Lighthouses were built to help guide ships to the shore. The beacon shone and the horn bellowed so they could find their way through even the murkiest fog. Beacon Homes was inspired by this guiding light, so we named both our company and our floor plans after this shining example. The inspiration behind Beacon Homes is that a lighthouse guides you home, and we wanted to share a little of this story with you.
The first lighthouse in the country was built over 300 years ago, on an island off the coast of Boston. Since then 1,910 lighthouses have been built, but very few are still in operation. The newest lighthouse was built in 1962, on Sullivan’s Island in Charleston, SC. This is the only one equipped with an elevator.
Among the most famous lighthouses in the U.S. is the Statue of Liberty. As a landmark, it has endured as a tribute to American freedom. As a lighthouse, however, it failed. In 1886, when electricity was still a new concept, it was difficult to accurately position the lights. Over many years, teams worked to perfect the lighting, but, eventually, the cost was just too high. In 1902, it was decommissioned as an aid to navigation.
New Haven Lighthouse, Connecticut
The New Haven Lighthouse in Connecticut was built in 1805, just south of Five Mile Point. Its location at the entrance to New Haven Harbor was known for its rocky ledge, a hazard to passing ships.
It’s not so difficult to make it home to Beacon Homes’ New Haven floor plan. This single-level home spans 2,315 square feet, with 4 bedrooms and 2.5 baths in a split floor plan. The heart of this home is the open concept. The center island kitchen occupies a large corner, with the dining nook on one side and a generously sized great room on the other. From just about anywhere in this home, you have a view of your surroundings, as well as the wonderful comfort of your own great indoors.
Ashland Breakwater Lighthouse, Wisconsin
While we most often think of lighthouses along the ocean coastline, many of them light up rivers and lakes. The Ashland Breakwater Lighthouse towers over Chequamegon Bay of Lake Superior. The government built a breakwater here to protect ships from heavy storms churning across the massive lake, and 22 years later, constructed the lighthouse to light the way. On its 100th anniversary, the Ashland Breakwater Lighthouse became the responsibility of the National Parks Service, to maintain the structure’s historical heritage.
When you think of a lighthouse, does it remind you of something cozy and romantic? Our own Ashland floor plan presents this same feeling. With almost 1,700 square feet, there’s plenty of room to live the way you want—which includes a little less space to take care of. This single-level home is ideal for first-time homebuyers and empty-nesters. The split floor plan adds privacy to the master suite, along with the welcome extras of a master bath with both a step-in shower and separate soaking tub, plus a walk-in closet that provides a shortcut to the family entrance by the garage. The smart design also incorporates a flex room, so you can live large in less than 2,000 square feet.
Hawkins Point Lighthouse, Maryland
Hawkins Point Lighthouse began guiding ships through the Brewerton Channel on Maryland’s Patapsco River in 1868. The tower sustained damage over the years but remained steadfast. Unlike the traditional lighthouse, Hawkins Point was designed as a “screw-pile lighthouse”. It resembled a large house rather than a tower, with a hexagonal shape and a beacon installed in the cupola. The screw-pile lighthouse was designed to be erected on soft soil, like sand and mud, with iron piles sunk deep into the bottom to support the building.
Beacon Homes named our Hawkins Point floor plan for this lighthouse. Like its namesake, we created an untraditional design, one that reflects a variety of angles. The 2,237-square-foot home has many windows that provide views of the outdoors, no matter where you go. This home design includes 3 bedrooms and 2.5 baths, with an option to add a second-floor bonus, to take your home to new heights.
Wherever you go, coming home should always be a welcome sight. Beacon Homes invites you to look at the wide variety of new construction homes we build in the Oklahoma City and Tulsa metro areas. Take a virtual tour of any of our homes and then talk to us about your vision of your perfect place. And we hope you follow the “Beacon” to one of our homes.
