point of reference or guidence by making itself known. A lighthouse is a beacon for ships by flashing its lights. The one learning a language! Learn about premium features. Tired of searching? HiNative can help you find that answer you're looking for. Register for free. Solve your problems more easily with the app!