Initially built to provide safe passage into Newport's colonial harbor, it was designed and built by Peter Harrison, "America's first architect," who later designed the Redwood library, Touro Synagogue and the brick market in Newport. Beavertail was the third lighthouse built in the American Colonies.

Until recently it was believed the first light tower was circular in shape. However, a 2008 ground penetrating radar survey determined it was octagonal, made of wood, that tower burned down in 1753.

A stone tower was built in 1753. in 1779, the British burned the tower as they departed Rhode Island and removed some of the lighting equipment.

In 1856, the present granite light tower was constructed farther from shore, the old stone tower was torn down and a fog signal building was built on the foundation.>p>This old foundation was hidden and forgotten until the great hurricane of 1938 destroyed the fog signal building, tore up the ground in front of the light tower, and uncovered it.

During World War II, the Rhode Island National Guard installed a searchlight, a mobile gun emplacement, and range finding equipment on top of the concrete cap. Later, an electrical fog light was placed on the cap.

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