Throughout the 18th century Newport, Rhode Island on Aquidneck Island developed into a center of maritime commerce. As ship traffic increased into the busy port, the need for a lighthouse became apparent. The harbor was protected by a small island, a half mile long and 200 yards wide, lying just offshore. Off the northern end of the island, a treacherous reef was a danger to all shipping entering the harbor. Lighthouse authorities decided to build a lighthouse to mark the reef lying off Goat Island in the early 1800’s.