Cape Henlopen Lighthouse

Cape Henlopen Lighthouse once stood atop the high dunes of Cape Henlopen near Lewes, Delaware, overlooking the entrance to Delaware Bay. First lit in 1767, it was among the earliest lighthouses established in the American colonies and played a critical role in guiding vessels entering the busy ports of Philadelphia and Wilmington. For nearly a century and a half, the lighthouse warned mariners of dangerous shoals and shifting sands along the Mid-Atlantic coast. Persistent coastal erosion gradually threatened the structure, and in 1926 the lighthouse collapsed into the Atlantic Ocean, leaving behind a lasting legacy in American maritime history.

This vintage-inspired Cape Henlopen Lighthouse print celebrates one of the most significant lost lighthouses in the United States. Drawing inspiration from the bold colors and simplified forms of WPA-era travel posters, the artwork highlights the towering lighthouse, windswept dunes, and dramatic coastal landscape that once defined Cape Henlopen. Designed for lighthouse enthusiasts, maritime historians, Delaware travelers, and collectors of American landmarks, this piece honors a historic beacon whose influence endured long after its disappearance from the shoreline.

5% of every sale from our U.S. Lighthouses Collection is donated to organizations that support the preservation and protection of America's coastal landmarks and maritime heritage.