Lighthouses of Upstate New York

Rich in waterways, the U.S. state of New York is equally rich in lighthouses. This page includes the lighthouses of upstate New York, including Lakes Erie and Ontario, the St. Lawrence River, Lake Champlain, and the state's inland waterways system. Another page, for downstate New York, includes lighthouses of the Atlantic Ocean, Long Island Sound, the New York City area, and the Hudson River.

Although there is no state lighthouse preservation society in New York, there are many regional and local preservation groups. Upstate, lighthouse preservation efforts are particularly strong at Buffalo and at several locations on Lakes Ontario and Erie. The lighthouses of Lake Champlain and the St. Lawrence River, however, are less well known and somewhat neglected; many of them are in private hands.

ARLHS numbers are from the ARLHS World List of Lights. USCG numbers for Lake Champlain lighthouses are from Volume I of the USCG Light List; for the St. Lawrence River and the Lakes Erie and Ontario the numbers are from Volume VII.

General Sources
New York Lighthouses
Photos, travel directions, and historical accounts by Kraig Anderson.
Lighthouses in New York, United States
Aerial photos posted by Marinas.com.
Lighthouses of Lake Ontario and Lighthouses of Lake Erie
Part of William Britten's Lighthouse Getaway site. Photos and brief accounts of more than a dozen lighthouses.
Lighthouses of Lake Ontario and Lighthouses of Lake Erie
Photographs and accounts of visits by Rudy and Alice Rico.
Lighthouses of New York
Photos and accounts by Bryan Penberthy, covering only the lights of Lakes Erie and Ontario.
Coast Guard Lighthouses - New York
Historic photos and notes posted by the U.S. Coast Guard Historian's office.
Leuchttürme USA auf historischen Postkarten
Historic postcard images of U.S. lighthouses posted by Klaus Huelse.
National Maritime Inventory - New York
Inventory of New York lighthouse data.
Lighthouses of Jefferson County, New York
This site has some good information on several lighthouses of lower Lake Ontario and the upper St. Lawrence.
Lake Erie Lighthouses
Excellent photos by Karl Josker.


Sodus Bay Light, October 2006
Creative Commons photo copyright Howard Owens


Oswego Harbor West Pierhead Light, September 2006
anonymous Creative Commons photo

Lake Champlain Lighthouses (see also Vermont)
Note: Located on the border between New York and Vermont, Lake Champlain is part of an international waterway connecting the St. Lawrence and Hudson Rivers. The lake drains northward to the St. Lawrence through the Richelieu River, and it is connected to the Hudson by the Champlain Canal.
** Champlain Memorial (Crown Point) (2)
1912 (station established 1859). Inactive since 1926. 55 ft (17 m) granite memorial with six columns surrounding a round cylindrical brick light tower. Mounted on the base of the lighthouse are bronze sculptures of Samuel de Champlain, a Native American and a French voyageur. This building replaced an 1858 brick tower. The original 1-1/2 story brick keeper's house, formerly attached, was demolished in 1926. The Library of Congress has a photo of the original lighthouse as it appeared about 1910, Huelse has a historic postcard view, and the Coast Guard has a photo showing the light station as it appeared with the keeper's house from 1912 to 1926. Anderson has an excellent page for the lighthouse, Catherine New has a 2007 photo, David Manthey has a photo taken from the lake, and Google has a satellite view. In June 2004 the state announced funding to restore the lighthouse in time for the 400th anniversary of Champlain's 1609 exploration of the Lake. The restoration began in 2008 and was completed in July 2009; the lighthouse was rededicated in a ceremony on September 18. Located on the point of land just southeast of the Champlain Bridge (NY/VT 17), adjacent to the Crown Point State Historic Site and within the campground of the Crown Point historic area. Site open (entry fee to campground), tower open daily mid May to mid October. Owner/site manager: N.Y. State Department of Environmental Conservation. ARLHS USA-207.
Barber's Point
1873. Inactive since 1935. 36 ft (11 m) octagonal cylindrical wood tower with lantern and gallery, mounted on a 2-story limestone and wood Empire-style keeper's house. Light tower and upper story of the house painted white with black trim; lantern roof is black. The modern light is on a square cylindrical skeletal tower (1935; focal plane 72 ft (22 m); white flash every 4 s). Sibling of Colchester Reef VT. Anderson has a page with good photos, Robert English has a photo, and Google has a satellite view. Located on Barber Point, at the end of Barber Road off Dudley Road (county road 22G) south of Westport. Site and tower closed (private residence). Owner/site manager: private. ARLHS USA-036; USCG 1-39840.
Split Rock Point (2)
1867 (station established 1835). Reactivated (inactive 1928-2003); focal plane 93 ft (28 m); white flash every 4 s. 39 ft (12 m) octagonal limestone tower with lantern and gallery, attached to a 1-1/2 story wood keeper's house (1899). Tower is unpainted gray stone, lantern painted white with a gray roof. The keeper's house has been a private residence since 1931; it has been expanded and modernized. Google has a satellite view. The light was moved to a red square pyramidal skeletal tower in 1928, but on March 19, 2003, the Coast Guard returned the light to the lighthouse. David Manthey has a panoramic photo of the light station showing both towers. Located on Split Rock Point south of Essex. Site and tower closed (private summer residence). Owner/site manager: private. ARLHS USA-784; USCG 1-39810.
** Bluff Point (Valcour Island)
1874. Reactivated (inactive 1930-2004); focal plane 95 ft (29 m); white flash every 4 s. 35 ft (12 m) octagonal cylindrical frame tower with lantern and gallery, mounted on a 2-story limestone and wood Empire-style keeper's house. The light tower and the upper story of the house are covered with red shingles; lower story is unpainted gray stone; lantern and gallery painted white. 300 mm solar-powered lens. Sibling of Barber's Point. Anderson has a fine page for the light station, Marinas.com has aerial photos, the Coast Guard has a historic photo, and Google has a fuzzy satellite view. In 1930 the active light was moved to a black square pyramidal skeletal tower. In 2001, a state grant supported interior repairs to the lighthouse. The light was returned to the lighthouse on November 16, 2004. Located on the west shore of Valcour Island, a tiny part of Adirondack State Park, south of Plattsburgh. Accessible only by boat; the Champlain Valley Transportation Museum offers boat transportation to the island on summer weekends. Site open, tower open Sunday afternoons between July 1 and Labor Day. Owner: New York State Parks. Site manager: Clinton County Historical Association. ARLHS USA-065; USCG 1-39470.
Cumberland Head (2)
1868 (station established 1838). Reactivated (inactive 1934-2003); focal plane 75 ft (23 m); red flash every 4 s. 50 ft (15 m) round limestone tower with lantern and gallery, attached to a 2-story limestone keeper's quarters; lantern painted black. Marinas.com has aerial photos, Huelse has a historic postcard view, and Google has a satellite view. The station was abandoned and heavily vandalized when Joseph and Rose Church bought it in 1948; they restored the buildings and lived on the site for nearly 50 years. Lighthouse Digest printed a history of the light station in 1996, when it was for sale. The light was moved back to the tower in March 2003 after being on a skeletal tower nearby for 69 years. Located on the Cumberland Head peninsula east of Plattsburgh. Visible from the Plattsburgh-Grand Isle VT ferry (NY/VT 314). Site and tower closed (private residence). Owner/site manager: private. ARLHS USA-211; USCG 1-39380.
Point Aux Roches
1858. Inactive since 1989. 50 ft (15 m) octagonal limestone block tower with lantern and gallery. Tower unpainted; lantern painted black. The 1-1/2 story wood keeper's quarters, formerly attached, has been relocated nearby as a private residence. Anderson has a page with good photos, John Kulpa has provided a photo, Ferris has a closeup photo, the Coast Guard has a historic photo, and Huelse has a historic postcard view. The masonry in the tower deteriorated, leading the Coast Guard to abandon it in 1989. The light was moved to a buoy offshore (USCG 1-39250). The tower remains in Coast Guard ownership. The Town of Beekmantown has expressed interest in leasing it for preservation, and the Lake Champlain Basin Program granted funds for an engineering study. Located on Point Aux Roches Road on the New York shore south of Isle la Motte, Vermont. Owner/site manager: U.S. Coast Guard (tower) and a private landowner (keeper's house). ARLHS USA-614.

