New Dorp Light facts for kids
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| New Dorp Lighthouse | |
 New Dorp Lighthouse
Location in New York City
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| Location | Staten Island / Lower New York Bay |
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| Coordinates | 40°34′51″N 74°7′12″W / 40.58083°N 74.12000°W |
| Year first constructed | 1856 |
| Year first lit | 1856 |
| Deactivated | 1964 |
| Foundation | Brick |
| Construction | Wood |
| Tower shape | Square on center of dwelling |
| Markings / pattern | White |
| Height | 80 feet (24 m) |
| Focal height | 190 feet (58 m) |
| Original lens | Second Order Fresnel lens |
| Characteristic | Fixed White - visible on Range line only |
| ARLHS number | USA-537 |
The New Dorp Lighthouse is a historic lighthouse located in the New Dorp area of Staten Island, New York City. It was built in 1856 to help guide ships safely through a busy shipping channel called the Swash Channel in Lower New York Bay.
This lighthouse was a special kind of light called a "rear range light." It worked with other lights to create a line that ships could follow. Sailors would line up the New Dorp Light with another light (like the Chapel Hill Light in New Jersey) to know they were on the right path.
A Guiding Light: How it Worked
The New Dorp Lighthouse started shining in 1856. Its original light was a bright red beam that could be seen from about 192 feet (58 meters) above sea level. This light came from a special type of lens called a Fresnel lens, which made the light very strong.
Over the years, the light changed. In 1891, the red light was changed to a fixed white light. Later, in 1907, the light source was updated from oil to a brighter incandescent oil vapor. This made the light even more powerful. In 1939, a new lens was put in, still showing a fixed white light.
The first person to live and work at the lighthouse was John B. Fountain. He was the "light keeper," and he lived in a house that was built right under the lighthouse tower.
From Public Aid to Private Home
The New Dorp Lighthouse stopped being used as a navigation aid in 1964. After it was turned off, the lighthouse and its land were left empty for about ten years. During this time, it was sadly neglected and damaged.
In 1974, a person from Staten Island named John Vokral bought the lighthouse at an auction. He paid $32,000 for it. Mr. Vokral then worked hard to fix up the lighthouse, bringing it back to its original beauty. Today, the New Dorp Lighthouse is a private home. This means it is not open for the public to visit.
A Historic Landmark
The New Dorp Lighthouse is an important part of history. Because of its historical value, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. This is a list of places in the United States that are important to American history.
It was also named a New York City Landmark in 1967. This means the city recognizes it as a special building that should be protected.
