Sheffield Island Light facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Sheffield Island Light
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 Location in Connecticut
Location in the United States
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| Location | Sheffield Island, Norwalk, Connecticut |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1868 |
| NRHP reference No. | 88003222 |
| Added to NRHP | January 19, 1989 |
Sheffield Island Light is a cool old lighthouse found at the very end of the Norwalk Islands in Norwalk, Connecticut. It stands tall on the west side of the Norwalk River's entrance, looking out over Long Island Sound. This lighthouse helped guide ships safely for many years.
Contents
A Look Back: The Lighthouse's Story
Early Days: Building the First Light
The island where the lighthouse stands was once called "White Island." In 1804, a person named Captain Robert Sheffield bought it. Later, in 1826, his son-in-law, Gershom Smith, sold a small part of the island to the United States government. This land was bought specifically to build a lighthouse.
The first lighthouse was finished in 1828. Gershom Smith became its first keeper, the person in charge of keeping the light burning. At that time, the island was known as Smith Island. The original light used oil to shine brightly.
Modern Upgrades: A Brighter Beam
In 1857, the lighthouse got an upgrade! It received a special lens called a Fresnel lens. This type of lens makes the light much stronger and brighter.
Then, in 1868, the old lighthouse tower was replaced. A new, beautiful Victorian-style building was constructed. It was made of strong limestone and had a new, taller light tower built right into its roof. The 1857 Fresnel lens was moved into this new structure.
The light from this new tower was 51 feet (about 15.5 meters) above the water. This meant ships could see its beam from more than 12 miles (about 19 kilometers) away! This lighthouse was designed just like others in the area, including those at Great Captain Island Light, Morgan Point Light, Old Field Point Light, Plum Island Light, and Block Island North Light.
In 1900, another lighthouse called Greens Ledge Light was built nearby. It was in a better spot to warn ships about dangerous rocks and shallow areas near Norwalk Harbor. Because of this, Sheffield Island Light was turned off in 1902. It was no longer needed for navigation.
The lighthouse was sold in 1914 to Thorsten O. Stabell. Many years later, in 1986, the Norwalk Seaport Association bought the old building. They wanted to fix it up and bring it back to life! In 1989, the lighthouse was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's recognized as an important historical site.
In 1993, an electric generator was added to the building. However, a big storm later that year flooded the basement, and some old items were lost.
Visiting Today: Explore the Island
The Norwalk Seaport Association started a ferry service to the island in 2002. You can still take a ferry to visit the island and the lighthouse today!
In October 2011, the lighthouse light was turned on again. This time, it uses a solar-powered system, which is great for the environment. The light now shines only towards Norwalk and is not used to guide ships anymore. It's mostly there for people to enjoy and remember its history.
See also