St. Lawrence River Lighthouses (see also Southeastern Ontario)
Note: The St. Lawrence River flows along the border between the U.S. and Canada for the first 120 mi (190 km) of its course as it leaves Lake Ontario. The river is part of an international waterway, the St. Lawrence Seaway, connecting the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean. Aids to navigation on the U.S. portion of the Seaway are maintained by the St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation.
Ogdensburg Harbor (2)
1870 (station established 1834). Inactive since the 1960s. 65 ft (20 m) square cylindrical limestone tower with lantern and gallery, attached to 1-1/2 story stone and frame keeper's house. The upper part of the tower (an extension added in 1900) is painted white, while the original lower portion is unpainted gray stone; lantern painted red. Anderson has good photos, Huelse has a historic postcard view, and Google has a satellite view. In June 2007, there was a brief flurry of concern when the owner, Blair Roethel, applied for a permit to demolish the lighthouse. Apparently this was part of an elaborate struggle between Roethel and the city council over taxes and development rules for waterfront property. Roethel has stated that he will not demolish the light and that he intends to maintain and restore it. He also established a web site for the lighthouse. Located at Lighthouse Point, 1 Jackson Street, on the St. Lawrence in Ogdensburg. There's a good view from the foot of Riverside Drive on the other (east) side of the Oswegatchie River. Site and tower closed (no visitors permitted). Owner/site manager: private. ARLHS USA-562.
Crossover Island (2)
1882 (station established 1848). Inactive since 1941. 30 ft (9 m) round cast iron tower with lantern and gallery. Tower painted white, lantern red. 1-1/2 story Queen Anne style frame keeper's quarters (1848). Oil house and other buildings also preserved. Lighthouse is a sibling of Ten Pound Island MA. Pete Amass has a photo of the island; the modern post light (focal plane 28 ft (8.5 m); red flash every 4 s) can be seen in the river in front of the keeper's house. Anderson has a good page for the lighthouse, and the Coast Guard has a historic photo. The light station is a private summer residence. The island and light station were sold in 2002 for $465,000; Lighthouse Digest carried a feature story on new owner John Urtis. Located near the international boundary in the middle of the St. Lawrence north of Chippewa Bay. Visible from NY 12 scenic overlook east of Chippewa Bay. Owner/site manager: private. ARLHS USA-206; Notmar (Canadian) 345; USCG 7-1195.
Sisters Island
1870. Inactive since 1959. 60 ft (18 m) square cylindrical limestone brick tower with lantern and gallery, rising from one side of a 1-1/2 story limestone keeper's house; lantern painted white with a red roof. Anderson has good photos. Privately owned. Located on Sisters Island in the St. Lawrence off Schermerhorn Landing, about 2.5 miles (4 km) southwest of Chippewa Bay. Visible from NY 12 about 6 miles (10 km) east of Alexandria Bay. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. Owner/site manager: private. ARLHS USA-1053.
Sunken Rock (Alexandria Bay)
1884. Active (maintained by the Seaway authority); focal plane 28 ft (8.5 m); green flash every 2.5 s. 30 ft (9 m) round cast iron tower with lantern and gallery, original 6° Fresnel lens converted to solar power. Tower painted white, lantern green. Lighthouse is a sibling of Ten Pound Island MA. Jacob Shemkovitz's photo is at right, Britten has a fine photo, Marinas.com has aerial photos, and Google has a satellite view. Located on an artificial island in the St. Lawrence north of Alexandria Bay. Accessible only by boat. Good views from the waterfront in Alexandria Bay or from river cruises. Site and tower closed. Owner/site manager: St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation. ARLHS USA-828; USCG 7-1335.
Rock Island (2)
1882 (station established 1847). Inactive since 1956 (a decorative white light is displayed). 50 ft (15 m): 30 ft (9 m) round cast iron tower with lantern and gallery, a sibling of Ten Pound Island MA, raised atop a 20 ft (6 m) round brick tower in 1903. Entire tower painted white. 2-story frame keeper's quarters (1882), steel generator house (1900), and other buildings; an unusually well preserved light station. Anderson has a fine page for the lighthouse, a good photo is available, Marinas.com has aerial photos, Huelse has a historic postcard view, the Coast Guard has a historic photo, and Google has a satellite view. Local summer residents have supported the lighthouse informally over the years, and in 2000 the Rock Island Lighthouse Historical and Memorial Association was formed to publicize the history of the station, encourage preservation of the light station, and promote better public access. Located on an island in the St. Lawrence between Fisher's Landing and Thousand Island Park, southwest of Alexandria Bay. Accessible only by boat. Tour boats from Clayton often pass the island. Site and tower open in season. Owner/site manager: New York State Parks. ARLHS USA-697.

