In the early 19th century, sailors relied on its signals. Lighthouse Warwick Neck in Rhode Island to find your way safely.

More than a century later, the lighthouse no longer has a practical function, as it once did, but its historical value is still great.

The 15-meter high rises above the rocks of Narragansett Bay, towers over the rough waters of the Atlantic and will soon belong to some happy group that can secure its future.

The General Services Administration (GSA) will offer six lighthouses free of charge to citizens this year, including the lighthouse on Warwick Neck. Four more will be auctioned off in the second year. The purpose of these transfers is to preserve historic buildings, even if technology has taken them out of service, relegating them to the margins of collective memory.

This is historical! @USGSA is auctioning off a record number of lighthouses. Tag those who would like to join this unique adventure! #GSALighthouse #RecordLighthouseAuction
➡️ https://t.co/TZU0dL5xoO pic.twitter.com/Nq1TNT6tdY

— GSA (@USGSA) May 26, 2023

For hundreds of years, lighthouses greeted travelers off the coast of Americabefore modern navigation technology renders them “useless” and decommissions. The GSA, believing that they are “no longer critical to the needs of the US Coast Guard,” is releasing them to people who intend to keep them “alive.”

“People really appreciate the heroic role of the Lone Rangers. Beacons were indeed the tools they provided safe passage through some of the most dangerous ports which provided their communities with great trading opportunities and were often located in prominent locations with breathtaking views,” explains John Kelly of the GSA Real Estate Sales Service.

“This is such an unusual reflection of our history that it takes certain people to be a part of this history,” says Robin Carnahan, GSA administrator.

Temporarily, beacons will not be available to anyone. According to the announcement of the competent authority, they will be available free for services, local governments, non-profit organizations, educational groups.

The performance criteria for stakeholders must be able to preserve historic property and provide access to the public.

To date, more 80 lighthouses found a new owner – and a certain future – through this process, according to the GSA.

If no interested person is found with these conditions, the lighthouses will be put up for sale to the public by auction. To date, GSA has auctioned 70 lighthouses with sales ranging from $10,000 to over $900,000.

Source: Smithsonian Journal.