In 1932 the lighthouse was sold at public auction. After years of neglect the lighthouse began to deteriorate. In 2001 a group called the Keepers of Mispillion Lighthouse was formed to care for the light. A lawyer had promised to purchase the light for the group, but troubles arose in the negotiations. In the meantime fate intervened when lightning struck the tower and a fire destroyed the tower and gutted the house. The lighthouse was lost, or so it seemed. The burned remains of the light were secretly purchased by John and Sally Freeman who owned a building lot in Lewes’ Shipcarpenter Square, a neighborhood reserved for residences consisting of relocated historic structures. In 2005 they completed rebuilding the lighthouse using parts from the old building, proving the adage you can't keep a good lighthouse down!