Sunken Rock Light, July 2006
Creative Commons photo by Jacob Shemkovitz
* Clayton
1961. Active (unofficial; maintained by the town); focal plane 18 ft (5.5 m); continuous white light. 15 ft (4.5 m) round granite tower with lantern; unpainted. This lighthouse was built by the local American Legion post as a memorial for local veterans of all wars. Located adjacent to the town docks on Riverside Drive at John Street in downtown Clayton, five blocks north of NY 12. Site open, tower closed. Owner/site manager: Town of Clayton.
* Cape Vincent Breakwater
1900. Inactive since 1934. Short, square concrete block tower (now covered with white aluminum siding) with lantern and gallery. Lantern painted black. Formerly mounted at the end of the breakwater, the lighthouse was relocated to the grounds of the town hall in 1951. The Coast Guard has a historic photo of the light on the breakwater, and Anderson has excellent current photos, and Google has a satellite view. Located beside NY 12E (Market Street) near Stone Quarry Road at the southern entrance to Cape Vincent. Site open, tower closed. Owner/site manager: Village of Cape Vincent. ARLHS USA-141.

Eastern Lake Ontario Lighthouses
*** Tibbett's Point (2)
1854 (station established 1827). Active; focal plane 69 ft (21 m); white light occulting every 10 s. 59 ft (18 m) round cylindrical stucco-clad brick tower with lantern and gallery; original 4° Fresnel lens. Tower painted white, lantern black. 2-1/2 story keeper's house (1880) and 1-story brick fog signal building (1895). The steam-powered diaphone fog signal (1927) has been preserved in operational condition, although it is no longer used. A photo is at right, Anderson has great photos and historical information, Marinas.com has aerial photos, the Coast Guard has a historic aerial photo, Huelse has a historic postcard view, and Google has a good satellite view. This very well-preserved light station features one of the first masonry lighthouses built by the Lighthouse Board and the only operational Fresnel lens on Lake Ontario. The keeper's house is leased to Hostelling International as a youth hostel, but the rest of the station is leased to the Tibbetts Point Lighthouse Society. The society works for restoration of the tower and maintains a lighthouse museum (1993) on site. An exterior restoration was completed in 1999. Located southwest of Cape Vincent at the point where the St. Lawrence River flows out of Lake Ontario. Site and museum open daily in the summer; hostel operates mid-May to mid-October; tower closed. Owner: Village of Cape Vincent. Site managers: Tibbetts Point Lighthouse Society and Tibbetts Point Lighthouse Hostel. ARLHS USA-848; Admiralty H2836; USCG 7-1735.
East Charity Shoal
1877 (relocated in 1935 from Vermillion, Ohio). Active; focal plane 52 ft (16 m); white flash every 4 s. 40 ft (12 m): 30 ft (9 m) octagonal cast iron tower with lantern and gallery, atop a 1-story octagonal concrete base, mounted on a concrete caisson. Modern solar-powered lens (1992). The Coast Guard has a historic photo; Anderson has a more distant photo and good historical information. This light was refurbished and relocated from Vermillion, Ohio, where it had been damaged severely in a storm in 1929. In September 2009 the lighthouse was sold for $25,501 to Cyrena Nolan of Dallas, Texas. She says she hopes to refurbish it as a vacation cottage. Located in Lake Ontario about 7 mi (11 km) southwest of Tibbetts Point. Accessible only by boat; the lighthouse can be seen with binoculars from Tibbett's Point Light. Site and tower closed. Owner/site manager: private. ARLHS USA-970; USCG 7-1760.
Sackets Harbor (Sackett's Harbor, Horse Island) (2)
1870 (station established 1831). Inactive since 1957. 70 ft (21 m) square cylindrical brick tower with lantern and gallery, attached to a 1-1/2 story keeper's house. Formerly painted white, the tower is reverting to red brick; lantern painted red. Sibling of the Stony Point (Henderson) Light. Mark Wentling has posted historic photos, Lighthouse Digest has a May 2004 feature on life at the light station, and Google has a satellite view. The light station was sold to Carl Martin in 1957, and the Martin family continues to maintain it as a summer residence. The active light (focal plane 57 ft (17 m); white flash every 2.5 s) was moved to a skeletal tower. Located on Horse Island just west of Sackets Harbor. Site and tower closed, but the lighthouse is visible from the nearby Sackets Harbor Battlefield State Historic Site. Owner/site manager: private. ARLHS USA-380; USCG 7-1850.

