Georgetown Lighthouse, Guyana

{{Infobox lighthouse

| image = Georgetown-Lighthouse.jpg

| location = Water Street, Georgetown, Guyana

| coordinates = {{coord|6.8236966|-58.1643569|region:GY-DE_type:landmark|display=inline,title}}

| yearbuilt = 1817 (first)

| yearlit = 1830

| automated = clockwork

| foundation = forty nine greenheart piles

| construction = stone tower

| shape = tapered octagonal tower with balcony and lantern

| marking = red and white vertical stripes

| height = {{convert|30|m|ft}}

| focalheight = {{convert|31.5|m|ft}}

| characteristic = Flash every 60s, red or white depending on direction.{{cite rowlett|guy|date=2009-01-12}}

}}

The Georgetown Lighthouse was first built by the Dutch in 1817 and then rebuilt in 1830 to help guide ships into the Demerara River from the Atlantic Ocean. The 31 m (103 feet) high octagonal structure is a famous Georgetown, Guyana landmark with its distinct vertical red and white stripes. The Lighthouse, located on Water Street, is maintained by the National Trust of Guyana.{{cite web|url=https://nationaltrust.gov.gy/history-of-georgetown/historic-kingston/ |title=Historic Kingston |accessdate=27 August 2020 | publisher=National Trust of Guyana}}

The brick structure was commissioned on 1 June 1830, when it replaced a wooden lighthouse that had been built on the same site by the Dutch. British engineers constructed the present lighthouse, reinforcing the building by placing it on a foundation of 49 greenheart piles, making it durable nearly 200 years later.

A floating light was placed at the Demerara bar in March 1838 and a system of signalling to the lighthouse was established. On 27 February 1838 a Committee of Pilotage was formed and entrusted with the signalling. Before establishment of the System of Signalling, a beacon had been erected on the East Coast Demerara and vessels entering had to contribute to the cost of constructing the beacon.

About a half mile east of Fort Groyne there was a block house which was used as a signal station for vessels arriving, and for signalling to Berbice. The coastal signalling was done by semaphore stations.

A steel balcony at the top of the Lighthouse offers a panoramic view of Georgetown and West Coast Demerara. You must climb 138 stairs to access the balcony.