New London Harbor Light is
the Fourth Lighthouse built in
North America,
the First & tallest built on Long Island Sound, Sound,
& the Only one owned by us!
2010 was the 250 anniversary of its founding!
According to the United States Coast Guard, one can see more lighthouses from the lantern of New London Harbor Light than from any other spot on earth!
July 1-3, 2011, we held our first Celebration
of New London's Lighthouse Heritage
sponsored by the
Connecticut Humanities Council
In 2009, the New London Maritime Society became owners of New London Harbor Light. The formal conveyance took place October 13, 2010.
The US Coast Guard continues to operate the structure as an aid to navigation. Meanwhile, New London Harbor Light is open to the public, by appointment, on a strictly limited basis.
From the top of the lighthouse, it is possible to see at least seven other lighthouses: New London Ledge, Race Rock, Little Gull Island, Plum Island, Little Dumpling and Avery Point.
The New London Maritime Society is pleased to annouce that a generous gift from the Kitchings Family has been used to establish a lighthouse endowment. This fund will be used to insure the light's permanent care. Additional contributions to the lighthouse fund may be made to:
New London Harbor Light Fund
New London Maritime Society
150 Bank Street, New London, CT 06320
860-447-2501, nlmaritimedirector@gmail.com
This station was established in 1760. The current conical tower was constructed of brownstone in 1801, and keeper's quarters in 1863 (enlarged in 1900). The station was automated in 1912. Possible date range based on construction of fog signal house, whose date is given as 1903 (discontinued 1911) and automation of light.
The lighthouse is mentioned in Eugene O'Neill's play Ah Wilderness. and its former foghorn in the New London playwright's Long Day's Journey Into Night.
25 August, 2010 Dear Susan, I am enclosing two pictures (see images left) of my grandfather, Antonio Dimaggio and his brother(half-brother? Francesco) in front of the keeper's house. He was keeper from 1916-1918.
the other picture is of my grandmother Marianna, my mother Josephine, and my grandfather Antonio DiMaggio at the door of the keeper's house. --Marian Dickson
below left: Gwen Basilica's new mosaic at The Parade, June, 2010
immediately below: one panel from Lynda McLaughlin's new mural on 12 Golden Street, June, 2010.
three below: James Diaz-Saavedra's collection of lighthouse postcards, on view at the Custom House in Summer 2009.
LISTED on the National Register;
Reference #89001470. Year Listed: 1990
Abisha Woodward was a contractor from New London, Connecticut, evidently a man of many talents. In 1793, he won a federal contract to complete the original Bald Head Island Light at Cape Fear, North Carolina. The state of North Carolina had begun work on this lighthouse before the new federal government assumed control of aids to navigation in 1789, and the tower was well advanced in construction when Woodward arrived on the scene. It's not his fault that the lighthouse was built too close to the shore and had to be torn down in 1813.
In 1799 a large crack developed in the wooden lighthouse at New London Harbor in Woodward's home town, and he was selected to build a stone replacement. The 89-foot tower Woodward completed in 1801 continues to shine today. The lantern has held a fourth order Fresnel lens since 1857. In many respects it shows a rather strong resemblance to the Cape Henry Light; this resemblance reflects the federal specifications, which described in detail the form and shape of the tower. Like McComb's lighthouses, Woodward's towers show robust design and careful and sturdy workmanship.
In 1802, Woodward built a second stone tower, about half the height of the New London lighthouse, at Faulkner's Island off the Connecticut coast. This tower looks very much like the upper half of the New London tower.
What are some interesting facts about lighthouses? from the USCG
First lighthouse - Boston, MA (1716)
Oldest original lighthouse in service - Sandy Hook, NJ (1764)
Newest shoreside lighthouse - Charleston, SC (1962)
Only triangular-shaped lighthouse tower - Charleston, SC (1962)
Only lighthouse equipped with an elevator - Charleston, SC (1962)
Tallest lighthouse - Cape Hatteras, NC (191 ft)
First American-built West Coast lighthouse - Alcatraz Lighthouse (1854)
First lighthouse to use electricity - Statue of Liberty (1886)
First Great Lakes lighthouses - Buffalo, NY & Erie, PA (1818)
Most expensive lighthouse (adjusted cost) - St. George’s Reef, CA (1891)
First lighthouse built completely by the Federal Government - Montauk Point, NY (1797)
Founding of the U.S. Lighthouse Service - 7 August 1789
U.S. Lighthouse Service merged with the Coast Guard - 7 July 1939
Second most powerful lighthouse in the world (and most powerful in the Western Hemisphere) - Charleston, SC (1962)