Tibbett's Point Light, May 2007
anonymous Creative Commons photo
Galloo Island (2)
1867 (station established 1829). Active; focal plane 58 ft (17.5 m); white flash every 6 s. 55 ft (16.5 m) round limestone tower with lantern and gallery, attached to a 1-1/2 story limestone keeper's house. Anderson has an excellent page for the lighthouse, Lighthouse Digest has an article on the history of the station, the Coast Guard has a historic photo, and the shadow of the tower is prominent in a Google satellite view. In 2000 the U.S. General Services Administration sold the lighthouse at auction after no public agency came forward to accept it. The owners, Anthony and Cara Divnah, put the property back on the market in 2002 with an asking price of $295,000. There were no takers, but in November 2005 the lighthouse sold on eBay for $205,100. Located at the southwest end of Galloo Island, about 12 mi (20 km) west of Henderson Harbor. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. Owner/site manager: private. ARLHS USA-314; USCG 7-2000.
* Stony Point (Henderson) (2)
1869 (station established 1830). Inactive since 1945. 73 ft (22 m) square cylindrical tower with lantern and gallery, attached to 1-1/2 story keeper's house. Tower painted white, lantern black. This is one of two Stony Point Lights in New York; see under Hudson River Lighthouses on the Downstate page for the other one. Penberthy has a closeup photo, and Google has a satellite view. Anderson also has good photos, including one that shows a skeletal tower used for some years after the lighthouse was closed. Foundations of the original (1830) lighthouse are visible. The lighthouse was repaired after being damaged by fire in 1966. Privately owned; the lighthouse was sold in 2002 for $272,500. The new owners, Willie and Sherry Faust, have replaced the roof and made other renovations to restore a more authentic appearance to the building. Located at the end of Lighthouse Road west of Henderson. Site and tower closed, but there's an excellent view from the road. Owner/site manager: private. ARLHS USA-814.
** Selkirk (Port Ontario, Salmon River)
1838 (Jabez Meacham). Reactivated (inactive 1858-1989; now privately maintained); focal plane 50 ft (15 m); white flash every 2 s. 32 ft (10 m) octagonal red-shingled tower with lantern and gallery, mounted on the roof of a 2-1/2 story fieldstone keeper's house; 190 mm lens. The tower still has its original (and very rare) birdcage lantern. C.W. Bash's photo is at right, Anderson has a fine page for the lighthouse, Britten has a fine photo, Huelse has a historic postcard view, and Google has a satellite view. An architectural treasure, this is one of the oldest "integral" lighthouses in the country, and it is the oldest one surviving without significant modification. Privately restored beginning in 1987, the building is now a guest house (operates April through November) with accommodations available by the day or week. In 2003, the owners placed the property for sale for $1.25 million. There were no takers, so the owners hired new managers who have renovated and improved the property while preserving the lighthouse. Located on Lake Road (county route 5) adjacent to the Lighthouse Marina on the north side of the entrance to the Salmon River in Selkirk. Site open, tower open by appointment. Owner/site manager: Salmon River Lighthouse Marina. ARLHS USA-719; USCG 7-2015.

Selkirk Light, April 2006
Creative Commons photo copyright C.W. Bash

Southern Lake Ontario Lighthouses
Oswego Harbor West Pierhead (2)
1934 (station established 1880). Active; focal plane 57 ft (17.5 m); flash every 5 s, alternating red and white. Approx. 40 ft (12 m) square cylindrical metal tower with lantern and gallery, rising from one corner of a 1-story keeper's house, mounted on a stone caisson-like foundation at the end of the pier. The original 4th order Fresnel lens is on display at the H. Lee White Marine Museum adjacent to the pier. Buildings painted white with red roofs. Fog horn (blast every 30 s). A photo is at the top of this page, Anderson has a comprehensive page for the lighthouse, Lighthouse Digest has an article on the history of the station, Marinas.com has aerial photos, Robert Yasinsak has posted photos from a visit inside the tower, the Coast Guard has a historic photo, and Google has a good satellite view. In 2006, the lighthouse was offered for transfer under NHLPA, and city officials worked with the H. Lee White Marine Museum to acquire the lighthouse. The deed was transferred to the city in May 2009. Located at the end of West First Street in downtown Oswego. Good view from the city's Bretbeck Park. Site and tower closed. Owner/site manager: City of Oswego. ARLHS USA-571; USCG 7-2080.
* Sodus Outer (Sodus Bay West Pier) (2)
1938 (station established 1901). Active; focal plane 51 ft (15.5 m); white light, 3 s on, 3 s off. 49 ft (15 m) square cast iron tower with lantern and gallery, mounted on concrete and stone pier; solar-powered lens. Tower painted white; lantern has a red roof. The old Sodus Bay Light served as the keeper's quarters. Anderson and Britten have great photos, Marinas.com has aerial photos, and Google has a satellite view. This lighthouse replaced a square wood tower. Located at the Sodus Bay entrance in Sodus Point east of the old Sodus Point light. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. Owner/site manager: U.S. Coast Guard. ARLHS USA-765; USCG 7-2170.
**** Sodus Bay (Sodus Point) (2)
1871 (station established 1825). Inactive since 1901. 45 ft (14 m) square cylindrical limestone tower with lantern and gallery, attached to 2-1/2 story limestone keeper's house, which remained in service as the keeper's house for Sodus Outer Light. A rare 3-1/2° Fresnel lens has been mounted in the tower since 1984, and a fog bell is displayed on the grounds. Tower unpainted, lantern and gallery painted black. Howard Owens's photo is at the top of this page, and Anderson has a great page for the lighthouse. This lighthouse is very similar to the classic "schoolhouse" lighthouses of the upper Great Lakes. The keeper's house, expanded by a 2-story frame addition in 1900, remained in service as the keeper's house for Sodus Outer Light. Used for Coast Guard housing until 1984, the building is now a lighthouse museum operated by the Sodus Bay Historical Society. The grounds are a 4-acre (1.6 ha) public park used for concerts in the summer. Located on the lakeshore off NY 14 in Sodus Point. Site open year-round, museum and tower open daily except Mondays May through October. Owner: Town of Sodus Point. Site manager: Sodus Bay Lighthouse and Museum. ARLHS USA-766.
* [Rochester Harbor (Genesee River) West Pierhead (6)]
1995 (station established 1838). Active; focal plane 40 ft (12 m); white flash every 4 s. 35 ft (10.5 m) round cylindrical "D9" tower, painted white with a narrow red band. Google has a satellite view. The original wooden light was lost in a storm in 1853; it was replaced in 1854 by another wooden light, then in in 1881 by a cast iron tower carrying the lantern and lens from the Port of Genesee Light. In 1884 that tower was relocated to the Cleveland, Ohio, West Breakwater; it was replaced by a larger cast iron tower shown in a U.S. Coast Guard photo and Huelse's postcard view. The 1884 lighthouse was replaced in 1931 by a square skeletal tower carrying a fog signal enclosure with a light on the roof; there is a 1985 photo showing this structure. The 1931 light tower is reported to have been moved to the Rochester Gas and Electric Company's Russell Station generating plant, about 2.5 km (1.5 mi) west of the pier, but we cannot confirm its presence there. The Ricos also have historical information and a closeup photo. Located at the end of the breakwater off the west side of the Genesee River entrance in Rochester; visible from Ontario Beach Park at the foot of Lake Avenue. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. Owner/site manager: U.S. Coast Guard. ARLHS USA-322; USCG 7-2320.
** Genesee (Charlotte-Genesee)
1822. Inactive since 1881 (a decorative light has been displayed since 1984); focal plane 45 ft (14 m). 40 ft (12 m) octagonal rubblestone tower with lantern and gallery; 4° Fresnel lens on loan from the Coast Guard since 1984. Tower unpainted, lantern painted black. The 2-1/2 story red brick keeper's house (1863) now serves as the Charlotte-Genesee Lighthouse Museum. The lantern room is a replica (1984) built by students at Edison Tech High School (Huelse has a historic postcard view of the old tower without a lantern, and the Coast Guard has a historic photo). C.W. Bash's photo is at right, a history by Thomas Moriarty is available. Marinas.com has aerial photos, and Google has a satellite view. This the oldest U.S. Lake Ontario lighthouse and an outstanding example of old-style stone construction. It is also the oldest building in Monroe County. The keeper's house remained in service for many years after the lighthouse was deactivated; even after area lights were automated it provided a residence for the local Coast Guard commander. A letter-writing campaign by high school students saved the light tower in 1965 when there was a proposal to demolish it. The property was declared surplus in 1981 and transferred to Monroe County in 1983. The Fresnel lens was originally installed at the Lorain Harbor Light in Ohio, and in 2007 the preservation group restoring that light demanded its return. The Coast Guard has ruled that the lens will remain where it is through the end of the present lease in 2011. Located on Lighthouse Street, near the Lake Avenue exit from the Lake Ontario Parkway, in the Charlotte section of Rochester. Site open (free), museum and tower open Saturday and Sunday afternoons May through October (donations accepted). Owner: Monroe County. Site manager: Charlotte-Genesee Lighthouse Historical Society. ARLHS USA-320.

