Eatons Neck Light facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Eatons Neck Light

Eatons Neck Lighthouse
Eatons Neck Light Location in New York
Location	Station Eatons Neck, Eatons Neck Point at Huntington Bay and Long Island Sound off NY 25A, Huntington, New York
Coordinates	40°57′14.5″N 73°23′42.5″W / 40.954028°N 73.395139°W / 40.954028; -73.395139
Year first constructed	1798
Year first lit	1799
Automated	1961
Deactivated	Active
Foundation	Dressed Stone/Timber
Construction	Fieldstone with brick lining
Tower shape	Octagonal pyramidal
Height	73 feet (22 m)
Focal height	144 feet (44 m)
Original lens	12 Lamps, 13-inch (330 mm) Reflectors (1838)
Current lens	Third Order Fresnel lens
Range	18 nautical miles (33 km; 21 mi)
Characteristic	Fixed white light
Fog signal	Fog horn (3 s blast every 30 s)
Admiralty number	J0872
ARLHS number	USA-264
USCG number	1-21325

The Eatons Neck Light is a historic lighthouse that has helped ships navigate safely since 1799. It was designed by John McComb, Jr.. This lighthouse is special because it's one of only two lighthouses built in the 1700s that are still standing in New York State. The other one is the Montauk Point Light.

History of Eatons Neck Light

This lighthouse has a long and interesting history. It has been updated many times over the years to keep up with new technology.

Building the Lighthouse

• 1798, March 14: Money was set aside to build the lighthouse.
• 1798, June 16: Ten acres of land were bought for the lighthouse.
• 1798, July 2: President John Adams officially approved building the lighthouse.
• 1798, December 6: The lighthouse was finished being built.
• 1799, January 1: The light was turned on for the very first time!

Improving the Light

• 1837: An inspection found that the light wasn't bright enough. Ships couldn't see it from far away.
• 1838: To fix this, new lamps and reflectors were installed. These helped make the light much brighter and easier to see.
• 1842: More new reflectors were put in to improve the light even more.
• 1850: Even more powerful lamps and reflectors were added.
• 1858: A brand new lantern and a special Fresnel lens were installed. A Fresnel lens is a very advanced type of lens that makes lighthouse beams much stronger and more focused.

Major Upgrades and Modernization

• 1867, March 2: The government approved money to give the lighthouse a big makeover.
• 1868: Many improvements were completed. The old wooden stairs were replaced with strong iron ones. The inside walls were lined with brick, and the lighthouse keeper's living area was made bigger. A steam fog signal was also added to help ships in foggy weather.
• 1880: The keeper's living area was updated again.
• 1907: The old oil lamp was replaced with a new oil vapor lamp, making the light even brighter.
• 1921: The lighthouse was connected to electricity, which was a big step forward!
• 1961: The light became "automated." This means it could run on its own without a person needing to operate it all the time.

A Historic Landmark

The Eatons Neck Light was recognized as a very important historical site in 1973. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This list includes buildings and places that are important to the history of the United States.