Horton Point Light facts for kids
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| Location | N end of Lighthouse Rd., Long Island Sound, Southold, New York |
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| Coordinates | 41°5′6.51″N 72°26′44.77″W / 41.0851417°N 72.4457694°W |
| Year first constructed | 1857 |
| Automated | 1933 |
| Foundation | granite |
| Construction | Granite and brick covered in stucco |
| Tower shape | Square, attached to rectangular house |
| Markings / pattern | White with black lantern and copper roof |
| Focal height | 103 feet (31 m) |
| Original lens | Third order Fresnel lens (original), VRB-25 system (current) |
| Range | 14 nautical miles (26 km; 16 mi) |
| Characteristic | Flashing green, 10s |
The Horton Point Light is a famous lighthouse located on the northern side of Eastern Long Island, New York. You can find it in the small community called Southold. This historic lighthouse and the land around it are looked after by the Southold Park District. It's a cool place to visit and learn about!
The Story of Horton Point Lighthouse
The lighthouse you see today was built a long time ago, in 1857. That's when its light first shone! It stands on a tall cliff, about 60 feet above the water of Long Island Sound.
In 1933, the lighthouse became "automated." This means machines took over the job of keeping the light on, so a human keeper wasn't needed anymore. However, the light was actually turned off from 1933 until 1990.
The lighthouse is very strong. Its base is made of granite, and the building itself is made from granite and brick, covered with a smooth material called stucco. The tower is square and is connected to a rectangular house. The tower itself is 58 feet tall. The light inside shines from 103 feet above sea level. The tower is white, with a black top where the light is, and a shiny copper roof. The light flashes green every ten seconds.
Important Dates for the Lighthouse
- 1790: The idea for a lighthouse here came from President George Washington himself!
- 1855: The United States government bought the land for the lighthouse for $550.
- 1857: The lighthouse was built and its light turned on. William Sinclair was the first person to work as its keeper.
- 1933: The main light in the tower was turned off. A smaller, temporary light was set up on the shore instead.
- 1934: In January, the Southold Park District bought the lighthouse buildings and land from the government for just $1.00!
- 1938: The last lighthouse keeper left after a big hurricane hit.
- 1976: People started working to fix up and restore the old lighthouse.
- 1990: A major restoration project finished. The tower was repaired inside and out. The light was turned back on and started working again! The temporary light tower on the shoreline was removed.
- 1994: The lighthouse property was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's recognized as an important historical site.
- 2007: The lighthouse was still helping ships navigate. It also had a museum, and visitors could even climb to the top of the tower!
- Today: As of August 2025, the Horton Point Lighthouse continues to be an active aid for boats and a popular museum. Visitors can still explore its history and climb the tower for amazing views.
