Monument record MDO19710 - Old Higher Lighthouse, Portland

Site of lighthouse established in 1716 and described by Defoe in 1724-6 as two lighthouses set up 'within these few months'. (1) Two ‘Lighthouses’ shown on the site of the higher light on maps of 1745 (2) and 1765 (3) and a chart of 1779. (4) ‘Old or Northmost Lighthouse’ on 1837 map. (5) Both lighthouses were coal fired at first. Higher Light had first Argand oil lamps in an English lighthouse fitted in 1788. Rebuilt in 1869. (6)

<1> Defoe, D, 1724-6, A Tour Through the Whole Island of Britain, p213 (Monograph). SDO10402.

<2> Roper, T, 1745, A Plan of the Island of Portland in the County of Dorsett, with a description of his Ma’ty’s Demesne Lands and Quarries there… (Map). SDO10234.

<3> Taylor, Isaac, 1765, Dorset Shire (Map). SDO10340.

<4> Sayer and Bennett, 1779, Hydrographic Survey of Isle, Road and Race of Portland with the Shambles (Chart). SWX8808.

<5> E and G N Driver, 1837, Plan of a Customary Freehold Estate in the Isle of Portland, For Sale (Map). SDO10347.

<6> Stanier, Peter, 2002, Dorset in the Age of Steam, p123-4 (Monograph). SDO10401.

Record last edited

Sep 24 2007 11:25AM