New London Ledge Light facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
New London Ledge Light

New London Ledge Light in 2011
New London Ledge Light Location in Connecticut
Location	Thames River New London Harbor Connecticut United States
Coordinates	41°18′21.18″N 72°04′38.82″W / 41.3058833°N 72.0774500°W / 41.3058833; -72.0774500
Year first constructed	1909
Automated	1987
Foundation	concrete pier
Construction	granite and brick building
Tower shape	short cylindrical tower on 3-story dwelling
Markings / pattern	white tower, red lantern roof
Height	58 ft (18 m)
Focal height	58 ft (18 m)
Original lens	Fourth order Fresnel lens
Current lens	VRB-25
Characteristic	three white flashes separated by 5 s, 10 s off, red flash, 10 s off
Admiralty number	J0730
ARLHS number	USA-542
USCG number	1-21825

The New London Ledge Lighthouse is a famous lighthouse located in Groton, Connecticut. It stands at the mouth of the Thames River, right where it meets New London harbor. This historic lighthouse is now looked after by the New London Maritime Society. It's part of a special program that helps preserve important lighthouses across the country.

The Story of New London Ledge Lighthouse

The New London Ledge Lighthouse was built a long time ago, in 1909. It was placed on a rocky spot called the southwest ledge. At first, people called it the Southwest Ledge light. But this name caused confusion with another lighthouse in New Haven, Connecticut. So, in 1910, it was officially renamed the New London Ledge Light.

In 1939, the United States Coast Guard took over the lighthouse. They became responsible for its care and operation. Later, in 1987, the light was made "automated." This means it could work by itself without a keeper living there all the time.

The original special light, called a Fresnel lens (which is like a giant, powerful magnifying glass for light), was taken out. You can now see it on display at the Custom House Maritime Museum. Because of its history, the lighthouse was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1990. This list includes important places that are worth protecting.

The Lighthouse's Ghostly Legend

New London Ledge Lighthouse is quite famous locally for a spooky story. People say it's haunted by the ghost of an early lighthouse keeper named Ernie. Coast Guard crews who used to work there reported strange things happening at night. They heard unexplained knocking sounds. Doors would open and close by themselves. The television would turn on and off without anyone touching it. Sometimes, sheets would even be pulled off beds!

One Coast Guard officer wrote something interesting in the crew's logbook. It was on the very last night before the automated light system was put in place. He wrote: "Rock of slow torture. Ernie's domain. Hell on earth—may New London Ledge’s light shine on forever because I’m through. I will watch it from afar while drinking a brew." This shows how much the ghost stories affected the people working there.

The Ledge Light has even been featured on TV shows about ghosts. These include Scariest Places on Earth and Ghost Hunters. On Ghost Hunters, investigators from The Atlantic Paranormal Society looked into the claims. They found some unexplained things, like cold spots in certain areas. However, they said there wasn't enough clear evidence to prove that paranormal activity was definitely happening.

Lighthouse Keepers Through the Years

Here are some of the head keepers who looked after the New London Ledge Lighthouse:

• W.B. Petty (1909 – 1910)
• George E. Hansen (1910 – at least 1917)
• Howard B. Beebe (1926 – 1938)
• Leonard Fuller (at least 1940)
• Michael Scanlan (1943 – 1949)
• William Clark (1954 – 1959)

Images for kids

• 

  Postcard, about 1910

• 

  Ledge Light from Harkness Memorial State Park

• 

  The U.S.S. Memphis submarine passes the light for the final time in 2011

• 

  Postcard, c.1930-45

• 

  The top of the lighthouse in 2010