Buffalo Main Light facts for kids
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 Buffalo Main Light
Location in New York
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| Location | Buffalo River, Buffalo, New York |
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| Coordinates | 42°52′49″N 78°53′45″W / 42.88028°N 78.89583°W |
| Year first lit | 1833 |
| Foundation | Stone molehead |
| Construction | Limestone and cast iron |
| Tower shape | Octagonal |
| Height | 60 feet (18 m) |
| ARLHS number | USA-090 |
The Buffalo (Main) Light is a historic lighthouse located at the mouth of the Buffalo River and the Erie Canal in Buffalo, New York. It stands right across from the Erie Basin Marina. This important landmark helped guide ships safely into the harbor for many years.
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A Look Back: The Lighthouse's Story
The Buffalo Main Light was first built and lit up in 1833. It was made to help ships find their way into Buffalo's busy port. The lighthouse was built on a strong stone base. Its tower was made from limestone and cast iron, which are very durable materials.
How It Was Built
The lighthouse has an interesting eight-sided (octagonal) shape. It stands about 60 feet (18 meters) tall. In 1857, a special type of lens called a Fresnel lens was put inside. This lens made the light much brighter and easier to see from far away. The lighthouse was used until 1914, when it was no longer needed. The original lens was later moved to the Buffalo History Museum.
An Old Landmark
This 60-foot-tall, octagonal limestone structure is the oldest lighthouse still standing in its original spot in Buffalo. It replaced an even older lighthouse from 1818 that was on the same site. Today, the Buffalo Main Light is part of an outdoor museum. This museum is located on the grounds of the United States Coast Guard Station.
A Place of History
Because of its importance, the Buffalo Main Light was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1984. This list includes buildings and places that are important to the history of the United States.
Opening to the Public
In 2010, the U.S. Coast Guard decided to open up some of its land to the public. This included the area around the lighthouse. A politician named Brian Higgins helped get over $6 million to make changes to the Coast Guard station. These changes would allow people to visit the lighthouse.
In 2011, the Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation gave money to fix and restore the lighthouse. This work was finished in August 2011. Now, people can visit and take tours of this historic Buffalo landmark.
