New York’s rich maritime history includes many historic lighthouses on all its major coastlines. Along the Seaway Trail, more than two-dozen lighthouses stand guard – several with public museums. Tibbetts Point Lighthouse in Cape Vincent, where Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River meet, contains the only original Fresnel lens operating on Lake Ontario.
Montauk Point Lighthouse Museum in Montauk, Long Island is the oldest lighthouse in New York State, having been authorized by the second congress, under President George Washington, in 1792. Rondout Lighthouse, in Kingston, is part of the Hudson River Maritime Museum. In the Catskills, Hudson Athens Lighthouse, built in 1874 in the Second Empire Style, is an architectural gem. Dunkirk Historical Lighthouse and Veterans Park Museum in the Chautauqua-Allegheny region is a historic operational lighthouse built in 1875, offering a large collection of military artifacts in its Veterans Museum & Light Keeper's House, as well as a magnificent view of Lake Erie from its lighthouse observation deck. The Stony Point Lighthouse, part of Stony Point Battlefield State Historic site, was built in 1826 and is the oldest lighthouse on the Hudson River. De-commissioned in 1925, it now stands as a historical reminder of the importance of lighthouses to commerce on the Hudson River.
In Plattsburgh, Bluff Point Lighthouse on Valcour Island, which dates to 1874, was one of the last lighthouses to be staffed on Lake Champlain. It guided ships through the narrow passageway between the island and the New York shore for almost 60 years.
The Hudson Athens Lighthouse, built in 1874, is owned by the Hudson Athens Lighthouse Preservation Society. It is a Second Empire architectural style lighthouse located in the Hudson River between... more
Built in 1912 to aid navigation in Huntington Harbor, the distinctive reinforced concrete lighthouse, which includes a light keeper's dwelling, was automated in 1949 and is still operational. The... more
The oldest lighthouse in New York State, Montauk Point Lighthouse was authorized by the second congress, under President George Washington in 1792. Construction began on June 7, 1796 and was... more
Old Fort Niagara has dominated the entrance to the Niagara River since 1726. In American hands since 1796, Fort Niagara was recaptured by the British in 1813, and then ceded to the US a second time... more
Located on a small island between Alexandria Bay and Clayton, the picturesque complex, which includes the 19th century lighthouse, keeper`s dwelling, boathouse, and support structures, was one of six... more
The original Sodus Bay lighthouse was built in 1824 and served until 1870 when it was replaced with a new tower and keeper cottage. This three-story stone block light served until 1901, used by the... more
The Stony Point Battlefield preserves the site of the last major battle of the north-eastern colonies during the American Revolution. The 88-acre site contains a museum featuring British ordinance... more
Built in 1827, the Tibbetts Point Lighthouse in Cape Vincent marks the point where Lake Ontario meets the St. Lawrence River in northern New York State. The oldest lighthouse in Jefferson County, it... more
The Verona Beach Lighthouse was one of three Oneida Lake lighthouses built to aid navigation in conjunction with the opening of the Barge Canal in 1918. The Verona Beach Lighthouse Association has... more