For those who enjoy living in seclusion and watching choppy waters outside their window, a historic 1897 lighthouse has just hit the market.
Located nearly three miles away from the shore of Virginia in Chesapeake Bay, the Smith Point Lighthouse was once a key landmark for those traveling up to the Potomac River.
In 2005, Dave McNally, 73, bought the three story tall, white painted brick lighthouse and began to create a home inside.
Over the span of nearly two decades, McNally was able to install electricity, hot water, a functional bathroom and a kitchen with a portable dishwasher into the tower.
Located nearly three miles away from the shore of Virginia in Chesapeake Bay, the Smith Point Lighthouse was once a key landmark for those traveling up to the Potomac River
But in 2005, Dave McNally, 73, (pictured with his wife, Teri) bought the three story tall, white painted brick lighthouse and began to create a home inside
‘I can’t tell you how many boat trips back and forth I went bringing things out and taking rotten wood off,’ McNally told The Washington Post.
As renovations went on, McNally’s family started coming out to spend time in the lighthouse and eventually began to spend their summer vacation in the tower.
He noted that there was a special sense of quiet that could be experienced while living in the lighthouse.
‘On a beautiful, quiet July night, you can hear the blow holes of the dolphins as they swim by.
‘That’s how quiet it is out there,’ he told Chesapeake Bay Magazine.
Eventually, he was able to install cherry cabinetry, standard appliances and a breakfast counter in the kitchen as well as a full bath and shower stall.
Eventually, he was able to install cherry cabinetry, standard appliances and a breakfast counter in the kitchen as well as a full bath and shower stall
McNally was able to turn the once nearly-rotten tower into a beautiful four-bedroom home – with three on the on the second floor and one in the watch room.
New waterproof vinyl flooring accents the original brick walls and trim as well as a new plumbing system, AC units, wastewater treatment system and a generator to keep the place running smoothly were also installed.
After years and years of repairs, the self-proclaimed ‘river rat’ never planned to sell the lighthouse.
But eventually, due to age, decided that it was time to part ways and listed the one-of-a-kind property for $450,000.
McNally was able to turn the once nearly-rotten tower into a beautiful four-bedroom home – with three on the on the second floor and one in the watch room
Due to age, McNally decided that it was time to party ways and listed the one-of-a-kind property for $450,000.
‘I’ve got no neighbors. I don’t have an address. All I have is a longitude and latitude. I think I had a romantic notion that I wanted to buy a lighthouse and I had the ability to buy one, so I did.
‘I had a 20-year run with it, and it’s been the best time of my life. You haven’t had an adventure until you’ve owned a lighthouse.
‘A lighthouse isn’t for ancient people, and I’m kind of getting up to that point. It’s an episode in my life. But I am ready for the next chapter,’ he explained.