John Donahoo
John Donahoo was a lighthouse builder active in Maryland for much of the first half of the nineteenth century.
Biography
Little is known of Donahoo's life, but he appears to have been an active citizen in Havre de Grace, Maryland, for much of his career; he was an election judge and town commissioner, and served on the school board. He was also an active businessman, with concerns in fishing and real estate. As a builder, Donahoo attracted the attention of Stephen Pleasonton, Fifth Auditor of the United [States Treasury] and overseer of lighthouse construction for the government; Donahoo's prices were low and the quality of his work was good. Consequently, he was awarded the contracts for a dozen lighthouses in Maryland and Virginia. Seven of these still stand:- Pooles Island Light
- Concord Point Light
- Cove Point Light
- Point Lookout Light
- Turkey Point Light
- Piney Point Light
- Fishing Battery Light
- Thomas Point Light
- Fog Point Light
- Lazaretto Point Light
- Clay Island Light
- Watts Island Light – this was his only light built outside of Maryland
- Blakistone Island Light