Fort William Lighthouse on Dawson's Hill

Located on Dawson's Hill in the old town of Cape Coast, Ghana, the Fort William Lighthouse was built in 1820 under the supervision of British Governor Hope-Smith. Originally named Smith's Tower, the structure was designed to guide ships safely into Cape Coast harbor and support British colonial maritime operations. The building was reconstructed in the 1830s and renamed Fort William.

Although it is sometimes called Cape Coast Castle Light, the lighthouse is not part of the Cape Coast Castle complex. It is situated approximately 600 meters away from the castle. The site is recognized as part of the Forts and Castles of Ghana UNESCO World Heritage List site, which was inscribed in 1979 due to its historical significance in the transatlantic trade and colonial administration.

The lighthouse is a square stone tower with a white-painted exterior and a red lantern roof. It stands approximately 20 meters tall with a focal height of about 35 meters above sea level, providing a navigational range of roughly 10 nautical miles. The Ghana Museums & Monuments Board (GMMB) maintains the site, which houses staff offices and remains operational for visitors.

Visitors can explore the exterior of the lighthouse and view nearby cannons. The site also provides viewpoints offering panoramic views of the harbor and Cape Coast town.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons