New London Harbor Light facts for kids
 |
|
| New London Harbor Light (by USCG/1984) | |
 New London Harbor Light
Location in Connecticut
|
|
| Location | Pequot Ave. at Lighthouse Point, New London Connecticut United States |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 41°19′00.0″N 72°05′23.1″W / 41.316667°N 72.089750°W |
| Year first constructed | 1760 (first) |
| Year first lit | 1801 (current) |
| Automated | 1912 |
| Foundation | surface rock |
| Construction | brownstone tower |
| Tower shape | tapered octagonal tower with balcony and lantern |
| Markings / pattern | white tower, black lantern |
| Height | 89 ft (27 m) |
| Focal height | 90 ft (27 m) |
| Original lens | 11 lamps, 13 inch reflectors |
| Current lens | Fourth order Fresnel lens |
| Intensity | 6,000 candela |
| Range | 17 nautical miles (31 km; 20 mi) |
| Characteristic | Iso W 6s, R sector |
| Admiralty number | J0732 |
| ARLHS number | USA-541 |
| USCG number | 1-21845 |
The New London Harbor Light is an important lighthouse in Connecticut. It stands tall on the west side of the New London harbor entrance. This lighthouse is very old and special. It is the fifth oldest light station in the United States. It is also the seventh oldest lighthouse overall in the country.
The New London Harbor Light is the oldest and tallest lighthouse in Connecticut. It is also the tallest on Long Island Sound. Its tower reaches about 90 feet (27 meters) into the sky. The light from the tower can be seen up to 15 miles away. It shines a white light for three seconds every six seconds. In 1990, this historic lighthouse was added to the National Register of Historic Places. Today, the New London Maritime Society takes care of it. They do this as part of a program to protect old lighthouses.
Where is the Lighthouse?
The New London Harbor Light is found at Lighthouse Point. This area is in the southern part of New London. It is just east of Guthrie Beach, off Pequot Avenue. Besides the lighthouse tower, the property also has a keeper's house. This is a two-and-a-half-story brick building. In the past, there were other buildings too. These included a barn, an oil house, and an engine room. However, these extra buildings have been removed over time.
A Look Back in Time: History of the Lighthouse
The very first New London Harbor Lighthouse was built in 1760. It stood on the west side of the entrance to New London Harbor. In 1789, Connecticut gave control of this lighthouse to the United States government.
In 1800, the U.S. Congress decided to rebuild the lighthouse. The old one was taken down in 1801. A new, stronger stone tower was built in its place. This is the tower you see today. In 1855, the lighthouse got a big upgrade. Its original 11 lamps were replaced with a special Fourth-order Fresnel lens. This new lens made the light much brighter and more focused.
The way the light was powered also changed over the years. In 1909, it started using an oil-vapor lamp. Then, in 1912, it switched to acetylene gas. Finally, in 1930, the lighthouse was connected to electricity. The house where the lighthouse keepers lived was built in 1863. It was made bigger in 1900. This was so that married keepers could live there with their families. In 2010, the New London Maritime Society took over ownership of the lighthouse. They work to preserve its history and make sure it stays in good condition.
Images for kids
-
New London Harbor Lighthouse
-
Postcard of the lighthouse, published 1901-1907
-
New London Light
-
New London Harbor Lighthouse in 2020
