Stony Point Light facts for kids
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| Stony Point Light seen from the remains of the British fort | |
 Stony Point Light
Location in New York
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| Location | Stony Point Battlefield, Stony Point, New York |
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| Coordinates | 41°14′29″N 73°58′20″W / 41.24139°N 73.97222°W |
| Year first constructed | 1826 |
| Year first lit | 1826 |
| Automated | 1973 |
| Deactivated | 1925-1995 |
| Foundation | Surface Rock |
| Construction | Fieldstone |
| Tower shape | Octagonal |
| Markings / pattern | White w/ Black Lantern |
| Height | 30 feet (9.1 m) |
| Focal height | 58 feet (18 m) |
| Original lens | 8 patent lamps, 12-inch (300 mm) reflectors |
| Current lens | Fourth order Fresnel lens on loan from USCG and Hudson River Maritime Museum |
| Characteristic | Fl W 4s - Flashing White 4 seconds |
| ARLHS number | USA-923 |
| USCG number | 1-37895 |
The Stony Point Light is the oldest lighthouse on the Hudson River. It is found at the Stony Point Battlefield in Stony Point, New York. Lighthouses are tall towers with bright lights. They help guide ships safely, especially at night or in bad weather.
Contents
Why Was Stony Point Light Built?
The Stony Point Light was built in 1826. A man named Thomas Phillips built it. Its main job was to warn ships. It kept them away from the dangerous rocks of the Stony Point peninsula. A peninsula is a piece of land almost surrounded by water.
Busy Waters: The Erie Canal's Impact
Just one year before the lighthouse was finished, the Erie Canal was completed. This canal connected New York City to the middle of America. It made the Hudson River much busier. Many more ships started using the river. Because of this, it became very important to have lights and other tools to help ships navigate.
What Does the Lighthouse Look Like?
The Stony Point Light has a special design. It is shaped like an eight-sided pyramid. This shape is called an octagonal pyramid. The whole lighthouse is made of stone.
Who Lived in the Lighthouse?
This lighthouse worked for almost 100 years. During that time, many different people worked as lighthouse keepers. They were in charge of keeping the light burning. The most famous family to live there was the Rose family. Their home, the Rose home, is also a historic building.
From Old to New: The Lighthouse's Journey
The Stony Point Light stopped working in 1925. This means it was "decommissioned." It was no longer used to guide ships. In 1941, a park group took over the lighthouse.
Becoming a Historic Place
In 1979, the lighthouse was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This list includes important buildings, sites, and objects. Being on this list helps protect them.
Bringing the Light Back
Years later, in 1986, work began to fix up the lighthouse. Different groups worked together to restore it. They repaired the outside and painted it. They also put new glass in the top part where the light shines.
On October 7, 1995, the restoration was finished. The light was turned on again for the first time in 70 years! Now, the light works automatically. It uses power from the sun. It flashes a light once every four seconds. Today, people can visit the Stony Point Light.
Images for kids
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Stony Point Light seen from the remains of the British fort
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Close-up view of the lighthouse
