Notes:
(1) The Lighthouse was built at Nayatt Point to mark the narrow passage between Nayatt Point and a hazardous shoal off Conimicut Point at the head of Narragansett Bay and the mouth of the Providence River.

      From 1636 to 1676, Providence was a fishing and farming village, and a haven for persecuted religious dissenters.  For 100 years, Roger Williams’ town was a significant test of religious liberty and church-state separation with limited economic and political influence.  The town’s tradition of dissent and destruction during King Philip’s War delayed the growth of early Providence.

      By 1765, Providence developed a thriving maritime trade, a merchant upper class, and some industries that included six rum distilleries, two spermaceti candle works, two tanneries, and two gristmills by 1776.

      After the Revolutionary War, Providence became a enterprising port that developed into a industrial and financial center by 1830.  The rapid growth of manufacturing led to increased navigation in the Providence River requiring Lighthouses to mark the waterway obstructions preventing the safe shipping of goods to and from Providence Harbor by Coastal traders unfamiliar with the river’s hazards.

      The hazardous shoal in the narrow passage between Nayatt Point and Conimicut Point at the head of Narragansett Bay and the mouth of the Providence River was the first dangerous obstacle to be marked by Lighthouse built on Nayatt Point in 1828.

      A 23-feet high brick tower and small lantern room was constructed and later damaged beyond repair by a severe storm in 1855.  A 25-feet high White Octagonal Brick Tower was constructed and attached to the original Keeper’s house.

      On Nov 1, 1868, Nayatt Point Light was replaced by new beacon erected at Conimicut Point to improve marking the narrow passage between the dangerous shoal off Conimicut Point and Nayatt Point.  Light-keepers lived at the old Nayatt Point dwelling and rowed to the new Light until a new Sparkplug-style Lighthouse with integral living quarters was built at Conimicut Point in 1883.

      In 1890, the Lighthouse at Nayatt Point was sold as private property and a Fresnel lens from a retired Lightship was placed in the Lantern Room.

(2) 1842 Optic: 6 Lamps with 9-inch Reflectors
     1850 Optic: 6 Lamps with 14-inch Reflectors

(3) The original Fourth-order Fresnel lens was moved to Conimicut Light and a Fresnel lens from a lightship is now in the lantern room.

(4) Nayatt Point Light was replaced by Conimicut Light on Nov 1, 1868 to improve marking the narrow passage between the shoal off Conimicut Point and Nayatt Point.

(5) Nayatt Point Lighthouse and grounds are privately owned and are not open to the public.  Both Nayatt Point Lighthouse and Conimicut Point are best viewed by boat.  Distant Views of both Lighthouses can be seen from Conimicut Point Park in Warwick.

      A nearby area (Google Map) in Barrington provides good views of the old lighthouse and Conimicut Point Light.
Directions from Providence:
      Take I 195 East to exit number 7, US-6 E toward RI-114 S/Seekonk/Barrington and Merge onto E Shore EXWY (1.1 mi).  Turn Slight Left onto RI-114 S/Wampanoag Trail (3.5 mi).  Turn Slight Right onto RI-103 N/County Road and stay straight (0.2 mi).  Turn Left onto Middle Highway (Washington Road -2.0 mi).  Turn Right onto Nayatt Road (0.6 mi). Turn Left onto Nayatt Point Ct.  Please note and respect the Private Residences.