For those who enjoy living in seclusion and watching the choppy waters from their window, a historic lighthouse from 1897 has just hit the market.
Located nearly three miles off the Virginia coast on the Chesapeake Bay, the Smith Point Lighthouse was once a key landmark for those traveling up the Potomac River.
In 2005, Dave McNally, 73, bought the three-story-tall white-painted brick lighthouse and began making a home inside it.
For nearly two decades, McNally was able to install electricity, hot water, a functional bathroom and a kitchen with a portable dishwasher in the tower.
Located nearly three miles off the Virginia coast on the Chesapeake Bay, the Smith Point Lighthouse was once a key landmark for those traveling up the Potomac River.
But in 2005, 73-year-old Dave McNally (pictured with his wife, Teri), bought the three-story-tall, white-painted brick lighthouse and began making a home inside it.
“I can’t tell you how many round-trip boat trips I made to get things out and remove rotten wood,” McNally told The Washington Post.
As the renovations progressed, McNally’s family began coming out to spend time at the lighthouse and eventually began spending their summer vacations in the tower.
He noted that a special sense of tranquility could be experienced while living in the lighthouse.
‘On a beautiful, calm July night, you can hear the snorting of dolphins as they swim.
“That’s how quiet the atmosphere is,” he said. Chesapeake Bay Magazine.
Finally, he was able to install cherry cabinets, standard appliances, and a breakfast bar in the kitchen, as well as a full bathroom and shower.
Finally, he was able to install cherry cabinets, standard appliances, and a breakfast bar in the kitchen, as well as a full bathroom and shower.
McNally was able to convert the once nearly rotting tower into a beautiful four-bedroom home, three on the second floor and one in the guard room.
New waterproof vinyl flooring accenting the original brick walls and trim was also installed, as well as a new plumbing system, air conditioning units, a wastewater treatment system, and a generator to keep the place running smoothly.
After years and years of repairs, the self-proclaimed ‘river rat’ never planned to sell the lighthouse.
But eventually, due to age, he decided it was time to part ways and put the one-of-a-kind property up for sale for $450,000.
McNally was able to convert the once nearly rotting tower into a beautiful four-bedroom home, three on the second floor and one in the guard room.
Due to age, McNally decided it was time to have some fun and put the one-of-a-kind property on the market for $450,000.
‘I don’t have neighbors. I don’t have an address. All I have is a longitude and latitude. I think I had a romantic idea that I wanted to buy a lighthouse and I had the chance to buy it, so I did.
“I’ve been doing this for 20 years and it has been the best time of my life. You haven’t had an adventure until you own a lighthouse.
‘A lighthouse is not for old people, and I’m getting to that point. It is an episode of my life. But I’m ready for the next chapter,” he explained.
