Lighthouse

Lighthouse

A solitary beacon on the river—quietly protecting a city.

Perched on the banks of the Ohio River in Fort Thomas, Kentucky, this unusual lighthouse is more than a navigational aid—it’s the heart of Greater Cincinnati’s water supply. Officially known as the Cincinnati Water Works Intake Pier, locals affectionately call it the “Intake Castle.” Built in 1907, this Gothic-style tower stands as both a functional pumping station and a quiet guardian of the city.

While its structure recalls the romance of coastal lighthouses, its purpose is grounded in engineering brilliance. Two red lights flash every six seconds—warning barge traffic as the river curves toward downtown Cincinnati. Below the surface, an 85-foot-deep shaft connects to a 7-foot-wide tunnel carved into the riverbed rock, silently carrying water beneath the Ohio River to the Cincinnati purification station.

Though owned and operated by the Greater Cincinnati Water Works (GCWW), the decision to build on the Kentucky side allowed access to the deepest, most reliable water levels—making this placement both strategic and symbolic. To this day, the lighthouse provides 88% of the area’s water supply.

This piece is personal.
I’ve always loved lighthouses.
There’s only one in this entire region—and this is it. A quiet structure doing essential work, unnoticed by most, but utterly irreplaceable.

Lighthouse is a tribute to resilience, engineering beauty, and quiet strength. A beacon, not for ships—but for the lifeblood of a city.