Eatons Neck Light

Eatons Neck Light
LocationStation Eatons Neck, Eatons Neck Point at Huntington Bay and Long Island Sound off NY 25A, Huntington, New York
Coordinates40°57′14.5″N 73°23′42.5″W / 40.954028°N 73.395139°W / 40.954028; -73.395139
Tower
Constructed1798
FoundationDressed Stone/Timber
ConstructionFieldstone with brick lining
Automated1961
Height73 feet (22 m)
ShapeOctagonal pyramidal
HeritageNational Register of Historic Places listed place 
Fog signalFog horn (3 s blast every 30 s)
Light
First lit1799
DeactivatedActive
Focal height144 feet (44 m)
Lens12 Lamps, 13-inch (330 mm) Reflectors (1838), Third Order Fresnel lens (current)
Range18 nautical miles (33 km; 21 mi)
CharacteristicFixed white light
Eatons Neck Light
Area10 acres (4.0 ha)
ArchitectMcComb, John, Jr.
NRHP reference No.73001273[1]
Added to NRHPApril 03, 1973

Eatons Neck Light has served as a navigational aid since its construction in 1798.[2] Designed by John McComb, Jr.. It is one of only two 18th century lighthouses still standing in New York State,[3] the other being the Montauk Point Light.

History

On March 14, 1798, $13,250 was appropriated for the lighthouse to be built. That June, ten acres were bought from John Gardiner for $500. On July 2, President John Adams authorized construction of the light. Construction of the lighthouse was completed by early December 1798.
On January 1, 1799, the light was first lit.
In 1837, the light failed an inspection because it was not visible at 10 miles (16 km). The following year, twelve lamps with 13-inch reflectors were installed to improve visibility.
From 1842 to 1858, several new reflectors were installed.
In 1867, Congress approved funds needed to renovate the lighthouse. The renovations included the removal of wooden stairs, installation of iron stairs with landings, the lining of interior walls with brick, the expansion of the keeper's quarters, and the installation of the steam fog signal.
In 1880, the keeper's quarters underwent renovation.
In 1907, the oil lamp was replaced with an oil vapor lamp. In 1921, the light was electrified. Forty years later, it was automated.
-- Data from the United States Coast Guard[4]

The lighthouse was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.[5][3]

See also

References

  1. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
  2. ^ ARLHS World List of Lights
  3. ^ a b Lynn Beebe Weaver (September 1972). "National Register of Historic Places Registration: Eatons Neck Light". New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. Archived from the original on October 10, 2012. Retrieved February 20, 2010. See also: "Accompanying photo". Archived from the original on March 9, 2014. Retrieved March 9, 2014.
  4. ^ "Eaton's Neck Light". United States Coast Guard.
  5. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. April 15, 2008.