Sands Point Light facts for kids
 Sands Point Light
Location in New York
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| Location | Sands Point north of Port Washington on Long Island's north shore. |
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| Coordinates | 40°51′57.2″N 73°43′46.2″W / 40.865889°N 73.729500°W |
| Year first constructed | 1806 |
| Year first lit | 1809 |
| Automated | No |
| Deactivated | 1922 |
| Foundation | Brownstone |
| Construction | Brownstone |
| Tower shape | Octagonal |
| Markings / pattern | Unpainted Masonry W/Faux Lantern |
| Height | 65 feet (20 m) |
| Original lens | 11 lamps, 9-inch (230 mm) reflectors |
| Current lens | fourth order, fresnel |
| ARLHS number | USA-727 |
The Sands Point Lighthouse is a historic building located in Nassau County, New York. It stands on the northern coast of Long Island, in a town called North Hempstead. This lighthouse was the fourth one built on Long Island. Its stone tower was finished in 1809. A veteran from the American Revolutionary War built it and became its first keeper. The lighthouse is sometimes called the Mitchell Lighthouse. This is because Samuel L. Mitchell worked hard to get it built.
Contents
Building the Sands Point Lighthouse
In 1806, the Governor of New York State, Daniel D. Tompkins, bought 5 acres of land. This land was bought from Benjamin Hewlett to build the lighthouse. Noah Mason, a veteran from the Revolutionary War, finished building the lighthouse in 1809. He then became its first keeper.
The lighthouse was 40 feet (12 m) tall. It had eight sides, which means it was octagonal. There were four windows on its south side. The base of the lighthouse was four feet thick. It was made from strong brown stone.
The light system used eleven lamps and reflectors. These were set up on two tables. The light was a steady white beam. It helped ships move safely between Long Island Sound and the East River. In 1856, a new type of lens was added. It was called a fifth-order Fresnel lens. This new lens made the light flash every thirty seconds.
Years of Operation
In 1814, Noah Mason saw another important event. From the lighthouse tower, he watched a naval battle. This battle was part of the War of 1812. American gunboats fought against a British warship called the Acosta.
Mason continued to be the lighthouse keeper until he passed away in 1841. The Mason family had made the original keeper's house bigger. It was a wooden house. By 1838, reports said the house had 23 rooms!
In 1867, the United States Congress gave money to fix the lighthouse tower. They also wanted to replace the keeper's home. They said the old house was too old to repair. The tower was greatly improved. Its old wooden stairs and windows were replaced with strong cast-iron ones. A new brick house was built for the keeper. The wood from the old house was used to build a barn, a shed, and an outhouse.
When the Light Went Out
The Sands Point Lighthouse was no longer thought to be needed. So, on October 31, 1894, its light was turned off. But many local people were very upset. Because of their strong protests, the lighthouse was quickly turned back on.
In December 1922, the lighthouse was officially turned off for good. The light and the top lantern room were taken off the tower. The light was moved to a new, automated steel tower. This new tower was built offshore at the end of Sands Point.
New York State Governor Alfred E. Smith tried to buy the land. He wanted it to become a state park, but he was not successful. In February 1924, a wealthy woman named Alva Belmont bought the property. She bought it at an auction for $100,000. Belmont had already built a large mansion next to the lighthouse in 1917. It was called Beacon Towers.
In 1927, the property and lighthouse were sold again. This time, William Randolph Hearst bought them for $400,000. The Hearst family lived in the keeper's house. They used the big mansion for their guests. In 1940, Hearst tried to sell the property. When he couldn't find a buyer, he gave the property to a New York bank. This was to pay off a loan. The bank also couldn't find a buyer. So, they started selling parts of the mansion and tearing it down. Later, a realtor bought the property. They divided it into 1-acre lots. Today, private homes stand on this land.
A Local Landmark
The Sands Point Lighthouse is still privately owned today. On October 27, 1992, the Village of Sands Point and the Landmarks Commission made the lighthouse a village landmark. This means it is a special, protected building.
Over the years, storms and natural wearing away of the land have damaged the lighthouse. Several ways to protect it have been built, destroyed, and rebuilt. The original lighthouse and the keeper's house are still in good condition. Their private owners take good care of them.
Today, visitors can only see the lighthouse from the water. A modern, metal light tower now sits off the Sands Point shore. It serves the same purpose as the original lighthouse. On a clear day, if you are approaching the light from the north, you can even see the New York City skyline.
- Historic American Engineering Record (HAER) No. NY-93, "Sands Point Lighthouse, Middle Neck Road, Munsey Park, Nassau County, NY", 1 photo, 1 data page, 1 photo caption page
