So far,

Newport News Middle Ground has a bid of $16,000

Smith Point and Wolf Trap have bids of $25,000 a piece.

Thimble Shoal has a bid of $65,000

Any quesses who is trying to buy these?

Newport News Middle Ground...I'm wondering if Newport News Ship Building is bidding as I believe they own everything on both sides of the bridge on the Penisula side. What for don't know.

Thimble Shoals is sold at $65,000 there were 2 bidders on this one.

Newport News Middle Ground is sold at $31,000 there were 4 bidders.

Wolf Trap is still open for bids and stands at $70,000 there have been 4 bidders to date.

Smith Point is still open for bids and stands at $75,000 there have been 3 bidders so far.

The winners now have to come up with the balance of the bid within I believe 60 days. Bidders had user names so not sure who bid and who won.

A couple of bidders bid on more than one lighthouse.

Interesting - isn't Middle Ground the closest to shore of that group? ANd it had the low bid? It will be very interesting to see who the buyers are and what they plan to do with their acquisitions. Eric, do you know if there will be a covenant in the deed that requires restoration, upkeep and periodic opening to the public?

Dave, All work has to be approved by the state preservation officer, which can by the way, come visit at any time and of course the coast guard can come anytime to serve the light. Basically you can't make any real changes to the lighthouse. The new owner is NOT required to open the lighthouse to the public, of course I hope they will. (This was the info in the bid package).

I think that Wolf Trap and Smith Point are the better lighthouses because the house part is brick, the other two are metal.

As far as distance I recently saw all four from the shore and to me there isn't a big difference in distance for a boat trip out.

I had wanted to bid on Wolf Trap and open it for tours but did not have a lot of money to put to the project, the bids are far above what I could invest especially with all the restrictions and the fact I am here in Orlando.

Let's hope that whoever gets these have the time and money to keep them up and maybe open them for tours on occasion.

Bert

Wolf Trap is now sold at $75,000.
Smith Point is up to $80,000. The bids on this one seems to be between 2 bidders, who have deeper pockets then me. If no new bids it closes today, if one bid before 3:00 eastern time the auction stays going for another day (Monday).

Update.

Smith Point is now at $90,000.

Update: Smith Point - bid at $100,000

Usernames on the 2 bidders are Killer and Angel.

I hope Angel gets it.

bobo

Bobo, who know's, that just might be an "Angel in Disguise"!

The best view of NN Middle Ground (other than from boat of course) comes from the bridge running from the Monitor-Merrimack Bridge Tunnel; also known as I-664.

Steve

Yeah, and if the traffic is heavy, you have time to get a decent photo, but always best by boat...

This I took by boat 3 years a go.

And also just down the "road" is Thimble Shoal...


We'll be seeing both of these this week on our way down to OBX.

Judy

There's a road between the MM and the Chesapeake BBT?? :p

Steve

You can get a distance shot from Martin Luther King park (north side of river, just east of bridge-tunnel). The park has a new pier. It is the poorer side of town but Susan and I had no problems.

Smith Point bid now stands at $110,000.

Killer and Angel both bid again...bid up to $120,000 for Smith Point.

Haven't been over there in a while, but Willoughby Spit (Norfolk side at/near bridge used to be an upgrade from Ocean View (further east/inland), everything changes with time I guess. :rolleyes:

Steve

Steve, that may still be a good view. I did not go that location.

Update on Smith Point...Well the Angel may have fallen as an earlier bidder "Trimac" comes back and the bid is now $135,000 (Wolf Trap the sister lighthouse went for only $75,000). AMAZING!

Smith Point update - Angel is back and the bid is up to $155,000. Now the price is twice that of Wolf Trap.

Final bid on Smith Point $170,000 by trimac.

Here is an article about the whole thing:


Going ... going ... going ... gone

Got an email one day a week ago or so from the new owner of Wolf Trap. He had read this thread and since I made mention Wolf Trap by name, he knew I had an interest. His name is Nick Korstad, and is a lighthouse fan and his plan is to open the lighthouse for tours. He does face a few problems, one is financing. I thought this might be a problem and made some suggestions. After talking to many banks and credit unions, he may have a bank who will do it. The coast guard also let him know there is a section of roof that needs to be fixed as it is leaking. Nick wants to get this done before winter, it will be his 1st priority.

A very interesting and amusing article, Bryan. I liked the author's style in writing it. One very interesting point is that Eric's new friend Nick is from Oregon. Boy is he going to have some commuting to do! Hope he is successful in his efforts. I think there would be an interest among hard core lighthouse lovers to visit an offshore light like Wolf Trap, and especially if they had the opportunity to overnight. Good luck to him in his efforts.

I forgot, Nick plans to move to Virginia once he has the deed to the lighthouse.

CNN Headline News had a blurb a while ago on the sale of the four Virginia lighthouses you all discussed a few days ago. They showed Newport News and said that it sold for $41,000 (maybe I didn't hear right?); they mentioned that a second one (no name) sold for $75,000 (Wolf Trap?), didn't name the third at all (Thimble Shoal?), and said that Smith Point finally sold for $170,000. It's gratifying to see lighthouse happenings on the news from time to time.

Just heard the headline on the Virginia lighthouses again. They did say that Newport News sold for $31,000.

Final prices were:

31,000 Newport News Middle Ground
65,000 Thimble Shoals
75,000 Wolf Trap
170,000 Smith Point

Nick, the owner of Wolf Trap has said the lighthouse will be open for tours.

Hey everyone. Im the person whom is purchasing the Wolf Trap light. I honestly have thousands of ideas for the station. Once restoration begins, it will be open to the public. Im tossing a bed and breakfast idea. First off, power, water and sewer will be my top priorities. If anyone has any good ideas, pass them along. At 24, I have been to 135+ lighthouses and have done alot of research, but am always seeking veteran patrons. Since I live in Seattle, Im going to need to have a winter caretaker...if anyone is interested, let me know. I will place you on a list. ...lemme see....well, I will post more later!

Congrats on your acquisition Wolf Trap! We'll be anxiously awaiting additional news of your restoration progress and invitation to visit.
Bob