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In 2023, the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) named six historic light stations for a no-cost stewardship process and four more for auction. Those were separate routes: a qualifying public or nonprofit organization could apply to steward a lighthouse without paying a transfer price, while auction properties were offered for sale. Neither route made upkeep free, and the 2023 announcement does not establish that any of the properties is available today.
The six lighthouses listed for no-cost stewardship in 2023
GSA’s May 26, 2023 announcement identified these six Notices of Availability in five states. The list records the 2023 notices, not current availability. GSA said the notice period for Erie Harbor North Pier Lighthouse had recently closed when it issued the announcement.
- Lynde Point Lighthouse — Old Saybrook, Connecticut.
- Nobska Lighthouse — Falmouth (Woods Hole), Massachusetts.
- Plymouth/Gurnet Lighthouse — Plymouth, Massachusetts.
- Warwick Neck Light — Warwick, Rhode Island.
- Little Mark Island and Monument — Harpswell, Maine.
- Erie Harbor North Pier Lighthouse — Erie, Pennsylvania; its notice period had recently closed by the time of GSA’s announcement.
GSA’s May 26, 2023 release is the source for the names and locations.
Four additional lighthouses were offered for auction
The same release listed four properties for sale by auction. They were not part of the no-cost stewardship group.
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- Penfield Reef Lighthouse — Fairfield, Connecticut.
- Stratford Shoal Light — East Setauket, New York.
- Cleveland Harbor West Pierhead Light — Cleveland, Ohio.
- Keweenaw Waterway Lower Entrance Light — Chassell, Michigan.
The official sources cited here do not establish the outcome or present ownership of these four auction properties.
What “free lighthouse” means—and what it does not
A no-cost transfer is not an unrestricted giveaway to an individual. Under the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act (NHLPA), a federal historic light station no longer needed by its agency may be conveyed to a selected steward through a competitive process. Eligible applicants include federal agencies; state agencies in the state where the lighthouse is located; the relevant local government; nonprofit corporations; educational agencies; and community development organizations.
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A successful steward must be financially capable of maintaining the property and accept statutory obligations recorded in the deed. These include making the property available to the public for education, park, recreation, cultural, or historic-preservation purposes at reasonable times and under reasonable conditions. The process is intended to preserve historic properties, not to provide a free private residence.
Transfer price is only one part of the cost. GSA cautioned in 2023 that maintenance depends on the intended use and may involve cleaning, painting, repairs, or restoration. Many lighthouses do not have utilities, and the announcement gave no property-specific upkeep budgets. A light station can include more than a tower: NPS lists possible buildings, appurtenant land, walkways, piers, and other improvements. The notice and coordinated site visit are essential for understanding the actual boundary, condition, and work involved.
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How the no-cost application process works
The National Park Service (NPS) describes the process in its application guidance, last updated April 2, 2026. Deadlines are tied to the particular Notice of Availability, so anyone considering an application should use the current notice rather than rely on the 2023 dates or a general timeline.
- Check the Notice of Availability. GSA issues a notice when a property is available. Qualified interested entities generally have 60 days from that notice to submit a Letter of Interest.
- Receive application materials. GSA forwards qualified parties to NPS, which provides the application materials.
- Attend a site visit. GSA coordinates a visit with the Coast Guard and NPS so interested applicants can assess the property.
- Submit the completed application. After the site visit, the application is due to NPS within 90 days.
- Undergo preservation review. NPS evaluates completeness, past performance, the applicant’s ability to carry out NHLPA goals, and compliance with historic-property treatment standards and applicable legal requirements. State historic preservation officer comments are also considered.
- Await the selection and transfer decision. NPS recommends a steward through the Interior Department; GSA completes the transfer. If no application is received or the review committee makes no recommendation, GSA may offer the property through competitive bid or auction.
What transfers, and what remains with the Coast Guard
“Light station” may cover a collection of structures and land rather than only the beacon tower. Depending on the property, it can include a keeper’s dwelling, barn, boathouse, fog-signal building, garage, oil house, pier, pump house, storage shed, support structures, walkways, and related improvements. The actual scope and condition must be established from the specific notice and site visit, not inferred from the lighthouse’s name.
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A recipient is not required to operate active federal navigation aids. The Coast Guard retains responsibility for active aids to navigation and reserves access to service them after a transfer. That retained access can matter when planning public use or maintenance of the site.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How the program’s sales figures should be read
The figures below are historical program-wide totals reported by GSA, not valuations or upkeep estimates for any of the named properties.
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| GSA report | Reported program totals |
|---|---|
| May 2023 | Over 150 lighthouses conveyed since the program began in 2000, including 81 no-cost transfers and about 70 public-auction sales; auctions raised more than $10 million. GSA said auction sale prices ranged from $10,000 to $933,888. |
| July 2025 | More than 151 lighthouses sold or transferred out of federal ownership; 81 no-cost transfers and 70 auction sales generated approximately $10 million. |
These releases give totals at different dates and use slightly different wording, so they should not be merged into one undated count. The 2025 release also confirms that new notices continued after the 2023 season, but it does not establish whether any particular 2023 property remains available. See GSA’s 2023 announcement and July 9, 2025 announcement.
How to check whether a lighthouse is available now
The six names above are a historical snapshot, not an active application list. The sources cited here do not establish the current status of those notices or the final outcomes of the four auctions. Check current GSA notices and the specific property record before preparing an application or bidding; for a no-cost transfer, verify eligibility, the deadline, property boundaries, condition, deed obligations, and any Coast Guard access requirements.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
