Cedar Point County Park facts for kids
Cedar Point County Park is a large park in East Hampton, New York. It covers about 607 acres and is owned by Suffolk County. From the park, you can see amazing views of Gardiners Bay. It's also famous for its old lighthouse, the Cedar Island Light, which isn't used anymore.
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History of Cedar Point Park
Early Days and the Lighthouse
Cedar Point was first settled in 1651. It used to be a busy port where people shipped farm goods, fish, and wood. The historic Cedar Point Lighthouse was built in 1839. Back then, it stood on an island about 200 yards from the shore. Its bright light helped guide whaling ships safely into and out of Sag Harbor, which was a very important port at the time.
The Great Hurricane of 1938
A powerful storm called the 1938 New England hurricane changed the coastline a lot. The storm moved sand around, creating a narrow strip of land. This strip now connects the lighthouse to the mainland, so you can walk to it!
The lighthouse itself is 40 feet tall and made of granite. It was built in 1868. In 1934, the lighthouse was turned off and replaced by an automatic light on a steel tower. The Cedar Point Lighthouse is built in the Italianate style. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which means it's an important historical building.
Park Ownership and Changes
Most of the park, including the lighthouse, was once owned by Phelan Beale. He was the husband of Edith Ewing Bouvier Beale. Their lives were later featured in movies and shows. At that time, the area was a hunting club called the Grey Goose Gun Club of Cedar Point.
Suffolk County bought the land in 1967. The old lodge from the hunting club is now the home of the park foreman. It's located just north of the park's general store.
Lighthouse Restoration Efforts
In 1974, the inside of the lighthouse was damaged. Now, a group called the Long Island Chapter of the United States Lighthouse Society is working to fix and restore the Cedar Island Lighthouse. They are trying to raise money to turn it into a museum and a place where people can stay overnight. Part of their plan includes fixing the light at the top of the lighthouse.
