Stepping Stones Light facts for kids
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 Stepping Stones Light
Location in New York
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| Location | Long Island Sound, in Nassau County, New York. Marks outer end of reef |
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| Coordinates | 40°49′27.6″N 73°46′29.1″W / 40.824333°N 73.774750°W |
| Year first constructed | 1877 |
| Year first lit | 1877 |
| Automated | 1967 |
| Foundation | Granite and concrete pier |
| Construction | Red brick |
| Tower shape | Square, red brick, granite trim, black and white lantern |
| Markings / pattern | White band on southwest face of pier |
| Height | 46 feet (14 m) |
| Focal height | 46 feet (14 m) |
| Original lens | Fifth order Fresnel, 1877 |
| Current lens | 12 inches (300 mm) |
| Range | 8 nautical miles (15 km; 9.2 mi) |
| Characteristic | Green light occulting every 4 sec |
| Admiralty number | J0923 |
| ARLHS number | USA-811 |
| USCG number | 1-21505 |
The Stepping Stones Light is an old-fashioned lighthouse found in Long Island Sound, in Nassau County, New York. This lighthouse has a square shape and is built from red brick. It stands about one and a half stories tall.
The Stepping Stones Light looks almost exactly like the Hudson–Athens Lighthouse. Today, the U.S. Coast Guard manages this lighthouse. It is still in use, but you cannot visit inside.
The Story Behind the Name
The rocky area where the lighthouse stands got its name from old stories. These stories come from the Siwanoy (Minnefords) Native American tribe.
According to their legend, the tribe used special powers to chase a devil out of what is now Westchester County, New York. They trapped him on City Island. To escape, the devil picked up huge rocks and threw them into Long Island Sound. He used these rocks like stepping stones to get away. Because of this story, the natives called these rocks "The Devil's Stepping Stones."
A Historic Lighthouse
The Stepping Stones Light was added to a special list of historic places. This list is called the National Register of Historic Places. It was added on September 15, 2005.
Later, the government decided the lighthouse was "extra." A law called the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act helps transfer old lighthouses to local groups. This helps save them. In 2008, the lighthouse was given to the Town of North Hempstead.
Saving the Lighthouse
In 2014, the Town of North Hempstead teamed up with two groups. These were the Great Neck Historical Society and the Great Neck Park District. They worked together to raise money to fix up the lighthouse.
The National Park Service gave $165,000 for the repairs. New York State Senator Jack Martins also gave $100,000. These funds helped a lot with the restoration work.
Images for kids
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USCG historical photo, undated
