135-Year-Old Virginia Lighthouse Listed for $995K

The Middle Ground Lighthouse, a historic structure in Newport News, Virginia, has been listed for sale at $995,000, marking its transition into a unique off-grid residence. This lighthouse, standing for 135 years in the Chesapeake Bay, was purchased by its current owners, two couples named Dan and Jackie Billingsley and Bob and Joan Gonsoulin, in 2005 for $31,000 at a government auction. The extensive renovation project was initiated after Bob Gonsoulin learned about the lighthouse being available at auction, drawing on the couples' background in off-grid living as ocean sailors. The transformation involved significant work to convert the maritime structure into a private retreat, ready to offer a new chapter for its future owner. The current owners hope the lighthouse will bring as much joy to a new proprietor as it has to them over their years of dedicated restoration. The property's journey from a functional beacon to a habitable dwelling highlights a significant commitment to preserving its historical integrity while adapting it for modern, self-sufficient living. The listing presents a rare opportunity to own a piece of maritime history with a distinctive off-grid lifestyle.