Charlotte-Genesee Light, October 2006
Creative Commons photo copyright C.W. Bash
Braddock Point
1899. Reactivated (inactive 1954-1999); focal plane 55 ft (17 m); white light, 3 s on, 3 s off. 50 ft (15 m) octagonal red brick tower with a modern "watch" room topped by a small cupola-style lantern. The 2-1/2 story red brick keeper's house has been a private residence since 1957. Originally 97 ft (30 m) tall, the tower was truncated to about 40 ft (12 m) by the Coast Guard due to structural damage. The private owners added the new room and lantern atop the stub of the old tower. The Ricos have historical information and report this light was reactivated on February 28, 1999. The Coast Guard has a historic photo showing the original appearance of the lighthouse, and Huelse has a historic postcard view. It was similar to Southeast Block Island Light (RI) and to the former Cleveland Light in Ohio, and in fact the lantern and lens from Cleveland were used here until 1954. Located at Bogus Point, 3 miles (5 km) west of Braddock Point, off the Lake Ontario State Parkway at Lighthouse Road, northwest of Rochester. Site and tower closed (private residence). Owner/site manager: private. ARLHS USA-075; USCG 7-2350.
* [Oak Orchard Harbor]
1871. Inactive since 1905. The lighthouse, a 32 ft (10.5 m) frame tower at the end of a breakwater, was destroyed in December 1916 by storms that also washed out the breakwater. The original keeper's house survives as a private residence on Archbald Road in Oak Orchard on the Lake. In 2003 the Oak Orchard Harbor Light Committee was formed to build a replica of the lighthouse at the mouth of the harbor at Point Breeze. In 2004 the state approved these plans and chartered the Oak Orchard Lighthouse Museum to operate the proposed lighthouse. In April 2006 the committee hired Chatfield Engineers to design and supervise the construction of the replica lighthouse. Construction bids were opened in August 2009, but the Committee was stunned to find them almost double the architect's estimates. ARLHS USA-559.
** Thirty Mile Point
1875. Reactivated (inactive 1959-1998, now maintained by the state); focal plane 60 ft (18 m); white flash every 10 s. 61 ft (18.5 m) square cylindrical limestone tower with lantern and gallery, attached to a 2-story limestone keeper's quarters. Lantern black with a red roof; watch room white. The brick fog signal building (1935) is used as a campground recreation area. Two oil houses and other light station buildings. Penberthy has great photos, LockportNY.com has a good web page on the lighthouse, Marinas.com has aerial photos, the Coast Guard has a historic photo, and Google has a satellite view. A local group, Friends of Thirty Mile Point Lighthouse, works for renovation and preservation of the light station. The keeper's house includes three apartments available for vacation rental. Located at Thirty Mile Point, off Lower Lake Road near Somerset. Site open, lighthouse and tower open for tours 2-4 pm Friday through Monday in the summer. Owner: New York State Parks (Golden Hill State Park). Site manager: Friends of Thirty Mile Point Lighthouse. ARLHS USA-844; USCG 7-2395.
* Olcott (2)
2003 (replica of 1873 lighthouse). Inactive; station inactive since 1932. 27 ft (8 m) square pyramidal wood tower with lantern. Lighthouse painted white, lantern black. The original lighthouse was relocated to the Olcott Yacht Club, where it stood until demolished in 1963. The lighthouse was similar to many Canadian "pepperpot" lighthouses, but there are no surviving examples in the U.S. The replica was built by volunteers, based on photographs of the original. Located at the end of Lockport Street (extension of NY 78) in Olcott, about 12 miles (19 km) west of Thirty Mile Point. Site open, tower closed. Owner: Town of Olcott. Site manager: Olcott Beach Lighthouse Society. ARLHS USA-1050.
*** Fort Niagara (3)
1872 (station established 1781). Inactive since 1993. 61 ft (18.5 m) (increased from 50 ft (15 m) in 1900) octagonal limestone tower with lantern and gallery, attached to a limestone workroom; lantern and gallery painted black. The original 4° Fresnel lens is mounted in the tower. The 2-story wood keeper's house is now used as a museum and gift shop. C.W. Bash's photo is at right, Anderson has excellent photos, Brian Piltz has a nice photo, Huelse has a historic postcard view, the Coast Guard has a historic photo, and Google has a satellite view. The first light was established in 1781 by British forces and discontinued in 1796 when the fort was ceded to the U.S. The American light station was established in 1823. The current lighthouse has an unusual design, which may be patterned after the much older Buffalo Main Light. The lighthouse was deactivated in 1993 because trees blocked boaters' view of its light. Located near the entrance of Fort Niagara State Historic Site at the mouth of the Niagara River, off NY 18F and the Robert Moses State Parkway. Site and museum open daily. Owner: U.S. Coast Guard. Site manager: Old Fort Niagara Association. ARLHS USA-294.
Fort Niagara Light
Fort Niagara Light, October 2006
Creative Commons photo copyright C.W. Bash
* Fort Niagara (4)
1993 (station established 1781). Active; focal plane 80 ft (24 m); white light occulting every 4 s. Approx. 72 ft (22 m) square skeletal tower. No photo available, but Google has a satellite view. Located on the point of land at the entrance to the Niagara River, about 800 ft (250 m) west of the historic lighthouse. Site open, tower closed. USCG 7-2485.

