In 1939, a service that managed these buildings was merged with the Coast Guard.  
John Smeaton designed a curved one of these things in 1759 that proved to be exceptionally stable.  Henry Winstanley was killed in a storm that also destroyed one of these things, the first of its kind to be built from timber which is named for Eddystone.  Gustaf Dalen's improvement of the sun valve allowed these things to run autonomously.  One of the first instances of the US Congress using its Commerce Clause powers was a 1789 act which provided funds for one of these things in (*) Cape Henry, Virginia.  One of these on the Navesink Highlands was the first in the US to use a Fresnel Lens.  In 1939, a service that managed these buildings was merged with the Coast Guard.  For 10 points, name these buildings, which include a 350-foot high one that was a Wonder of the Ancient World in Alexandria.
John Smeaton designed a curved one of these things in 1759 that proved to be exceptionally stable.  
lighthouses