Famous Lighthouses of Long Island, NY

Content approved by Jerry Parker

Long Island boasts about 25 historic lighthouses that stand sentinel across the 118-mile piece of land. This area is also full of beaches, state parks, and old seafaring towns. Planning a lighthouse getaway with visits to several Long Island beacons promises to be an enjoyable getaway. These gorgeous and historic buildings make for amazing photo opportunities with the perfect ocean views.

Montauk Lighthouse

Montauk Point Lighthouse sits on the tip of eastern Long Island in New York State. The waters around the lighthouse are part of the Block Island Sound and the Atlantic Ocean. This lighthouse holds the distinction of being New York State’s oldest lighthouse, authorized into service during George Washington’s presidency. Construction on the lighthouse began on June 7, 1796, and it was finished on November 5, 1796. The lighthouse remains in service today as a navigation aid, and it’s also been designated as a National Historic Landmark.

• Montauk Lighthouse History – On April 12, 1792, George Washington authorized construction to build the Montauk Point Lighthouse.
• Montauk Point Lighthouse Museum – The lighthouse also has a museum and gift shop for visitors to explore. Groups of 20 people can tour the lighthouse throughout the year.
• Secrets of the Montauk Lighthouse – The Montauk Lighthouse was renovated in 1860 shortly before the Civil War broke out.
• Montauk Point Lighthouse – Montauk Point was named after the Montauket Indians who controlled Long Island when the first Europeans arrived.
• Montauk Point State Park – Visitors to Montauk Point Lighthouse can also enjoy the Montauk Point State Park that surrounds the lighthouse.

Fire Island Lighthouse

In 1826, the first Fire Island Lighthouse was built on Fire Island. This lighthouse was 74 feet high, and it was made out of Connecticut River blue split stones. In 1857, a project began to build a new lighthouse to replace the first one. This lighthouse was first lit on November 1, 1858, and it continued working until it was decommissioned as a navigational aid on December 31, 1973. After restoration in 1896, it was reinstated as an official navigational aid. The Fire Island Lighthouse holds the distinction of being Long Island’s tallest lighthouse.

• Fire Island Lighthouse – The Fire Island Lighthouse is open for tourists who want to climb to the top. From there on a clear day, it’s possible to see the New York City skyline.
• Fire Island Lighthouse History – The Fire Island Lighthouse was restored in 1986, and its light is visible for about 21 to 24 miles.
• Fire Island Lighthouse Trail – Visitors can hike around the Fire Island Lighthouse on a moderate trail that covers more than six miles along the shoreline.
• Fire Island Lighthouse Visitor’s Center – A visitor’s center sits inside the lightkeeper’s quarters near the lighthouse. This building was built in 1858.
• Fire Island Lighthouse Tours – Visitors can take tours of the Fire Island Lighthouse, and sometimes sunset/moonrise tours are offered so visitors can watch the from the lighthouse tower.

Stepping Stones Lighthouse

The Stepping Stones Lighthouse was built in 1876. The lighthouse was positioned in this spot to warn ships about the many rocks beneath the surface of the Long Island Sound in this area. The lighthouse was renovated in 1944 to make it more modern. Although the Stepping Stones Lighthouse is still a navigational aid, it is in need of significant repairs.

• Stepping Stones Lighthouse – Repairs needed on the Stepping Stones Lighthouse will cost around $4 million.
• Stepping Stones Lighthouse Historic Blizzard – In February of 1934, a blizzard hit Long Island that involved 17 inches of snow, leading to severe supply shortages for the lighthouse keeper and his family.
• Overview of Stepping Stones Lighthouse – The Stepping Stones Lighthouse is 46 feet tall and made of red bricks with a fixed green light.
• Stepping Stones Restoration Project – A local group has organized to protect the Stepping Stones Lighthouse and organize funding to restore it.
• NYC’s Cutest Lighthouse: The Stepping Stones Lighthouse – The Stepping Stones name for this lighthouse may have come from a Native American legend that called the area the Devil’s Stepping Stones.
• Stepping Stones Lighthouse – Stepping Stones Lighthouse is in Nassau County and is visible from Belden Point.
• History of Stepping Stones Lighthouse – The Stepping Stones Lighthouse was built using the same plans that were used to build the Hudson-Athens Lighthouse.

Execution Rocks Lighthouse

Execution Rocks Lighthouse sits in the Long Island Sound. The lighthouse was built during the 1850s, and it sits atop Execution Rocks. Old legends tell stories about British soldiers chaining Patriot prisoners of war to the rocks to execute them. As the tide rose, the prisoners would drown. This lighthouse’s history was further sullied by serial Killer Carl Panzram killing sailors and dumping their bodies in the water around the rocks.

• Execution Rocks’ Haunted History – Execution Rocks Lighthouse has a history of haunting because of how it was used during the Revolutionary War.
• Execution Rocks Lighthouse – Visitors can tour the Execution Rocks Lighthouse during the summer.
• Execution Rocks Lighthouse: Sand’s Point, New York – Lighthouse keepers assigned to the Execution Rocks Lighthouse were always transferred immediately if they requested it, so they would never feel chained to the lighthouse.
• Execution Rocks Lighthouse, New York – The rocky reef in the Long Island Sound was dangerous for ships, so the lighthouse was built in 1809.
• Delaware Bay Lightkeeper (PDF) – Patriots sentenced to “The Rock,” were chained to a ring of bolts on the rocky reef in Long Island Sound where they were left to die when the waters rose with high tide.

North Dumpling Lighthouse

North Dumpling Lighthouse was built in 1849. It is made of red bricks and is two stories tall. In 1959, the beacon was transferred to a steel tower, putting the lighthouse out of commission. During the 1980s, the beacon was put back in the lighthouse.

• North Dumpling Lighthouse – The North Dumpling Lighthouse sits on North Dumpling Island, which is privately owned.
• Long Island Sound Lighthouses: North Dumpling Lighthouse – During prohibition, the lighthouse keeper of the North Dumpling Lighthouse was thought to be signaling liquor smugglers.
• North Dumpling Lighthouse – The North Dumpling Lighthouse was first lit in 1871, and it is currently not in operation.
• North Dumpling Light – The North Dumpling Lighthouse sits in Fishers Island Sound, and it is currently not open to the public.

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