Buffalo Area and Lake Erie Lighthouses
Grand Island Range Front
1917. Inactive since 1931. 36 ft (11 m) white octagonal wood tower with frame lantern and gallery. Tower painted white; the lantern roof is blue with a gold ventilator ball. Google has a satellite view. This light has a complicated history. The lighthouse was sold and relocated when it was deactivated in 1931, and the rear range light, a skeletal tower, has since been relocated to the Dunkirk Light (see below). After standing for a number of years near the Bedell House Hotel, the front lighthouse was sold and relocated a second time. The new location was later purchased by the Buffalo Launch Club. The club restored the lighthouse in 2004, and it is in good condition today. Located in Ferry Village at the foot of Bush Road on the Tonawanda Channel, on the southeastern side of Grand Island. Site is private, although polite visitors are usually tolerated; tower closed. Owner/site manager: Buffalo Launch Club. ARLHS USA-1047.
* Buffalo Main (2)
1833 (station established 1818). Inactive since 1914 (since 1987 a decorative light has been displayed). 61 ft (18.5 m) octagonal limestone tower with lantern and gallery, 4° bivalve Fresnel lens (1903; transferred from South Buffalo light). The 3° Chance Brothers Fresnel lens used here in 1905-1914 and at the Outer Breakwater Light (below) in 1914-1958 is now displayed by the Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society. Keeper's house demolished. Doug Kerr's photo is at right, Anderson has good photos, Marinas.com has aerial photos, the Coast Guard has a historic photo, Huelse has a historic postcard view, and Google has a satellite view. A historic and beautifully restored lighthouse. In late 2007, Congress passed legislation transferring the lighthouse and 20 acres of waterfront from the Coast Guard to the city, and providing $3.1 million for development of a lakefront park. Located on the South Pier Promenade at the mouth of the Buffalo River (the western end of the Eire Canal), off the Buffalo Skyway (NY 5) at Fuhrmann Boulevard. Formerly on Coast Guard property, the site was been closed to the public in recent years but it has recently reopened. Site open, tower closed. Owner: City of Buffalo. Site manager: Buffalo Lighthouse Association. ARLHS USA-090.
* Buffalo North Breakwater
1903. Inactive since 1985. Unusual design: 29 ft (9 m) "bottle" or "bubble" shaped cast iron tower. Relocated in 1985 for display near the Buffalo light. Other displays include a bell buoy from the 1920s and a fog bell. Located on the South Pier Promenade at the mouth of the Buffalo River (western end of the Eire Canal), off the Buffalo Skyway (NY 5) at Fuhrmann Boulevard. Site open, tower closed. Owner/site manager: Buffalo Lighthouse Association. ARLHS USA-1302.
Horseshoe Reef
1856. Inactive since 1930. Originally a square wood keeper's house with a lantern on the roof, mounted on an iron frame platform above a square stone foundation. This lighthouse was built in Canadian waters by the U.S. Lighthouse Board, but in 1913 the international border was moved 100 ft (30 m) west so that the lighthouse would be in the United States. The building has completely collapsed and vanished, leaving only the iron framework and the lantern. Josker has a great closeup photo, and Google has a satellite view. Located on Middle Reef (actually not Horseshoe Reef) within sight of the other Buffalo lighthouses. Accessible only by boat; visible from Buffalo Main Light. Harbor tours available. Site and tower closed. Owner/site manager: unknown. ARLHS USA-386.

