Shoaling around Drum Point, the mouth of the Patuxent finally lead to the erection of the screw-pile designed lighthouse. Standing in about 10ft of water, her light was lit in August 1882. By 1970 the shore had shifted so that the lighthouse was on land and a small bridge was built to it.
Like many of our nation's retired lightkeeper quarters, the U.S. Coast Guard were the last inhabitants of Drum Point, leaving it abandoned at it's original location for decades. The Calvert County Historical Society attempted to acquire the lighthouse as early as the 1960's, and in 1974, during the construction of the the Solomon's Bridge connecting St. Mary's County and Calvert County, B.F. Diamond Construction Co. was obliged to lend a crane, and the Drum Point Lighthouse has rested at the Calvert Marine Museum ever since.
I pride my tri-county area in their volunteerism, and the historical societies ability to recover, restore, and maintain historic landmarks, therefore promoting heritage and education. Not only visually majestic from the outside, the museum attendance to the inside has it nearly move-in ready, every room like a page from an album. Deceiving from the outside, there are actually two stories of living quarters, and full-size rooms no less. Makes me want a lighthouse.
If you're brave enough to venture into tight, limited spaces, then lighthouse touring is for you.
Drum Point's main entrance is a hatch in the bottom, after a comfortable staircase onto what's been made into a landing for sitting.
That's my pal Sarah, braving the climb with a baby.
Tourists
Aside from the lighthouse, there is so much to do and see in Calvert County, the Calvert Marine Museum alone has lots to see and touch for the history buff of any age, and well organized hands-on areas for the little wantermen and girls.
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