In 1832, the first Lighthouse using a lens was established in Norway. That was Oksøy Lighthouse outside Kristiansand.
The lens was an invention by Augustin Fresnel from France, and Norway was the 3rd country in line to adopt this new technology.
The combination of an oil lamp and a lens made it easier to establish more lighthouses. The lens made it possible to send blinking signals at different intervals, and ultimately, each lighthouse had a specific character. The Skagen Lighthouse at Odden in Denmark was modernised, and in 1842, the coastal department decided to shut down the Markøy Lighthouse.
The buildings on Markøy Island were sold and moved. The Lighthouse inspector's house at Selhovden was moved to Lindesnes and made part of the assistant lighthouse keeper’s living quarters.
The coal-burning Markøy Lighthouse lay in ruins, and the lantern house vanished with all its contents. The foundation, however, was intact, including the air vents. Not everyone agreed to have only one Light at “the Naize”. Some demanded a return of the Light at Markøy Island until a new lighthouse was established at Lindesnes, but the Markøy Lighthouse remained extinguished.
Several proposals led to a temporary lighthouse solution in 1954. The upper floor of the coal-burning lighthouse was removed and replaced by a round wall of cast iron, including a beacon lantern house from the Næs Ironworks. A first-order Fresnel lens was placed inside it. In the dark hours of the night, the rotation made a steady light and a sharp blink of light every 60 seconds visible at sea.
A covered rail was built down the slope towards the buildings, and on it, a wagon would pull the clockwork weight that made the beacon light rotate.