HOOPER ISLAND, Md. – The United States General Services Administration has announced the opening of the Hooper Island Lighthouse online auction.
The federal government is looking for a new steward to purchase the lighthouse, located about four miles west of Middle Hooper Island in the Maryland portion of the Chesapeake Bay. The lighthouse has been in the care of the US Lighthouse Society, which received the deed in May 2009. However, the US Lighthouse Society said it was looking for another person or organization to take possession of the historic property.
Hooper Island Light is a caisson (spark plug) lighthouse built in 1902. The lighthouse stands in 18 feet of water with a focal plane height of 63 feet. The lighthouse was added to the National Register of Historic Places on December 2, 2002.
The property is subject to:
- The continued operation and maintenance of the United States Coast Guard as an aid to navigation on the lighthouse.
- Lighthouse Historic Preservation Covenants.
- The execution of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOA) with the US Navy. The lighthouse is located in a surface danger zone controlled by the Navy. For security reasons, the successful bidder will be required to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding that governs when access is prohibited.
The online auction began on August 8, 2022. Those interested in bidding must pre-register and submit a $5,000 entry deposit. The starting opening bid is set at $15,000. The inspection of the structure must be carried out from a safe distance. Tying, climbing, anchoring or entering the property is strictly prohibited for safety reasons.
Investors are encouraged to begin their buyer due diligence now. The deadline to register and place a bid is September 21, 2022.
Investors can register to bid on this auction at www.RealEstateSales.gov.