Buffalo Main Light, October 2008
Creative Commons photo by Doug Kerr
Buffalo Intake Crib
1908. Active (maintained by the City of Buffalo); focal plane 60 ft (18 m); two white flashes every 5 s. Navigation light mounted atop a lantern at the peak of a conical structure above a circular stone crib. The crib is a water supply intake. Josker also has a fine photo, Marinas.com has aerial photos, and Google has a satellite view. Located offshore about 350 yd (300 m) southeast of Horseshoe Reef. Accessible only by boat; visible from Buffalo Main Light. Harbor tours available. Site and tower closed. Owner/site manager: City of Buffalo. ARLHS USA-1301; USCG 7-2670.
Buffalo Harbor (Outer Breakwater) (3)
1961 (station established 1872). Active; focal plane 71 ft (21.5 m); flash every 10 s, alternating green and white. 71 ft (21.5 m) octagonal cylindrical tower with navigation light, painted white. No lantern. Fog horn (2 blasts every 30 s) as needed. Josker has a good closeup photo, and Google has a satellite view. The 1914 lighthouse, which was similar to the Lorain Harbor Light in Ohio, was demolished after being severely damaged by a collision with the freighter Frontenac in 1958. Located on the outer (detached) breakwater off the mouth of the Buffalo River. Accessible only by boat. Harbor tours available. Site and tower closed. Owner/site manager: U.S. Coast Guard. ARLHS USA-1299; USCG 7-2680.
Buffalo Harbor South Entrance (South Buffalo) (1)
1903. Inactive (since 1988?). 29 ft (9 m) round steel tower with lantern and gallery, mounted on a concrete platform on the Stony Point Breakwater. The original 4° Fresnel lens was transferred to the Buffalo Main light. The lighthouse has been replaced by a post light (focal plane 36 ft; white flash every 6 s) at the end of the breakwater. Josker has a remarkable closeup photo, Marinas.com has aerial photos, and Google has a satellite view. Located at the elbow of a breakwater marking the south side of the south entrance to Buffalo harbor, about 3 miles (5 km) south of the Buffalo light. Accessible only by boat; visible from the foot of Tifft Street off NY 5. Site and tower closed. Owner/site manager: U.S. Coast Guard. ARLHS USA-091; USCG 7-2905.
**** Dunkirk (Point Gratiot) (3)
1875 (station estalished 1827). Active; focal plane 82 ft (25 m); white light occulting every 4 s. 61 ft (18.5 m) square cylindrical stone tower with lantern and gallery, attached to a 2-story brick Victorian keeper's house; the tower's brick veneer surrounds an 1857 rubblestone tower. Original 3° Fresnel lens (1857). Upper 2/3 of tower painted white; lower 1/3 unpainted gray stone. Lantern painted red. The keeper's house is now a museum. Original oil house and other buildings. NOAA C-MAN automatic weather station. The light station was established in 1827 at Point Gratiot nearby; the 1857 tower was taken down and relocated to this site. Anderson has nice photos, the Ricos have photos and accounts of their visit, Huelse has a historic postcard view, the Coast Guard has a historic photo, and Google has a satellite view. Displays on site include the next three lighthouses listed, various buoys, and a buoy tender. At the light's 125th anniversary celebration, in July 2000, ownership of the tower was transferred to the local preservation society. Located on Lighthouse Point Road, off NY 5 in Dunkirk. Site open; museum and tower open daily except Sunday and Wednesday May through October. Owner/site manager: Dunkirk Lighthouse and Veterans Park Museum. ARLHS USA-248; USCG 7-3410.
* Buffalo Harbor South Entrance North Side
1903. Inactive since 1988. 29 ft (9 m) "bottle" or "bubble" shaped cast iron tower, sibling of Buffalo North Breakwater. Relocated for display at the Dunkirk Lighthouse Museum. Britten also has a closeup photo. Site open, museum open daily except Sunday and Wednesday May through October. Owner/site manager: Dunkirk Lighthouse and Veterans Park Museum. ARLHS USA-1310.

Dunkirk Light, January 2004
Creative Commons photo copyright C.W. Bash
* [Grand Island Range Rear]
1917. Inactive. Approx. 30 ft (9 m) square pyramidal steel skeletal tower with enclosed equipment room in the base. Relocated from Grand Island, north of Buffalo, for display at the Dunkirk Lighthouse Museum. Site open, museum open daily except Sunday and Wednesday May through October. Owner/site manager: Dunkirk Lighthouse and Veterans Park Museum. ARLHS USA-1144.
* Dunkirk Pierhead (2)
1939. Inactive. Approx. 65 ft (20 m) square pyramidal steel skeletal tower with enclosed equipment room in the base. Relocated from the pier for display at the Dunkirk Lighthouse Museum. Site open, museum open daily except Sunday and Wednesday May through October. Owner/site manager: Dunkirk Lighthouse and Veterans Park Museum. ARLHS USA-1303.
[Dunkirk Pierhead (3)]
Active; focal plane 36 ft (11 m); red flash every 6 s. Round cylindrical "D9" tower, painted white with a narrow red band. This light replaced a skeletal tower (1939), now on display at Dunkirk Light. The Coast Guard has a photo of the original light, a wood tower, and Huelse has a postcard view. Located at the end of the west pier. Site and tower closed. Owner/site manager: U.S. Coast Guard. ARLHS USA-249; USCG 7-3435.
* Barcelona (Portland Harbor)
1829. Inactive since 1859 (a decorative natural gas "streetlight" has been displayed since 1962). 40 ft (12 m) unpainted old-style round fieldstone tower. The original lantern was removed long ago; an open "lantern" platform was added in 1962. The original 1-1/2 story fieldstone keeper's house, modified in the 1890s, is a private residence recently renovated by the owners, Ann and Bruce Mulkin. In April 2005, the Mulkins put the property up for sale for $999,000. Britten has a great closeup photo, but the tower is inconspicuous in a Google satellite view. Lighthouse Digest has an article on the history of the light station, which was the first in the country to be lit with natural gas (1831). Located on Barcelona harbor, off I-90 at the Westfield exit. Site and tower closed, but there is parking and a picnic area off NY 5 adjacent to the tower. Owner/site manager: private. ARLHS USA-038.

