Slideshow: 13 Scenic Lighthouses in America

Before defined ports and shipyards, mariners guided their ships to, well, any visible land. Eventually, to help these men see at night, cities built fires on hilltops to guide the ships and to alert sailors to dangers at sea. Centuries passed, and we slowly perfected the lighthouse.

Though lighthouses now are no longer lit by candlelight, and lighthouse-keeping has become an antiquated profession, there's still something about these marvelous towers that bring a sense of adventure and nostalgia. So in the spirit of exploration, we've rounded up 13 still-standing structures that once guided sailors home, and remain amazingly scenic today. See them here.