Lighthouses

This passage discusses the function of lighthouses in our country's history.

Lexile Level: 680L

Categories: History Science & Technology

Lighthouses were once lifelines to sailors. They helped them steer their boats to the correct location. They also alerted them to rocky areas. Most lighthouses were tall structures with a bright light on top. There were lighthouses on both the Pacific and the Atlantic coasts of the United States. Sailors could tell lighthouses apart by their light patterns. Each lighthouse had its own pattern of flashing lights. The pattern was made by a lens that rotated around the light. Sailors watched for the pattern. They looked it up on a light list. Then, they could figure out their location. Before electricity, lighthouses were lit by oil lamps. Lighthouse keepers lit the lamp at sunset and put it out at sunrise. They checked on the light several times a night to make sure it was still burning. With new technology, lighthouses are not as necessary today. But, they are an important part of our country's history.