Oneida Lake Lighthouses
Note: Oneida Lake is the largest lake in interior New York, 21 miles (33 km) in length and about 5 miles (8 km) in width. The Erie Canal, opened in 1825, crosses the lake lengthwise; this is the only significant open water crossing in the canal's 365 mile (590 km) length. These three lighthouses were built in 1918 to guide vessels traveling on the canal.
* Verona Beach (Sylvan Beach)
1918. Active; focal plane 88 ft (27 m); occulting white light. 85 ft (26 m) unpainted round concrete tower with gallery, mounted on a square 1-story concrete equipment room. A photo is at right, Lighthouse Digest has a February 2001 article on the Oneida Lake lighthouses, Dennie Orson has a 2008 photo, Marinas.com has aerial photos, and Google has a satellite view. Oneida Lake, in central New York, is about 22 mi (35 km) long. The New York State Barge Canal passes lengthwise through the lake. This lighthouse and its two siblings (next entries) were built in 1916-17 to guide boats across this open water section of the waterway. A support group, the Verona Beach Lighthouse Association, has formed to work for preservation of this lighthouse. The group cleared brush from the site, replaced the entry door and several windows, and installed a brighter light. The town has paved the entrance to the station and a provided small parking lot for visitors. Located off Forest Avenue between 3rd Avenue and 5th Avenue, west of NY 13, in Verona Beach. Site open, tower closed. Owner: New York State Canals. Site maneger: Verona Beach Lighthouse Association. ARLHS USA-1052.
Frenchman's Island
1918. Active (?); focal plane 123 ft (37.5 m); occulting white light. 105 ft (32 m): 20 ft (6 m) steel skeletal tower mounted atop an 85 ft (26 m) unpainted round concrete tower with gallery; no lantern. In 2008, New York State Parks reopened the island to the public; it had been closed for years due to frequent vandalism. Located atop a knoll at the west end of the island, about 5 miles (8 km) east southeast of Brewerton. Accessible only by boat; there are distant views from Lower South Bay on Lakeshore Drive off NY 31 on the south side of the lake, but only the very top of the lighthouse can be seen. Site open, tower closed. Owner/site manager: New York State Canals. ARLHS USA-1045.
* Brewerton Range Rear
1918. Active (?); focal plane 92 ft (28 m); continuous red light. 85 ft (26 m) unpainted round concrete tower with gallery; no lantern. The Lighthouse Digest article of February 2001 has a photo (it's the second of the two photos in the article), Dennie Orson has a 2007 photo, and Marinas.com has aerial photos. Located on the north bank of the Oneida River close to county road 37 just west of US 11 in Brewerton. In 2004 the town of Hastings began development of the area around the lighthouse as the Oneida River Park; plans include a small museum in the base of the tower. In spring 2009 work was underway on a parking area and trails. A Google satellite view shows some improvements in the area. Site open (may be under construction), tower closed. Owner: New York State Canals. Site manager: Town of Hastings. ARLHS USA-1042.
Verona Beach Light
Verona Beach Light
Town of Verona photo

Cayuga Lake Lighthouses
Note: Cayuga Lake is the longest of the Finger Lakes, a series of roughly parallel glacial lakes in western New York. The lake is about 40 miles (64 km) long and generally less than 2 miles (3 km) wide. At its northern end, the Cayuga-Seneca Canal connects the lake to the Erie Canal.
* Myers Point
1998. Active; focal plane about 40 ft (12 m); white flash every 6 s. Round brick tower with lantern, painted white with brown bands at the top and bottom. Built by volunteers as a community project, the light marks a conspicuous point jutting into the lake. Lighthouse Digest has an April 2003 article, Marinas.com has aerial photos, and Google has an indistinct satellite view. Located in Myers Park in Lansing, on Myers Road off NY 34B about 10 miles (16 km) north of Ithaca. Site open, tower closed. Site manager: Lansing Parks and Recreation Department. ARLHS USA-1216.
* Cayuga Inlet East
1917 (relocated from the west bank to the east bank of the creek in 1927). Active; focal plane 28 ft (8.5 m); flashing white light. 25 ft (7.5 m) square pyramidal steel-clad wooden tower, painted white. John Kulpa has contributed a photo, Marinas.com has aerial photos, and Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of the breakwater at Lighthouse Point, the east bank of the creek entrance at the southern end of the lake in Ithaca. Accessible by walking the breakwater after a hike of about 3/4 mile (1.2 km) from the western end of Pier Road. Site open, tower closed. Site manager: New York State Canals. ARLHS USA-1043.
Cayuga Inlet West
1927. Active; focal plane 28 ft (8.5 m); flashing red light. 25 ft (7.5 m) square pyramidal steel-clad wooden tower, painted red. John Kulpa has contributed a photo, Marinas.com has aerial photos, and Google has a satellite view. Located on a detached (and usually submerged) breakwater northwest of the creek entrance; the breakwater shelters the marina of the Allen H. Treman State Park off NY 89 northwest of Ithaca. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. Site manager: New York State Canals. ARLHS USA-1213.

Other inland lighthouses
Shoal Point
1890s. Active; focal plane about 30 ft (9 m); flashing white light. 30 ft (9 m) octagonal wooden (?) tower with wooden lantern. Built to mark a hazard in Fourth Lake, in the Adirondacks west of Inlet. Long neglected, this tower was fully restored in 2000-01 with private donations and a state historical preservation grant of $19,210. Located at the end of Cold Spring Camp Road, off NY 28 about 4 miles (6.5 km) west of Eagle Bay near the western end of the lake. Site open, tower closed. Owner/site manager: Fourth Lake Property Owners Association.
Cooperstown Marina
ca. 1955. Active; focal plane about 45 ft (13.5 m); quick-flashing white light. Approx. 40 ft (12 m) round cylindrical tower with a small lantern and gallery, painted white with a narrow horizontal red band; lantern painted black. The light is actually on a short mast atop the lantern, not in the lantern. Located at the end of Fair Street in Cooperstown, at the south end of Otsego Lake. Site open, tower closed. Owner/site manager: Lakefront Motel, Restaurant, and Marina.

Information available on lost lighthouses:

Notable faux lighthouses:

  • Island Street Boatyard (2000), an ornate 70 ft (21 m) light tower attached to a 2-story brick building, has not been activated as an official aid to navigation. It is located on the Tonawanda Channel of the Niagara River in downtown North Tonawanda.
  • Mayville, on Chautauqua Lake, has a small faux lighthouse (1990s) in its Lakeside Park.
  • Round Island, in the St. Lawrence off Clayton, is a conspicuous tower but it has never carried a light.
  • St. Johnsville Marina, on the Mohawk River between Schenectady and Sylvan Beach, has a small faux lighthouse.

Return to the Lighthouse Directory index

Checked and revised January 28, 2009. Lighthouses: 48. Site copyright 2009 Russ Rowlett and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.