The original lighthouse here was built in 1785 believing that it was too high above sea level to be usable, it was abandoned and a new one was built. The name 'Needles' is supposed to come from a thin rock pinnacle that was a little north of the present central rock. This needle-shaped rock was a hundred and twenty feet and was called 'Lot's Wife'. In 1764 it collapsed into the sea so loudly that it was supposedly heard many miles away! The stump can still be seen at low tide although it forms a dangerous reef.
The present lighthouse, is near the base of the Needles group. The lighthouse was built in 1859 with the light eighty feet above the high tide mark and can be seen 14 miles away at sea. Alum Bay is also known for the early days of radio transmissions. The first wireless transmission was actually sent from here in 1897 by Gugielmo Marconi. A monument now stands and provides a detailed history of Marconi and the role played by Alum Bay.
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